Fix: Windows Installer or Windows Updates do not work

Problem: You cannot install any applications that use the Windows Installer service. You get errors like “Windows installer service cant start Error 193:0xc1.”

Fix: The installer service is corrupted or its start value is changed.

This is quite a common issue for some reason. Users may also encounter errors when trying to use Windows Update to get the latest updates from Microsoft. I’ll list two possible fixes.

THE FIRST METHOD:

We will reset the Windows Installer service.

1. Please open a new command prompt window. (If you’re using Vista make sure to run it in administrator mode.)
2. Type in: “net stop msiserver” Press enter.
3. Type in: “MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER” Press enter.
4. Type in: “MSIEXEC /REGSERVER” Press enter.
5. Type in: “net start msiserver” Press enter.

THE SECOND METHOD:

The second method is extremely simple. You need to go to Add/Remove Programs (or Programs and Features in Windows Vista) and uninstall the Windows Installer program. Then go to the Microsoft Website and reinstall the program. You can find the link to the Windows Installer Installation program here.

Good luck! If you have any questions just ask in the comments/forums.