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Error Code 2503 & 2502 when installing .msi file

Anonymous
2014-09-04T00:37:24+00:00

I've seen multiple posts with the same issue but no solution or reason why this problem occures.

I'm on Windows 8.1 and I'm trying to install Charles Proxy (filename: charles-proxy-3.9.2-win64.msi) but keep getting Error Code 2502 and 2503 while installing. I have a Windows 8.1 computer at work where I haven't had the same issues. Yet. This file doesn't allow me to "Run As Administrator". I'm guessing it is because it is a .msi file? 

This have happened before on other installations. Then I solved it by restarting explorer.exe as admin. This is how ever a bad work-around. I want the issue solved once and for all.

Things I've tried without any luck:

  • Clean boot
  • Microsoft Security Scanner (or what it's called) with no infected files found
  • Uninstalled AVG Anti Virus
  • MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER & MSIEXEC /REGSERVER
  • Made sure Windows Installer Service was running

None of these methods worked.

I first noticed this issue a few months back when the e-mail client eM Client failed to update with the same error. As far as I remember, nothing specific changed on the machine before that. Except from the usual Windows Updates.

It would be awesome if someone at MS could comment about this issue more than the usual copy/paste answer with the above suggestions.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T22:16:26+00:00

    I've been able to solve this problem now using the tip in this thread:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/windows-8-install-some-software-using-msi/48881523-1a5d-4c43-abc4-01b1ce3ebf3a

    All I needed to do was to give my user full access to the folder: C:\Windows\Temp

    You should add that to your copy/paste-answer on what to try. :)

    Thanks for your help, anyway!

    40+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-15T18:09:53+00:00

    Windows support engineers are always suggesting these things to fix problems. But so far I have not had it work once, and have not read any issues where the problem was fixed by either of these methods.  At least find a similar issue and give us a link to a real solution.  Not just unplug the computer and reboot type garbage....

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-09T14:12:29+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for keeping us updated on the status of the issue.

    I am sorry for late response.

    I am glad that you managed to fix the issue.

    I appreciate your efforts.

    Please feel free to reply, in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.

    Thank you

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T22:08:53+00:00

    Hi and thanks for your suggestions.

    Unfortunately, neither Microsoft fixit or System FIle Checker found any inconsistencies.

    No hardware or software changes were made before this issue started. Except from the regular Windows Updates and I've already checked if there have been any problems with those. I couldn't find any problems in the log.

    Since I can install the applications if I restart explorer.exe with "Run As Administrator", shouldn't be a permission problem?

    The account I'm using (the only one on the computer) is set as administrator, though.

    Kind of **** having a computer that you can't install software on. =/

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T12:44:24+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft community forum.

    I would like to know some information about the issue so that we could help you better.

    Did you make any hardware or software changes to your computer prior to the issue?

    I appreciate your efforts towards resolving the issue.

    This issue may occur due to the following reasons:

    • Windows installer issues.
    • Installing or updating programs in Windows may not have completed successfully.
    • Windows files are missing or corrupt.

    I would suggest you to try following methods and check if it helps.

    Method 1:

    Please run this Microsoft fixit and check the issue.

    Refer:

    Fix problems that programs cannot be installed or uninstalled

    http://support.microsoft.com/mats/program_install_and_uninstall

    If it does not help, then use method 2.

    Method 2:

    Run system file checker(SFC) and check.

    Refer:

    Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

    Note: It may ask for Windows installation DVD to fix and to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs. Some files saved on your computer might get deleted when fixing corrupted files.

    System file checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

    I hope this information helps.

    Please do let us know if you need any further assistance.

    Thank you

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