Have you ever tried updating a Windows program that uses Windows Installer (MSI) technology and no matter what you do you fail to complete the task? You can’t uninstall, update or remove the program because some files are missing or the Windows Installer database is corrupt. No matter what you do you are stuck with a broken installation. That is where the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility comes to the rescue.
The issue looks something like this when you try to run the installer of your program:
Installing Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
Don’t think too much about the fact that the installer says Microsoft Office Update. It properly just means that the tools were developed by the Microsoft Office Team.
The installation is pretty straight forward and the tools are very easy to use. The installer is only 351 KB. My biggest issue was to find the program in the Start Menu after installing the tool 🙂
When you start up the tool you will see a list of programs all installed with the Windows Installer technology. It will look something like this:
Before you continue it might be a good time to think about a backup of your system. I have never had any problem with this tool myself, but the tool is making changes to your system so just in case, it might be a good idea to make backup first. When you are ready to move on you simply just find and Select the program you are having trouble with and click Remove. The tool will now remove all entries about the program from the Windows Installer database and the “Programs and Features” list.
When this is done your computer have no references to the program you are having trouble with and you can now install it from scratch without getting the error you saw in the top of this post 🙂
If you don’t need to remove other programs you can simply just uninstall the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility again.
Download Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
The tool has been discontinued from Microsoft TechNet, but it still works great and I often use it myself. You can download the tool here on my blog.
Hi Thomas,
I was also stuck once while installation and I wish I had known about this Cleanup utility. Its very helpful and I will remember to use it next time I face such issue.
Thomas, thanks for this tool, I think it will come in very handy. One question though, any reason for this tool being discontinued? Seems a bit counter intuitive to me to discard such a great tool.
Hi Frank.
The tool is pretty old and Microsoft says that they have seen some issues with the tool. I have used it a lot of times and have never had any issues with the tool. Microsoft has made a Fix it tool instead, but I prefer to repair the issues myself.
You can see what Microsoft says to this matter here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2438651
This seems easy and helpful but have not yet tried anything of the sort at home. May be I will try this next time before going to an expert. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Fatima
That you have not had this kind of issue is a good thing. This tool is something that is only needed if something has happened with the Windows Installer database that most Windows programs are using. Let’s hope you will never need to use this little tool 😉
This seems simple and beneficial but have not yet tried anything of the type at house. May be I will try this when before going to an professional. Thanks for discussing.
Hey Thomas,
I still hope you remember me. Anyway, nice post! It’s very informative and helpful as usual. I did encounter some broken installations on my Windows. It’s a pain in the neck because it sometimes affects my work. I am really glad I ran into your post. Very helpful and very entertaining as well. The screenshots made it easy to understand. Expect me to try this one out. Thanks for sharing this Thomas.
Oh, I have encountered this particular error so many times and I really wish I had known about Windows Installer CleanUp Utility a long time ago. I blame it on myself for being such a noob with installing and uninstalling programs because I have always ended up giving up on it and asking someone else for help.
Thanks, it worked for me. I did without backup !
Cheers Thomas, good to hear that the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility still works well despite it being 5 years since it was first released. Definitely wise to always backup data though.
Hello Thomas,
This tool is a life saver. I downloaded a game of 15GB recently and the installation file was corrupted and it was giving me the error, until I use this tool clean the mess up. It saved lots of disappointment for sure. I don’t know why they discontinued it. It is superb thanks for sharing.
Oh, okay. SO that is how we’re supposed to fix a broken installation of a window program. Nice one! Thanks for such a helpful post! 🙂
I experienced the same thing before, but since I haven’t read this yet, I had someone to fix it for me. Now I know what to do. And all thanks to you! 🙂
I think it will come in very useful. One query though, any purpose for this device being discontinued? Seems a bit reverse user-friendly to me to eliminate such a useful gizmo.
Hi Thomas,
This is very informative. Thanks you for this very helpful tutorial. I already used this and it is really effective. BTW, I can’t turn on my Windows Security Service Center. It says that it can’t be started. Do you know how to troubleshoot this problem?
Hi Thomas,
I am also in IT field. I have never tried window installer cleanup utility before. I also read news that Microsoft discontinued this utility. But the sound good that utility still working well without any issue. Now I want to try it.
this is the best way to fix the broken installation, Thanks for solving my problem
Hi Thoma,
You give the nice information for fix a broken installation of a Windows Program. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, I was not aware about it. A software was not working on my PC. But now I’m going to try this and hope this time, it will work.
yes very goods tips how to fix this issue i have now i am going to try this thanks
Great tips on how to fix a broken installation on windows. I’ve used this application a few times. Very useful.
Sometimes its just better to re install windows and start again
i’v had the same laptop for 3 years and sadly due to missuse and lazyness i have had to fix so many issues and this blog, & others like it have helped alot
thanks for the content dude
will ofc +1 you on my social networks x
Hi Jack
Sometime we need to reinstall, but it can be very time consuming to reinstall all the programs again. With this little tool we can easily fix the issue.
Hey there!
Thank-you so much for sharing this!
I have been facing problems with windows installation from last some days, I was just thinking to take it to some specialist but now I think I’ll get it done by myself 😀
Thank-you for saving my money 😀
This is a good tip. I have used this application before and it solved my problem when I used it. When I want to bring out the “big guns” I use Revo Uninstaller.
Hi,
Very nice and informative post. I have faced this issue about two times but I was not able to solve this but now when I will see this I think I will solve thanks for this.
thanks for sharing this article . my problem is now solve thanks again