Windows Installer Error Code 2203

Question

I'm unable to install updates to TurboTax 2009 - reason given is Windows Installer Error Code 2203. I had the same problem when I tried the manual workaround (download files and install manually) that TurboTax suggested. Also can't install Java updates.

Can someone help? Thanks. By the way I'm running VHP 32 bit.

Answer 1

Hi crestonave,

Since you are having no issues updating the software from a new user account it looks like that the old user account is corrupted and you will need to fix it by transferring the files from old user account to new user account.

For more information refer the below link.

Fix a corrupted user profile

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

Hope this helps!

Halima S    - Microsoft Support.

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 2

update error codes 800b010a

Answer 3

Also check to make sure that your temp directories all have appropriate permissions. If the SYSTEM account doesn't have write rights, then installs will fail. Check your user temp directory which usually is at C:\Users<user>\AppData\Local\Temp and make sure the permissions allow write or full control.

Answer 4

I'd like to continue this thread because I've so far been unable to resolve the issue. Some additional information:

I worked with a Microsoft tech on this who made every effort to be helpful but we were only able to come up with a "workaround" on the problem. The "workaround" was to use a differed user account which is temporarily OK but doesn't really solve the issue. See SRX1124552464ID - SRX1124552464‏

Certain updates work OK - for example, Windows Update and Trend Micro.

Certain updates give me error code 2203 - for example, Adobe, TurboTax, Windows Live Messenger

However I have no issues updating from a different user account.

The problem appears to be more extensive than I first thought. For example, all of my pics are under my primary user account. When I attempt to share them with another user account, I get a list back showing the folders that I've shared - but when I ask to see the folders I've shared, nothing is found. When I log on under the different user account, I don't see the photos.

If I save a file - for example, a PDF, it shows in recent places, but when I attempt to find it using the search function at the bottom of the startup page, it doesn't appear.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestion?

Thanks.

Answer 5

Hi crestonave,

• Do you receive similar error with java updates?

First I would suggest that you check if the windows installer service is running on the computer.

Method 1: Stop and Restart the Windows Installer Service

1.    Click on the start menu, and then click on search box

2.    In the Start Search box type Services.msc and then click the Services item that appears at the top. 

3.    Expand the Services window and then scroll down to Windows Installer.

4.    Right-click the Windows Installer list item and then click Stop right-click again and then click Start.

Make sure that windows installer service is “Started” and set to “Automatic”

If the above step fails then try re registering the windows installer dll files.

Method 2: Unregister and reregister Windows Installer files.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type msiexec /unreg, and then press ENTER.
3. Click Start, and then click Run.
4. In the Open box, type msiexec /regserver, and then press ENTER.

If the above step fails then try downloading and installing the windows installer cleanup utility later launch the cleanup utility from the start menu and then remove the entries for the software then restart the computer for changes to take effect and now try reinstalling the software and check.

Description of the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility

http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/9/d/e9d80355-7ab4-45b8-80e8-983a48d5e1bd/msicuu2.exe

If the above step fails then try installing the latest version of Windows installer and check if it works.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f9f4&displaylang=en

If the above steps fail then you may try posting your query in the TurboTax community, refer the below link.

http://turbotax.intuit.com/support/

Hope this helps!

Halima S    - Microsoft Support.

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.