How to Install and Uninstall Programs in Safe Mode

Often there are factors that can affect your program installation such as security software, anti spyware software, programs that load on start up, or services that start up with other applications. In these situations you may wish to try installing the software in Safe Mode.

Safe Mode is a mode in which Windows loads only the bare minimum services and applications to start up. This will ensure no other application or service is running that may interfere with your installation.

Windows Installer will not work under Safe Mode, this means that programs cannot be installed or uninstalled in safe mode without giving a specific command using msiexec in Command Prompt. If you try to uninstall programs in Safe Mode, you may receive the following message:

   
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.


This tutorial will explain to you how to make Windows Installer work in Safe Mode.




Make Windows Installer work in Safe Mode

Open an elevated Command Prompt  (right-click on cmd and select ‘Run as Administrator’) and enter the following commands:

Code:

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"


You should now run the net start msiserver in an elevated Command Prompt.

From here, you should be able to install and uninstall programs in Safe Mode.


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