FIX: This Installation Package Could Not Be Opened In Windows 10

In this tutorial, learn how to fix “This installation package could not be opened” error when installing software in Windows 10/8.1/8/7.

This post talks about one of the popular installation errors that you may came around while running a setup file to install a program on your Windows computer. Here it is:

This installation package could not be opened. Verify that the package exists and that you can access it or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer Package.

If you’re also the victim of this problem, here are a few things you could do:

How To Fix “This Installation Package Could Not Be Opened” Error on Windows 10/8/7

Solution 1. General Suggestions

Make sure you’re logged in as Administrator before trying to install.
Check if the setup file is support for your Windows version (64-Bit or 32-Bit).
If your Windows Installer file got corrupted, run SFC scan and reboot once the scan is completed. Also, you should run Windows Update to make sure that you are running the latest version of Windows Installer.
Disable your antivirus software temporarily. Your antivirus is one of the most important software on your PC, but it can also prevent certain files from installing. If that happens, you can face the This installation package could not be opened error message.

Solution 2. Validating the MD5 Checksum of a File

If you get a “This installation package could not be opened” message, I highly recommend you do a MD5 hash check before you’re installing any application, just in case the download was interrupted or got corrupted. In such case, you need to clear your browser cache and re-download the setup then check it works.

Solution 3. Make sure that the application is unblocked

Sometimes Windows 10 can block certain applications from installing on your computer, causing the “This installation package could not be opened” error to occur. In order to fix this issue, you just need to find your setup file and unblock it. To do so, follow these steps below:

Step 1. Right-click on the problematic setup file and select Properties.

Step 2. In the Properties window, go to the General tab and tick the Unblock option.

Note: If you don’t have Unblock option, it means that this file is already unblocked, go to another solution.

Step 3. Click Apply > OK to save changes.

Now you can try to install the application again.

Solution 4. Make sure that the setup file is located on a local drive

Many Windows 10 users reported that the “This installation package could not be opened” error occurs if you saved the setup file on a network drive. If that’s the case, simply save it to your local computer and run and try to install it again.

Solution 5. Make sure Windows Installer service is running

In order to install any package, Windows Installer needs to run. In some cases, Windows Installer service can become disabled which can cause the “This installation package could not be opened” error. So, you need to check if Windows Installer service is running. If Windows Installer service is stopped, you have to manually start Windows Installer. To do that, follow these steps below:

Step 1. Press Windows Key + R and type services.msc in the Run dialog box. Click OK to open Services snap-in.

Step 2. In Services snap-in window, scroll down the list of services on your computer and look for Windows Installer service. Make sure Windows Installer service is Running status and have Automatic Startup type. If the service is stopped, double-click it to open its Properties. Click on Start button to start it. Click Apply > OK to save changes.

Step 3. You can now close Services window and try to install the application again.

Solution 6. Modify your Registry/Permissions

According to Windows 10 users, you may also try to modify your registry/permissions and check if that helps. To do that, follow these steps below:

Step 1. Press Windows Key + R then type regedit in run dialog box and click OK.

Step 2. In the left pane of Registry Editor window, go to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\msiserver

Right click on msiserver registry key and click Permissions.

Step 3. In the Permissions for msiserver window, make sure you’ve Full Control for SYSTEM. Then click on Advanced button.

Step 4. In the Advanced Security Settings window, you need to add your account and give it Full Control as well.

Once your account and SYSTEM have Full Control Access listed, you’ll no longer face this problem.

Solution 7. Re-register Windows Installer

You should be able to fix this problem by trying to re-register the Windows Installer engine. To do that, follow these steps below:

Step 1. Click Start menu and type “command prompt“. Then right-click on Command Prompt in the search results and click on Run as administrator.