Safe Mode in Windows loads the operating system in a limited state, which can be helpful for troubleshooting and correcting PC issues. Many of the standard services and features of the Windows operating system are not available in safe mode, including the Windows Installer Service.
It is not possible to uninstall software in Safe Mode if the service is not running, that is highly problematic if a software is responsible for PC issues.
There is however an option to start the Windows Installer Service in Safe Mode, so that software can be uninstalled afterwards.
windows installer service error
The Windows Installer Service can’t be started immediately, it is necessary to patch the Registry first.
Open the Windows Registry Editor with the keyboard combination Windows-R, type regedit and hit enter. It can also be launched by clicking on the start orb, and entering regedit in the run box in the Start Menu followed by enter.
Locate the following Registry key
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\
Right-click on Minimal and select New > Key. Name the key MSIService and change the default value to Service by double-clicking it.
windows safe mode
This makes the Windows Installer Service available in minimal Safe Mode. You may want to repeat the steps for the networking Safe Mode as well. All steps are the same, except for the starting Registry key.
HKLM\SYSTEM#92;CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\
The Windows Installer Service needs to be started afterwards, this can be done by clicking on the start orb again, entering services.msc and hitting enter.
Locate Windows Installer in the services listing, right-click it and select start. Alternatively execute the following command via the command line:
net start msiserver
It is furthermore possible to issue all commands via the command line. To enable Windows Installer in minimal Safe Mode execute the following command:
REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"
For Safe Mode with network:
REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"
The freeware SafeMSI offers to automate the Registry editing and service starting. Just double-click the program in Safe Mode to enable Windows Installer.
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good tip
THANKS