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Error 2203. Can't install/uninstall programs.

Anonymous
2012-02-17T05:10:06+00:00

every time i try to install/uninstall a program the same error code pops up:

Error 2203. An internal error has occurred. (C:\Windows\Installe178c5687.ipi-2147287035) Contact Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS) for assistance. For information about how to contact PSS, see C:\Users\Name\AppData\Local\Temp\Setup0000126c\PSS10R.CHM.

i managed to get as far as the setup0000126c but after that i can't find PSS. what do?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-02-17T23:53:12+00:00

    Hi,

    Perform the following troubleshooting methods:

    Method 1:

    Follow the steps below and check if it helps.

    a.       Go to Start.

    b.      Type %temp% in the search box and then click the Temp folder item that appears at the top. 

    c.       At the top of the Explorer window, in the address bar, click the folder to the left of Temp in the folder path (Local by default).

    d.      In the folder list, right-click the Temp folder and then click Properties and then click the Security tab.

    e.      Click the Edit button and on the next screen click Add.

    f.        On the next screen, in the large text window type Everyone and then click Check Names - Everyone should then be underlined.

    g.       Check the box for Full control under the Allow column, and then click OK, then OK again, and OK again to close all the windows.

    Method 2:

    Unregister and re-register the Windows Installer.

    Follow the steps:

    a.       Click Start, click Run, type “msiexec /unregister” (without quotes), and then click OK. Even if    you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs.

    b.      Click Start, click Run, type “msiexec /regserver” (without quotes), and then click OK.

    **Note:**Even if you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs, or you may briefly see an hourglass. After you run this command, the operation is complete.

    c.       Try to install the programs you wish to install and check.

    100+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-04T09:11:09+00:00

    I had this problem also and it was caused because several programs and installer are retaining the fixed temp directory used during installation, in my case T:\TEMP (=%TEMP%) in the mean time this temp directory was for some reason moved/changed to C:\TEMP. Now during the uninstall the procedure still tries to find T:\TEMP which results in a 2203 error i.o.w. it has nothing to do with security as mentioned on the web. It is of course ridiculous that the installer or programs are failing on finding the temporary directory and that they save a reference to it during install, It is a TEMPORARY (get the meaning) directory so nothing is or should be saved there and it should absolutely not cause a critical error.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-30T08:40:39+00:00

    hi, trying to uninstall Microsoft Office and getting this 2203 error.

    tried the suggestion method 1 above with no luck .

    what else can I do ??

    I have window 8.1

    I found the problem was that the TEMP directory used during install was in the mean time relocated to another location on a RAM disk, i.e. instead of C:\TEMP it was now T:\TEMP. For some reason the installer keep track of the fixed location in this case C:\TEMP instead of %TEMP% or %TMP%, this is the cause of the problem, the installer looks for C:\TEMP which does not exists anymore, so make sure the original TEMP-directory exists during UN-install. The main problem of course is why the **** keeps the installer track of the TEMP directory IT IS TEMPORARY so ignore any problems with it.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2014-11-16T06:10:38+00:00

    Thanks bro it's working...........!!!!!!!!!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2015-11-29T19:57:32+00:00

    hi, trying to uninstall Microsoft Office and getting this 2203 error.

    tried the suggestion method 1 above with no luck .

    what else can I do ??

    I have window 8.1

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