Windows Installer service NOT startable in normal mode, runs fine in safe mode with registry change

Question

Hello,
since about a month ago, I am unable to install any program that uses the Windows installer (msiserver) during the installation in normal mode.
In the service overview (services.msc) the service is shown as stopped and the start mode is manual. Any attempt to start the service (either via services.msc or via "net start msiserver") fails with error code 1053

Interestingly, starting Windows in safe mode, and using kb2098-run-windows-installer-service-in-safe-mode to allow MSIServer to run in safe mode, the service starts and the installation of programs largely works as normal (apart from programs that try to start services that are disabled in safe mode).

SFC /SCANNOW and DISM repair-a-windows-image report no corruptions.

MSIExec /unregister fails with error (0xc0000142)
MSIExec /regserver also fails with error (0xc0000142)

I suspect that due to the error, updates are also not able to install and fail. I installed 22H2 using an in-place upgrade, which did not resolve the error.

A malware/virus scan using Windows Defender or Malwarebytes Antimalware also show no infections.

Is there anything I can try apart from a reinstallation of Windows?

Yours
Stefan

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System information:
Windows 11 Pro, 22H2 (error also occured on 21H1)
Build 22621

Hardware:
Asus Z370-P
Intel Core i3-8350K
16 GB DDR4 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030
Samsung 960 Pro

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Answer 1

Hello,

The error 0xc0000142 indicates that "Corrupt or damaged application files". You can try to check also the setting for initialising DLL in the registry.

1.Open Run command (Shortcut: Windows + R), type regedit and hit enter.

2.Once here, navigate to this location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Windows\LoadAppInit_DLLs

3. Double click on LoadAppInit_DLL, and inside the Value Data box, change value from 1 to 0.
4. Save your changes, exit and try launching your application or game.

Last but not least, it seems that this level of corruption only gets fixed in most cases by reinstalling the system, or running Windows factory reset, Under ‘Update&Security - Recover - Reset this PC’. Maybe that will clear out any failure that happened.

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