Error "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed" in Windows Vista

Error “the Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed” In Windows Vista

When you try to install a program which uses Windows Installer in a Windows Vista computer, you may receive the following error.

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.

This error may occur even though Windows is already in normal mode.

Resolution

Start the Windows Installer service

Click Start, type Services.msc and press {ENTER}
Double-click Windows Installer
Set the Startup type of Windows Installer to Manual
Click Start to start the service. Note down the error message if any.
Click OK.

Windows Installer Registry Fix

If the above steps do not help or if the Windows Installer service is not listed in the Services applet, follow these steps:

Download msiserver.zip and save it to Desktop.
Unzip the file and extract msiserver.reg to the Desktop.
Right-click msiserver.reg and choose Merge.
Click Yes when asked for confirmation.
Restart Windows.

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72 Responses to “Error “the Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed” In Windows Vista”

Pablo Villazon

said this on Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 6:25 pm

Thanks it works.
Dhanvanthri

said this on Friday, February 19th 2010 2:31 am

Ramesh Srinivasan YOU’RE GOOD!
Danielle

said this on Thursday, January 28th 2010 4:39 pm

this didn’t work I am still trying to install things (itunes) and this message continues to appear (windows vista OS)….any help is appreciated as i’ve moved out of home and just have one computer with vista…
jon

said this on Saturday, January 23rd 2010 12:07 am

This worked like a champ for windows xp.

Only problem now I can not see windows installer listed under services.msc. Anyway to correct this?
Pat

said this on Thursday, January 21st 2010 8:39 pm

Just want to tell you that I had spent a week on this Windows Installer thing. Tried everything that anyone on the Internet suggested. Nothing worked until I downloaded your msiserver.zip file.

I’m pretty sure this did the trick.

Wonderful board.

Thanks.
Jupinder

said this on Tuesday, January 19th 2010 9:34 pm

thanks a lot…..this WORKS
Aaron

said this on Saturday, January 16th 2010 9:30 pm

System Mechanic Professional solved my problem, windows vista
Aaron

said this on Saturday, January 16th 2010 7:33 pm

Thats not working on Windows vista, same problem. :(((((

vista: windows installer service could not be accessed code 1601
nini

said this on Thursday, December 31st 2009 7:44 am

thank you this wiorked very weell
Y.Z

said this on Wednesday, December 30th 2009 11:11 pm

thank you soooooo much