To start the Windows Installer service, which is essential for installing, modifying, or removing many software applications on your Windows system, you can use either the Command Prompt or the Computer Management console.
The Windows Installer service (msiserver) ensures that software installations proceed correctly. If this service is stopped or disabled, you might encounter issues when trying to install or uninstall programs.
How to Start the Windows Installer Service
There are two primary methods to start the Windows Installer service on your Windows machine:
Method 1: Using the Command Prompt
This method is quick and straightforward, allowing you to activate the service with a simple command.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Click on the Start button.
- Type
cmd
orCommand Prompt
in the search bar. - Right-click on Command Prompt from the search results and select Run as administrator. Confirm the User Account Control (UAC) prompt if it appears.
- Execute the Command:
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly as shown and press
Enter
:net start msiserver
- You should see a message indicating that "The Windows Installer service was started successfully."
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly as shown and press
Method 2: Using Computer Management
This method provides a graphical interface to manage all services on your system, including the Windows Installer.
- Open Computer Management:
- Open the search bar (by clicking the Start button or pressing
Windows key + S
). - Type
Computer Management
and select the Computer Management desktop app from the search results.
- Open the search bar (by clicking the Start button or pressing
- Navigate to Services:
- In the Computer Management window, expand Services and Applications in the left-hand pane.
- Click on Services.
- Locate and Start Windows Installer:
- Scroll through the list of services on the right-hand pane until you find Windows Installer.
- Right-click on Windows Installer.
- From the context menu, select Start.
- If the service is already running, the "Start" option will be greyed out, and you will see "Restart" or "Stop" options. If it's stopped, selecting "Start" will activate it.
Successfully starting the Windows Installer service ensures that your system is ready to handle software installations and modifications efficiently.