Windows Update / Windows Installer Error Codes 641 and 80070641

Question

I am using a Windows vista Home Premium SP2 OS and have been having this problem for a couple of months now ... and the fix (that keeps on working for me) came from Microsoft Email Support. 

I have just had the problem (11 Windows updates that wouldn't install) AGAIN and this fix worked ... again ... although I still don't understand what is changing the registry entries that are related to the Windows Installer.  If anyone knows a log file to inspect to find what's causing the registry changes, please let me know!

I'm inserting below a link to the thread where I posted the fix that Microsoft Email Support gave me. 

Additionally, I'm trying to determine what is causing this.  I'm wondering if Iolo's - System Mechanic Professional could be the culprit.  If anyone is experiencing this problem ... and running Iolo's System Mechanic Professional ... please sound off!

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_update/error-code-641-in-windows-update/c87527d0-1faa-4e1f-bc5a-876280c430a5?page=2

Additionally, you might have to reboot after you import the "Installer.reg" file into your registry ... at least I had to this last time I had this problem.

Best wishes,

Rick

Answer 1

@meteor242 (Rick)

You need to do one more reg fix to restore the Reg association to Regedit.

(This too was zapped by System Mechanic).

This are for VISTA systems <<<---

Download this file from Ramesh S http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/regfix\_vista.zip

Save it to your DESKTOP.

EXtract the contents to your DESKTOP.

go to Start, type in

REGEDIT and press Enter-key

from main menu, select File

then select IMPORT

navigate the dialog (click on DESKTOP icon on left to select it)

type in regfix_vista.reg in the Filename text-box and click Open button.

Once the merge is complete, you will see a confirmation message.

Click OK when done. Close regedit.

Answer 2

@ms74  and anyone else having a windows update exception failure of 0x00000641 or 0x80070641

Windows update exception code 0x00000641 / 0x80070641 usually indicates an issue with the Windows Installer service.

Sometimes it is due to a difficulty in accessing it;  sometimes it means it's missing, or inactive (disabled) for some reason.

If you have used Iolo System Mechanic for automated (auto-fix) runs, and have these exception codes, the likely cause is an overagressive fix by this app.

First suggestion is to Undo recent fixes by S M, then insure it's not set to autorun or autofix.

See this MS support article

Error “The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed” when installing or updating programs on Windows 7 or Windows Vista

Note: if your Windows is XP or Win Server 2003, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315346

This is for Windows 7 or Vista:

Do Method 1 using the FIX-It option button. Then do method 2 and 3 Restart Windows fresh as needed. 

Retry Windows Update one more time.

If this helps, mark (click)  Helpful as appropos. If this resolves your problem, mark (click) Answer  as appropos.

As a sidebar: The Fix-it in method 1 will put the Windows installer registry entry back into your registry.Methods 2 & 3 are to start the service & insure it has proper setting.

Do all 3.

In some selected cases, where the installer.exe is truly corrupted, it will take a download of the installer-package itself from the MS Download Center website, and a run of that package to put back in-place.

AS to just what in Iolo S M is originating the problem, I can't tell as of this date.

I state that after having helped a handful of cases here directly, and also by reading here and in several other threads.

Answer 3

Hi,

Thank you for keeping us updated.

Do let us know in future if you have any issues with Microsoft Windows.

Answer 4

I'm more interested in what's making the changes, rather than what changes are being made.  I might take the uninstall route to see it that helps, thanks.

Rick

Answer 5

---

Hello,

You can open the .reg file in Notepad to see what changes it is making.

You mention running System Mechanic Professional,

I would suggest that you uninstall the software and see if you still encounter the issue with their Windows Updates.

Refer:

Uninstall or change a program

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Uninstall-or-change-a-program