Can't run Windows 7 Installer...Error reading from file

I am running Windows 7 (64 bit) Pro. Whenever I try to install anything from a .msi file, I always receive the error:

"Error reading from file <path>/setup.msi.  Verify that the file exists and that you can access it."

I've tried opening a command prompt as administrator and loading via the installer (msiexec) directly but still receive the same error. I have administrator privileges and I checked the permissions on the file and I have full permissions. I believe this is a 32 bit application so I am wondering if that has something to do with it. Any help is appreciated.

GregH

Posted 2010-07-30T11:18:41.710

Reputation: 843

Answers

Sorry for posting this. After hours of trying to figure this out I just did a little more research and got it. Apparently my user was the only user with privileges on the folder and file containing the .msi file. I added the SYSTEM user to have read and execute privileges on the folder containing the installer file and voila...it works and installs now.

GregH

Posted 2010-07-30T11:18:41.710

Reputation: 843

Had the same problem, installer couldn't read from %temp%\folder\installer.msi (%temp%=C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp). Added full rights for user SYSTEM on %temp% folder and installer ran just fine. – Tedd Hansen – 2014-07-03T08:40:59.913

You should mark this answer as correct. – Tedd Hansen – 2014-07-03T08:41:29.547

Process Monitor should indicate what file it is trying to access and if there are permission problems.

You could also check the event log and the most recent *.log files in the C:\Windows\Temp folder.

Tamara Wijsman

Posted 2010-07-30T11:18:41.710

Reputation: 54 163