Table of contents
- What is the Error 1720 on Windows 10?
- How to Fix ‘There is a Problem with this Windows Installer Package’ on Windows 10
- Solution 1: Be sure to run the installer with administrative permissions
- Solution 2: Re-download the installer and setup files
- Solution 3: Run the troubleshooter
- Solution 4: Install pending Windows Updates
- Solution 5: Check Windows Installer for errors
- Solution 6: Re-register Windows Installer
- Solution 7: Restart the Windows Installer Service
- Solution 8: Re-Register the Scrrun.dll File
- Scan Your Registry for Issues: Final Thoughts
Are you looking for solutions on how to get rid of the Error 1720 in Windows 10 Installer? Well, you’ve come to the right page.
Windows users have been complaining about encountering this error on several occasions on their computers.
The Windows Installer performs some of the most critical tasks on the operating system, such as program installation, software removal, and maintenance.
The installer is packed with registry keys, shortcuts, and other metadata and usually carries out its functions without issues.
The thing is, errors can occur randomly. You may receive the following message:
“There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A script required for this install to complete could not be run.”
What is the Error 1720 on Windows 10?
The “Error 1720: There is a problem with this Windows Installer package” can be triggered by registry issues.
The error appears to affect Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 machines and pops up when a software update/upgrade or installation fails. It also appears when users try to uninstall programs.
The most annoying thing is that the error can be quite resilient and can interfere with your daily tasks. Fortunately, the error is temporary and can easily be fixed by the workarounds in this post.
How to Fix ‘There is a Problem with this Windows Installer Package’ on Windows 10
Solution 1: Be sure to run the installer with administrative permissions
Installing any third-party application requires administrative permissions for the process to succeed.
This is a standard requirement on all Windows machines that gives you more control over what gets installed on your device.
It’s a preventive measure that helps to keep applications from installing in the background. It also helps prevent the installation of malware.
Now, you might not have the proper permissions to install the program that triggered the Error 1720. Well, you can resolve it by running the installer as an administrator. Here’s how:
- Open the location in File Explorer containing the application you want to install.
- Right-click the installer and select Run as Administrator.
That’s it. If the issue was caused by a lack of administrator rights, this should fix it. If not, try the next troubleshooting step below.
Solution 2: Re-download the installer and setup files
An application package comprises several installation setup files or a single .exe file, accompanied by numerous DLL files.
If the download was incomplete, or for some reason one of the files got corrupted, the installation will fail and may trigger the Error 1720.
Besides, the file could have been corrupted by the presence of a virus in your computer. Your antivirus can also block the .exe file, deeming it malicious.
For that case, you should run a malware scan to eliminate any kinds of threats. Additionally, try re-downloading the file once again to check if this works.
You can also temporarily disable your antivirus software and try to run the installer. However, this is a risky move unless you are 100 percent certain that the application is trustworthy.
One more thing. Be sure your system meets the minimum requirements to run the program. Otherwise, the entire process will fail again.
Solution 3: Run the troubleshooter
Windows 10 comes with troubleshooting tools to help find and fix common computer problems. Usually, you’ll find the Troubleshoot option in the Settings app under this path:
Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Alternatively, you can open Control Panel and type “Troubleshoot” (no quotes) in the Search Control Panel input box.
However, the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter is not listed here, and you’ll have to download it to proceed with this process. Here are the steps:
- Go to Microsoft’s download page and click on the blue Download Troubleshooter button.
- Choose your preferred location to save the file and download it. Once downloaded, select Run or Open.
- Follow the instructions provided to complete the process. Once done, try to install or uninstall the problematic program to see if it goes through this time.
Solution 4: Install pending Windows Updates
The Error 1720 could be caused by a buggy Windows Installer. Typically, Windows releases updates periodically to address buggy updates and improve system performance. That’s why you’re always encouraged to keep your system up to date.
To check if there are pending Windows updates for your system, follow the guide below:
- Press the
Windows Key + Ito launch the Settings app.
- Type Updates in the Find a Setting input box and select Check for Updates.
- On the page that opens next, check if pending updates are waiting to be installed and install them. If no updates are displayed, click on the Check for Updates button and wait for Windows to search online for available updates. If updates are available, Windows will automatically download and install them on your machine.
Restart your Windows PC and try running the installer again. If you’re still getting the error, proceed to the next fix.
Solution 5: Check Windows Installer for errors
If Windows Installer is corrupted or disabled by mistake, you won’t be able to install anything on your machine. You need to make sure that it’s working accordingly. To do that:
- Press the
Windows + Rkeyboard shortcut. - Type CMD into the Run text box. Press the
Ctrl + Shift + Enterkey combination to launch Command Prompt with elevated rights.
- Type the command
MSIExecand press Enter. If everything checks out, a pop-up window with Windows Installer details will appear. If an error report is displayed instead, you’ll need to re-register Windows Installer.
Solution 6: Re-register Windows Installer
If the previous step shows a Windows Installer error report, you must re-register it to get rid of those errors, and hence the Error 1720. Follow these instructions for guidance:
- Open the Quick User Menu using the
Windows + Xshortcut and select Command Prompt (Admin). If the option is not available here, repeat Step 1 from Solution 5 above. - In the Command Prompt window, execute the commands:
exe /unregister
exe /regserver
- After the commands run successfully, exit Command Prompt and repeat the action that triggered the error in question to see if it has been resolved.
Related: Windows Command Prompt: 28 Most Useful CMD Commands [with Examples]
Solution 7: Restart the Windows Installer Service
Like we noted above, you or someone else may have disabled Windows Installer unintentionally. To check this fact and restart it, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows logo on your keyboard, type Services, and press Enter.
- In the Services window, locate Windows Installer and double-click on it to open its Properties.
- Under Service Status check if it says Running. If it does, click on Stop and then click on Start to run it again. If it says Stopped, click on Start to run it.
- Change the Startup Type to Automatic.
- Click on Apply > OK.
- Restart your computer to effect the changes and check if this fixes the “Error 1720: There is a problem with this Windows Installer package” issue.
Solution 8: Re-Register the Scrrun.dll File
Scrrun.dll is the Scripting Runtime DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file responsible for reading and writing scripts and text files.
It’s essential for your Windows machine to run properly and enables the installer to function accordingly. If it stops working, Windows Installer ceases to run correctly.
We’ll attempt to fix Windows Installer by re-registering the scrrun.dll file.
Here are the steps:
- Press the Windows Key, type
Servicesinto the Windows Search box, and hit Enter to launch the Services window.
- Navigate to the Windows Installer service, which should be toward the bottom of the page.
- Right-click on it and open its Properties.
- Select Manual under Startup Type.
- Click on Apply > OK and restart your PC.
- Next, open Command Prompt with administrator rights. To do that, press the
Windows + Rkey combination, type CMD, and hit theCtrl + Shift + Enterkeys at the same time. - On the elevated command prompt window, type or paste the commands below, one after the other, and then press Enter after each one:
For Windows (32-bit): cd C:\\Windows\\System32
For Windows (64-bit): cd C:\\Windows\\SysWow64
- Next, still on the Command Prompt window, type
regsvr32 scrrun.dllto re-register the DLL file. - Once done, reboot Windows and check if the error has disappeared.
Scan Your Registry for Issues: Final Thoughts
If none of these solutions gets rid of the Error 1720 in Windows 10 Installer, we recommend scanning the registry for corruption and other issues.
We mentioned at the beginning of this article that registry problems are mainly to blame for Windows Installer errors. We understand trying to identify corrupt keys or broken entries in such a vast database is nearly impossible.
That’s why we suggest an automatic repair tool like Auslogics BoostSpeed.
Download Auslogics BoostSpeed
Your one-stop PC maintenance and optimization tool, this program will clean, speed up, repair and tweak your system to ensure maximum speed and efficiency.
This application detects and fixes registry issues, stabilizing your PC. It’s safe, fast, and reliable. You don’t have to worry about the wrong keys or entries being deleted since the tool is designed to work with precision.
Cleaning the registry is recommended every once in a while to remove keys that may have been left behind after the uninstallation of programs. You don’t want them to accumulate since they’ll start causing issues.
Registry Cleaner is just one of the many tools that come with Auslogics BoostSpeed. You can also clean PC junk, defrag the registry and your hard disks, remove file duplicates, and so on.
What’s more, you can schedule automatic scans to ensure that your system runs at optimal levels every time you use it.
Sometimes, you can encounter the “There is a problem with this Windows Installer package” error while trying to install an application through an MSI installer. This error occurs if your system can’t run a script, program, or DLL file necessary for such operations. You will also encounter corresponding error messages in each case:
- Error 1720: There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A script required for this install to complete could not be run.
- Error 1721: There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run.
- Error 1722: There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program run as part of the setup did not finish as expected.
- Error 1723: There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A DLL required for this install to complete could not be run.
Even if they are different errors, you need similar solutions to resolve all of them. First, make sure to log in with an admin account and run the program as an administrator. Some installers require admin privileges to run properly. Also, make sure that there is enough space to install the application.
Re-register Windows Installer
Windows uses the MSIExec engine to run the MSI installer. If the registration of this engine becomes corrupt, you can’t run such installers. To resolve this issue, you need to unregister and then re-register the engine.
- Open Run.
- Type
cmdand press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Elevated Command Prompt. - Enter the following commands:
MSIExec /unregisterMSIExec /regserver
Restart Windows Installer Service
You will also get this error if the Windows Installer service is not running properly or another instance of the installer engine is already running. We recommend checking for both issues at the same time.
- Open Run by pressing Win + R.
- Type
msconfigand press Enter to launch the System Configuration. - Go to the Services tab and search for Windows Installer.
- Make sure the box next to it is checked and press OK.
- Now, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Go to the Details tab.
- Look for
msiexec.exe. If it’s there, select it and click End Task.
- Then, open Run again.
- Type
services.mscand press Enter to open Window Services. - Look for Windows Installer and check its Startup Type.
- If it shows Disabled, double-click on it and set the Startup type drop-down list to Manual.
- Click on Start if the Service status indicates Stopped. Otherwise, click Stop and then Start to restart the service.
Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.
Re-register Some DLL Files
Like with the MSIExec engine, your system uses many DLL files while running the MSI installers. You can similarly re-register them to resolve any potential registration issues.
- Open the Elevated Command Prompt.
- Enter the following commands:
regsvr32 Actxprxy.dllregsvr32 Browseui.dllregsvr32 Mshtml.dllregsvr32 ole32.dllregsvr32 Oleaut32.dllregsvr32 Scrrun.dllregsvr32 Shdocvw.dllregsvr32 Shell32.dllregsvr32 urlmon.dll
- Don’t worry if you get a “The module was loaded but the entry point DllRegisterServer was not found” error, simply move on to the next command.
Troubleshoot Compatibility
If the error has the code 1721, it might be because the installer is for a previous version of Windows and therefore is not compatible with your current system. In such cases, you need to troubleshoot for program compatibility.
- Right-click on the installer and select Troubleshoot Compatibility or Show more options > Troubleshoot Compatibility.
- Select Try Recommended Settings.
- Then, click on Test the program.
- If the error doesn’t occur this time, go back to the Troubleshooter and select Next > Yes, save these settings for this program.
Install Necessary Windows Features and Updates
The installation of several programs on your system requires certain supporting software components and features. We recommend installing all such programs to prevent suffering from different installation errors. Even if you already have these components, they might have become corrupt, so it’s worth reinstalling them.
- All available Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Packages
- Windows Management Framework
- Latest .NET Framework
You should also make sure to have the latest version of your Operating System. The newer applications require the most updated OS versions to be able to provide better features.
- Open Run.
- Type
ms-settings:windowsupdateand press Enter to open Windows Update Settings. - Click on Check for Updates to scan for and download available updates or Install now if your computer has already downloaded them.
Re-download the Installer
It is also possible that the installer you downloaded or transferred is not complete. You can check for such issues by checking its properties.
Select the installer and press Alt + Enter to open its Properties and compare the Size and Size on the disk from the General tab. If the Size on disk is much lower than the Size, the file is not complete.
In such cases, you need to download it again. Also, we recommend you ensure that the installer you download matches the system architecture of your computer while doing so.
Take Ownership of the Temp Folder
Many programs including installers make use of the Temp folder inside AppData to store temporary files. By default, each user accounts have the ownership and permissions of the Temp folder for that account. However, if this setting gets changed somehow, you will encounter many issues, including the above.
In such a scenario, you should see the error code 1723 in the error message, so it’s easier to recognize. You need to take ownership and provide permissions to this folder to resolve the issue.
- Open the Elevated Command Prompt.
- Enter the following commands:
takeown /F %Temp%icacls %Temp% /Grant %userdomain%\%username%:F
Uninstall Application Before Reinstalling
Sometimes the previous software of an application can also interfere with the new installation. In such cases, you need to uninstall the previous application first.
- Open Run.
- Type
appwiz.cpland press Enter to open Programs and Features. - Look for and select your application.
- Click on Uninstall or Uninstall/Change > Uninstall.
- Confirm with Yes and follow the on-screen instructions.
Then, update/reinstall the app again by launching a complete installer. If you can’t uninstall the applications, there may be some app-specific reasons causing such errors. You need to check official websites for what to do in such scenarios.
Remove Pending Installations Using Registry Editor
You will also get this error if you try running an installer when another one is already running on your system. Windows will usually warn you if something like this happens, but it can’t do so if the previous instance of installers is stuck. In such a case, you need to remove all pending installations first.
- Open Run.
- Type
regeditand press Enter to open the Registry Editor. - Navigate to
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer
- If the InProgress key is present, delete all the entries inside it.
- Then go to Computer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager - If PendingFileRenameOperations is there, delete all of its entries as well.
Install a Different Version of Application
Sometimes, the latest version of the application or its installer may have some bugs that are responsible for such issues. In such cases, you will only encounter the above error while trying to install one application but can successfully install other programs through MSI installers. You need to try installing a previous or different version of the app instead to resolve the issue.
Rick Akura
In this article, you will learn how to fix the “There is a problem with this Windows installer package” error on Windows 10. Let’s get started.
Most of the time, Windows applications install smoothly onto your device. This is why many users panic when seeing the “There is a problem with this Windows installer package” error during the installation process of popular apps such as iTunes, Unreal Engine, and even Adobe Acrobat Reader.
There’s nothing to worry about — in this guide, you will learn how to fix this error even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Causes of the “There is a problem with this Windows installer package” error
Even though there’s no single sure cause of this error, most users have reported the following as the leading cause of installer package error:
- You have an outdated or damaged installer file. You might be trying to install an application with an old or corrupted installer file. This doesn’t allow the app to install properly, causing the error.
- You downloaded the wrong package. Some systems are 32-bit, while others are 64-bit. You need to make sure to download the right bit version of the installer package in order to match your system’s bit version.
- Your computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements. Some applications may return the “There is a problem with this Windows installer package” error if your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements to run the app.
- Your Windows is not updated. Many issues can arise from an outdated system. Some users reported that updating Windows fixed this error.
- You don’t have full access to the installation folder. Permissions are very important when operating a PC. It’s possible that you chose an installation directory that you don’t have full access to, meaning that the installer can’t create necessary files to finish the install process.
Fixed “There is a problem with this Windows installer package”
After identifying the possible causes, you can begin troubleshooting. There are various methods you can try.
Method 1: Make sure you have administrative permissions
If you lack the appropriate permissions to install applications, you can easily run into the error of this article. If you’re using a public or work computer, this is normal — you’re most likely not an administrator. Make sure to contact the administrator and ask them for help.
However, if this issue occurs on your personal device, here’s what you can do to give yourself administrator permissions.
-
Click on the Windows icon in your taskbar and select Settings.
-
Click on Accounts.
-
Choose Family & other users from the menu on the left.
-
Select your account, then click on Change account type.
-
Choose the Administrator option from the drop-down menu and click OK.
-
Locate the installer file then right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.
Method 2: Use the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter
Microsoft has a free to download troubleshooter that aims to help with installation issues. Here’s how you can get it.
-
Navigate to this Microsoft website and click on the Download button.
-
Launch the file you just downloaded.
-
Click Next, then choose Installing.
- Select the application you want to install or choose Not listed and browse your computer manually to locate the installer file.
- Wait for the troubleshooter to identify issues and help you install the application.
Please note that the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter isn’t perfect and might not be able to identify an issue. In this case, we recommend you attempt our other methods listed on this page to get rid of the error.
Method 3: Repair the software
There’s a possibility that the application you’re trying to update can’t install because it’s corrupted. When this happens, simply repair the app using these steps.
-
Click on the Windows icon in your taskbar and select Settings.
-
Click on Apps and wait for your system to load your installed applications.
-
Select the problematic application and click on Modify.
-
Choose the Repair option and follow the on-screen instructions to repair the application.
- Try installing now to see if the error still appears.
Method 4: Re-register Windows Installer
The Windows Installer is a key component for installing applications on your device. While you can’t simply repair or uninstall it like other apps, you can use the command prompt to re-register it and possibly fix related issues.
- Press the Windows + R keys on your computer at the same time to open Run.
-
Type in “cmd” and hit the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys at the same time. This will launch the Command Prompt with Administrator permissions.
- Input the following commands, pressing Enter after each line:
- msiexec.exe /unregister
- msiexec.exe /regserver
- Close the Command Prompt and check if the installer runs properly.
Method 5: Restart the Windows Installer service
If re-registering Windows Installer didn’t work, try restarting the service. This will give your computer a chance to properly restart the service. To do that, follow the next steps.
- Press the Windows + R keys on your computer at the same time to open Run.
-
Type in “services.msc” and click on the OK button. This is going to launch Services, which should display every available service on your computer.
-
Locate the Windows Installer service, then right-click on it and choose Stop.
-
Wait a minute, then right-click Windows Installer and choose Start.
- Restart your computer and attempt the installation again.
Hopefully, one of our methods was able to get rid of the “There is a problem with this Windows installer package” issue on your computer. Enjoy installing your apps smoothly.
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From minor third-party tools to complex games and applications, one thing is certain: you need to install a program in order to use them.
There are quite a few Windows Installer errors in Windows 10, and the There is a problem with Windows Installer package error is one of the most resilient.
This isn’t the only message that you can encounter, and you can also get This installation package could not be opened error as well.
If you’re stuck with this error and you’re not sure how to deal with it, we recommend you keep reading this.
How can I fix Windows Installer package error in Windows 10/11?
1. Make sure you have administrative permissions
- Locate the setup file that you want to run.
- Right-click and choose Run as administrator from the menu.
- Now follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
As you already know, in order to install any application coming from a third-party source, you’ll need administrative permission. Luckily, you can make yourself an administrator easily on Windows.
Hence, you’ll need to authenticate using the Administrator account or have permission to make system-related changes on an alternate account.
Do keep in mind that There is a problem with this Windows Installer package can affect uninstall process as well.
2. Disable the antivirus and download the file again
- Press Windows key + X and type defender. Select Windows Security from the list.
- Navigate to the Virus & threat protection and click on Manage settings.
- Disable Real-time protection.
- Now try to install the application again.
You can also try downloading the installation file again and try to reinstall the software.
Users reported There is a problem with this windows installer package with iTunes, Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Cisco AnyConnect, but it can also affect any other software.
NOTE
Disabling your antivirus protection will leave your system at risk, so use it only with the files you trust. Don’t forget to turn the protection back on once you’re done.
3. Run Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter
- Visit the troubleshooter download page.
- Click on Download troubleshooter.
- Once the file is downloaded, run it.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
Once you run this software it will check and resolve installation-related errors. It’s also worth mentioning that this tool is provided by Microsoft, so you won’t need to take unnecessary risks with suspicious third-party solutions.
4. Check Windows Installer for errors
- Right-click the Start menu and and select PowerShell (Admin).
- Type the following command in the command line and press Enter: MSIExec
- If everything is good, you’ll see the pop-up window with Windows Installer details.
- If you see an error report, you should re-register Windows Installer.
In a system as complex as Windows is, you have various services that partake in everything you do. The MSI engine foundation is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and uninstallation of third-party programs.
You don’t need to be a tech enthusiast to get where this is going. If MSI engine (Windows Installer) is down, corrupted, or disabled by mistake, you’ll have a hard time installing anything.
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5. Re-register Windows Installer
- Right-click Start and choose PowerShell(Admin).
- In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
msiexec.exe /unregister
msiexec.exe /regserver
- Close PowerShell and look for changes. If the problem is still there, move to the Step 4.
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
- Locate Windows Installer. It should be at the bottom of the list.
- Right-click on the service and select Stop.
- Now right-click it again and choose Start.
- Restart your computer.
This is a simple solution, and it can help with There is a problem with this windows installer package error 1722 or any other error.
How can I fix Windows Installer package error on Windows 11?
This error affects all versions of Windows, and if you encounter the issue on Windows 11, you should know that all these solutions can be applied to it as well.
Windows 10 and 11 are pretty similar when it comes to core functionality, so most problems can be fixed by using the same solutions.
That should be enough to rid you of the There is a problem with this Windows Installer package installation error.
If you’re having more issues, we suggest reading our Windows Installer Service could not be accessed article for more useful solutions.
Should you know an alternative solution to this, feel free to tell us in the comments section below.
Aleksandar Ognjanovic
Aleksandar’s main passion is technology. With a solid writing background, he is determined to bring the bleeding edge to the common user. With a keen eye, he always spots the next big thing surrounding Microsoft and the Windows OS.
Focused on Windows errors and how to solve them, he also writes about the OS’s latest features as well as its interface.
In his free time, he likes to read, listen to music, and enjoy the nature. Hiking is one of his newly found passions.