Error description: The system cannot find the path specified while installing SQL Server 2022 Express

Question

Michael 0

I am facing an error while installing Microsoft SQL Server 2022.

In the log file, the error says:

Component name: SQL Server Database Engine Services Instance Features

Component error code: 0x80004005

Error description: The system cannot find the path specified

I have tried installation through basic and custom. Both are giving me the same error as above.

Attached is the summary file. Summary.txt

Please let me know how I can solve this issue and install SQL Server 2022 Express. Thank you!

Michael 0 Reputation points

2024-12-16T18:38:39.64+00:00

Here is the summary file Summary.txt
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-12-16T22:36:59.4033333+00:00

We would need to see details.txt to be able to understand what file that is missing. Although, it seems that this error is often due to making multiple installation attempts and then doing some attempts to cleanup in between, causing Setup to fail with a different error from the original one. But we'll see when we have details.txt.
LiHongMSFT-4306 31,621 Reputation points

2024-12-17T02:42:52.13+00:00

Hi @Michael

Could you also attach the Detail.txt file?

View and Read SQL Server Setup Log Files - SQL Server | Microsoft Learn
Michael 0 Reputation points

2024-12-19T21:47:00.1433333+00:00

@LiHongMSFT-4306 and @Erland Sommarskog Thank you very much for taking the time to help troubleshoot this issue.

However, I was able to figure out the issue on my own. It was due to multiple installation attempts, which I had to clean up manually.

Now I have installed it successfully. Thanks again!
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-12-19T21:51:57.6566667+00:00

That's wonderful! I am always surprised when someone who has been in this quagmire actually ends up with a successful installation. It's not a fun situation to be in, and takes an awful lot of time to sort it out.

Your answer

Michael 0 Reputation points

2024-12-16T18:38:39.64+00:00

Here is the summary file Summary.txt
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-12-16T22:36:59.4033333+00:00

We would need to see details.txt to be able to understand what file that is missing. Although, it seems that this error is often due to making multiple installation attempts and then doing some attempts to cleanup in between, causing Setup to fail with a different error from the original one. But we'll see when we have details.txt.
LiHongMSFT-4306 31,621 Reputation points

2024-12-17T02:42:52.13+00:00

Hi @Michael

Could you also attach the Detail.txt file?

View and Read SQL Server Setup Log Files - SQL Server | Microsoft Learn
Michael 0 Reputation points

2024-12-19T21:47:00.1433333+00:00

@LiHongMSFT-4306 and @Erland Sommarskog Thank you very much for taking the time to help troubleshoot this issue.

However, I was able to figure out the issue on my own. It was due to multiple installation attempts, which I had to clean up manually.

Now I have installed it successfully. Thanks again!
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-12-19T21:51:57.6566667+00:00

That's wonderful! I am always surprised when someone who has been in this quagmire actually ends up with a successful installation. It's not a fun situation to be in, and takes an awful lot of time to sort it out.