Charlie from New Jersey writes:
After removing a virus from my computer I’m unable to install anything. A message comes up saying: Windows Installer is missing….I’m using Vista, 32 Home Premium Version. Can you help? Thank you
Answer:
A damaging virus can leave your computer in shambles. The Windows installer service is a common target of viruses and without it, as you found out, you’re unable to install programs. Luckily, detailed information is available from Microsoft to fix this issue. You can click here to access the Microsoft support knowledge base article entitled “Error “The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed” when installing or updating programs on Windows 7 or Windows Vista.“
A word of caution, it is CRITICAL you copy any registry information exactly as it is typed, as a mistype here can prevent the fix from working or worse, cause additional problems. Copying and pasting is a better plan than typing it all out manually. Copy and paste by using the selection tool to choose the text you wish to copy. Then right-click to copy/paste or use the Ctrl + C (copy) or Ctrl + V (paste).
-Tim
You can click here to access the Microsoft support knowledge base article …
I clicked and followed the instructions and nothing worked to fix my problem with Windows Installer. I found further information on the site and tried those and still nothing worked. I don’t know what to do now except take my computer back to factory specs and start over. I’ve been working on this problem for over three months because I have taken my computer back to specs before and it takes a good three weeks to get everything back where it needs to be. I didn’t want to have to do it again unless absolutely necessary and it seems as if it will be. (big sigh)
I would recommend a clean reinstall of Windows OS. That is, a complete format of your Windows partition. Make sure you make a backup of all your important files and folders. If you have a second partition, copy them there. If you don’t, use an external hard drive or a flash disk and, while installing Windows, create two partitions. Windows partition should have 30GB, the most. In the future, you can use the second partition to store all of your important data. In case the operating system crashes again, you will not lose them.