Update to MSI 4.5 (KB958655)

Hello everyone,

We wanted to let you know that a non-security QFE was released recently for MSI 4.5 redistributable, available via Microsoft download center (Search for KB958655). The KB article contains information on the symptoms and cause of the issue. The intent of this post is to clarify some concerns/questions you may have that are necessarily not addressed via the KB article. Additionally, we will monitor this post, so feel free to post comments.

Also as noted in the KB article, you are most likely to be affected by this issue during installation of SQL Server 2008 or during upgrade from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008.

Some FAQs:

1. I already have MSI 4.5 on my machine. Do I need to install this update?

It’s optional. As mentioned above, this issue is hit only in rare cases, so it’s not absolutely critical for you to install this update.

2. Is this update applicable to all OSes and architecture types?

Yes, this update is applicable to all supported OSes and architecture types as the original MSI 4.5 redistributable. Vista RTM/SP1, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP SP2/SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP1/SP2.

3. Is it true that on Vista & above platforms, I can install this update even if MSI 4.5 redist is NOT present on my machine?

Yes. The QFE packages for Vista & above platforms are just like a refresh to the original MSI 4.5 redist. It targets both MSI versions 4.0 and 4.5. If MSI version on the machine is 4.0, the QFE installs just like the original redist package, while if MSI version is already 4.5 then only the affected binaries are updated. So if you have not already installed 4.5, you can choose to do so by installing this QFE package directly.

4. I have removed the MSI 4.5 redistributable from my Vista machine, but why is the MSI version on my machine still 4.5?

If MSI 4.5 redist is uninstalled, the Windows Installer version on the machine will still remain 4.5 as long as this QFE is present. If MSI 4.5 redist is uninstalled followed by removal of the QFE, only then the Windows Installer version on your machine will go back to 4.0.

5. Are these changes (specifically #3 and #4 above) also applicable to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003?

No. For these Operating systems, the QFE package will only be applicable if you have already installed MSI 4.5 redist on your machine. Also if you later try to uninstall MSI 4.5, you will be warned about dependent QFEs still existing and be asked to remove these manually.

6. What is the expected version of Windows Installer after I install this QFE?

[Author: Zainab Hakim]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at https://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm.

Comments

• Anonymous
  December 06, 2008
  deeso actualizar microsofth installer

• Anonymous
  December 13, 2008
  any plans to push Windows Installer 4.5 on Windows Update? Come on!

• Anonymous
  December 13, 2008
  any plans to push Windows Installer 4.5 via Windows Update? Come on!

• Anonymous
  December 14, 2008
  I've not tried this update yet. However, with the last version of Windows Installer 4.5 on Vista, I have had no ends of problems with it recently (last 1-2 months), even though I've been running fairly flawlessly since it's release. In particularly these issues were most noticable with updates to Office 2007 over Windows Update. After switching MSI verbose logging on, I discovered these updates were continuously crashing out with the error "Internal Exception during install operation…".  Even if I apply the update manually, it would also fail. Normal practices of re-registering the Windows Installer service did not help.  The only way to get the updates to install, was to roll back to the Vista SP1, 4.0 version of Windows Installer. FYI, the issue happens too with the build of Windows Installer 4.5, bundled with the recent public beta release of Vista SP2. I thought it might have just been my configuration. However, after completely rebuilding my system from scratch, due to a significant hardware change, I am still getting the problem, so I’m beginning to suspect it’s something a little more fundamental. All I know is Windows installer 4.5 dislikes something on my system  :(

• Anonymous
  December 14, 2008
  The problem above is still there with KB958655. Something seems to cause a problem with the msp patching mechanism with v4.5.x.x of Windows Installer on Vista SP1 and likewise with the Windows Installer 4.5 version under the public beta of SP2.

• Anonymous
  December 15, 2008
  Suc: As of now, we do not have any plans of releasing Windows Installer 4.5 via Windows Update. However, it will be available natively in the future releases of service packs for Windows (such as Windows Vista SP2). Duncan: The symptoms you describe do not appear related to those for KB958655. If I read correctly, you are unable to apply any updates to your system with Windows Installer 4.5. It would be helpful if you could provide more details/exact repro steps for your issue. Or alternately you can also try contacting Microsoft support regarding your problem.

• Anonymous
  December 15, 2008
  I guess all I'm saying is something has happened to break the MSP functionality in Windows Installer 4.5, not specifically KB958655. It's entirely possible/probable, it's an external influence at work. What however, I do not know. All I know is it does not affect Windows Installer 4.0. Until I dig deeper, I don't think I can give you any more details that will help you repro the issue, if it doesn’t already happen for you. All I can say just now is the problem occurred for parent product Office 2007 installed first under Windows Installer 4.0 and subsequently patched with SP1, using MSPs running under Windows Installer 4.5.x. I also experienced a similar scenario with PerfectDisk 2008. However, under the latter scenario I installed the base script and under 4.5.x too.

• Anonymous
  December 25, 2008
  some... required other Language... Not make other Language package??

• Anonymous
  December 26, 2008

1. What are the new features in MSI 5.0 (part of Windows 7).
2. Will it be available on downlevel platforms and if yes which ones?
3. Is there a way to elevate patches (MSPs) by right-clicking and choosing Run as Admin type equivalent? How to add "Run as admin" to patches (MSP files)? (I've been able to add Run as Admin to MSIs).

• Anonymous
  December 30, 2008
  I am trying to install windows installer 4.5 on Windows Server 2008 (64-bit) using Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64 but I get an Update Standalone Installer error message "The update does not apply to your system" What is required to install 4.5 on Server 2008 (64-bit)?

• Anonymous
  January 11, 2009
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  January 11, 2009
  I still cannot install windows installer 4.5, it keep reverting changes in stage 3 of installation during startup. I need it to work because of sql server 2008.. i am running vista 64 sp1, not sure whether it is problem

• Anonymous
  January 24, 2009
  este programa m sirve para descargar windows messenger?

• Anonymous
  January 29, 2009
  I've been experiencing installation problems reading Error 1305, asking to verify if a specific *.msi file exists and is accessible. The file does exist and begins anew the installation when executed only to hang up with the same error. I figured my windows installer may be corrupted and was attempting to download windows installer redistributable package 4.5 but can't connect the download it from the Microsoft download access page. I have windows XP sp3.

• Anonymous
  February 04, 2009
  Hi I am trying to download that installer but the only thing what appear on windows download centre is word document without the installer 3.1 it self. when I downloaded it I recived only word document...

• Anonymous
  February 05, 2009
  Can we have an article on some basics of patch mechanism. I mean how the baseline cache is stored, in what scenarios source is required and some typical patch install/uninstall challenges/resolutions.

• Anonymous
  February 08, 2009
  How can i file a bug for Windows Installer

• Anonymous
  February 27, 2009
  Sorry I have no experience with the s.w., but I am grateful for the info. Thanks, Lynn B. Wright

• Anonymous
  March 03, 2009
  Fails to install on Windows XP SP2. "0.890: Setup has detected that the version of the Service Pack installed on your system is lower than what is necessary to apply this hotfix. At minimum, you must have Service Pack 3 installed. 0.890: Update.exe extended error code = 0xf076 0.890: Update.exe return code was masked to 0x643 for MSI custom action compliance."