Cannot finish installing Visual Studio 2022. Error 1601

Question

I've attempted to install Visual Studio 2022 multiple times. The installation was at the "Cleanup" stage, then the installer would quit with an error message. Error Code: 1601. The installation log shows:

Package 'Microsoft.VisualCpp.Redist.14,version=14.38.33130,chip=x64' failed to install.
    Search URL
        https://aka.ms/VSSetupErrorReports?q=PackageId=Microsoft.VisualCpp.Redist.14;PackageAction=Install;ReturnCode=1601
    Details
        Command executed: "c:\windows\syswow64\\windowspowershell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -NoLogo -NoProfile -Noninteractive -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -InputFormat None -Command "& """C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Packages\Microsoft.VisualCpp.Redist.14,version=14.38.33130,chip=x64\VCRedistInstall.ps1""" -PayloadDirectory """C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Packages\Microsoft.VisualCpp.Redist.14,version=14.38.33130,chip=x64""" -Architecture x64 -Logfile """C:\Users\userName\AppData\Local\Temp\dd_setup_20240117165747_258_Microsoft.VisualCpp.Redist.14.log"""; exit $LastExitCode"
        Return code: 1601
        Return code details: The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.

I chat with Online Support, and they pinpointed it to the installation of the C++ Redistributable package located at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Packages\Microsoft.VisualCpp.Redist.14,version=14.38.33130,chip=x64. Manually installing this package from this directory would give the same error about the Windows Installer Service not correctly installed. I checked this service, and I was able to confirm it was working correctly. It's set to Manual, but does run when an installation starts. I can install Visual 2019 on the same day without any problems. So, I think there's a problem with the VS2022 installer. Please let me know how Microsoft is going to address this issue.

Answer 1

Hi @Hai Bui, 

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A! 

Have you checked for your Windows Update?

Please try installing the latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable X64 architecture from the page. 

Then, go to the Visual Studio Installer and repair/retry the VS installation.

If it doesn’t work, you can view: How to troubleshoot Windows Installer errors and try the "Fix problems that programs cannot be installed or uninstalled" troubleshooter.  

Sincerely,

Anna

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Answer 2

I have solved this problem. As previously noted, the installation failure came from the installation of the C++ Redistributable Package, x64, version 14.38.33130. I had to reset Windows Update with the following commands:

net stop cryptsvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
net stop wuauserv
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
net start wuauserv

Then restarted Windows, and then ran the C++ Redistributable Package Installer separately. This time, the Redistributable installation was completed successfully. I then came back to re-running the Visual Studio 2022 Installer. I had to select "Modify" and uncheck one of the previously selected components to proceed. Then the Visual Studio 2022 installation would complete successfully. I then went back and modified the existing VS2022 installation again to add back the previously unchecked component. I had to run through these hoops because if I selected the "Repair" option with VS2022, this would run the C++ Redistributable Package's "Repair" option as well, and that would fail the install again, with the same error. I haven't seen such a fundamental quality issue with Microsoft products (recently,) but this is rather disappointing. I hope there's a bug report opened (or having been opened) for the installation of the C++ Redistributable package.