JSI Tip 4779. Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP issues a 'The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed' message?

Jerold Schulman

January 31, 2002

1 Min Read
ITPro Today logo in a gray background | ITPro Today


When you install Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP, you receive:

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed.Contact your support personnel for assistance.

This will occur if Microsoft Office XP is installed and the Office XP Windows Installer has been corrupted.

To fix the problem, you must be logged on with Administrative privileges:

01. Start / Control Panel.

02. If you are not using Classic View, press Switch to Classic View.

03. Navigate to Administrative Tools / Services.

04. Right-click Windows Installer and press Stop.

05. Press File / Exit and close Administrative Tools if it is still open.

06. Press Start / Run / CMD / OK.

07. Type cd /d %systemroot%System32 and press Enter.

08. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:

ren Msi.dll msi.old ren Msiexec.exe msiexec.oldren Msihnd.dll msihnd.old

09. Close the CMD prompt.

10. Insert the Office XP CD-ROM and browse the root of the CD-ROM drive.

11. Double-click INSTMSIW.EXE.

12. Press OK to the Windows Installer Setup completed successfully message when it appears.

13. Shutdown and restart your computer.



Read more about:

Microsoft
Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.

You May Also Like