Windows Update Error 80070641

Hey peeps. I already figured this out, but since it gave me a lot of trouble
i just thought i'd share it with everyone so others don't have to endure this
annoying thing. This is especially helpful to those of you who, like me, mess
around with services. Anyway, I was trying to install Windows Updates on
Vista. It kept saying that all of the updates failed and said that the error
code was 80070641. It wasn't listed in the help and support window, so that
wasn't much help. Anyway, the problem with this one is kind of a
head-slapper. If you get this message it means that your "Windows Installer"
service is not enabled or not started. To fix this click Start>Control
Panel>System and Maintenance>Administrative Tools>Services>Give User Account
Control password or confirmation>Make sure the service called "Remote
Procedure Call (RPC) is on. If it's not, follow the same steps below that it
says for windows installer. >Scroll Down until you see "Windows
Installer">Right click>Properties>Under the General tab, make sure the
startup type is "Automatic". This will start the service when windows starts
(you want this if you are going to try to install anything)>Click OK>In the
left-hand pane of the Services window, where it describes the service, click
start. You should now be good to go. Try to install the updates again and if
it doesn't work, you didn't get error code 80070641 or there's something else
wrong. Hope this helps

Thanks for posting this. Now, was Vista an upgrade, if so over what, or,
was it installed you onto a clean Hard Drive, or, was this an OEM
system ?

If we can find out just WHY, by whom or by what, the Installer service
was set to be Disabled on boot, that would be very helpful.

I treid following the instructions in the first message, but could not find
Windows Installer, only Windows Modules Installer - is this the same thing?
Either way, it would not allow me to save the setting as 'Automatic' when
going into the Properties, defaulting always to 'Manual' and therefore not
starting.

I've tried so many times to install the following three updates:

KB934173
KB933688
KB934670

and still, the same error code 80070641 comes up, with no explanation
anywhere of what it actually means.

I'm getting really annoyed with this, as these updates are deemed
'important', but my system is unable to do anything about it!

Please can somebody help!

(I'm running Vista Home Premium, 32-bit, if that helps)

Thanks to one of the other discussion threads found a solution that worked
for me. I have SpyDoctor installed. Had to disable OnGuard - then install
worked! (enabled OnGuard afterwards)

I've the same problems :
- unable to install/uninstall software coming with Win Installer
- problems on Win Update
- error 80070641 when installing *msi.package

Following your post I have :
- Service RPC : Automatic and started
- Service Windows Installer : Automatic but it doesn't want to start ("the service have been started and then stopped, some services start only when is necessary...." this is the message I had!

I did'nt understand when you speak about "Give User Account
> Control password or confirmation"????

In another forum (in German...) I read that we have to modify manually the key :
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Installer\Secure
but I didn't understand how? Google translation : The key was without details authorisation and without owner
How is your "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Installer\Secure" key???
THX to everybody...!!!!

SOLVED yesterday :
- I've downloaded Win CleanUp Utility
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...bd/msicuu2.exe
- error on start (no vbscript)
- rename msicuu2.exe on rar and extract all files
- a txt file explain that you have to rename msizapU.exe on msizap.exe
- ok, I have the window with the last WinInstaller softs installed
- I delete some of them (the recent ones and the unuseful ones hoping to delete the one causing the troubles)
- start/run : regsvr32 msi.dll

I try to install Opera 9.24 (pack msi) and WOW it's OK :-)
After that all the install was OK :iTunes, Opera, Win MobileDevice, WLM, demo Games, WMPpluginFirefox, Skype.....
So Happy!!! if this can helps....
CIAO

Hi ;-)
>i installed this msicuu2.exe and had no problems...
>should i have gotten an error?
not necessarily : I had it but if you have no problem go through following steps...
- a txt file explain that you have to rename msizapU.exe on msizap.exe
---> do you see this text file? have you renamed msizapU.exe on msizap.exe?
---> where did you stop the procedure?

Following steps :
- ok, I have the window with the last WinInstaller softs installed
- I delete some of them (the recent ones and the unuseful ones hoping to delete the one causing the troubles)
- start/run : regsvr32 msi.dll

Hope it was useful for you!

Look for context in the logs. Use both the hex and the decimal representations
of the code you are getting.

BTW note that 0x0641 == 1601

<cmd_output OS="XPsp2">
F:\>set /a c = 0x641
1601
F:\>net helpmsg %c%

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur
if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer
is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.
</cmd_output>

Hmm.. I guess you could also search this newsgroup for suggestions which
involve the "Windows Installer Service" (Use the quotes when you search.)

can you please please please explain again what you did?

i installed this msicuu2.exe and had no problems...
should i have gotten an error?

i still cant install skype on my computer, the windows installer is up.
i dont know what to do anymore!

help!!!

super thanks

hi again!

thanks for the reply!!!

no, i dont see a txt file. where should it be? can you copy it for me?
where is this msizapU.exe that i should rename?

thats where i stopped it. i downloaded the msicuu, installed it, and that was it. i didnt get anything else afterwards.

thanks for the patience!

Thank you for share, but the way of Services wouldn't be found under
Administravtive Tools, so this problem still unable to solve. So upset.

Thank you so much for your help of 14 Feb 07. It was all I needed ,and easy and straightforward too. Thanks again

Is this also in Dutch available?

Hallo, anybody can help me?

I have any problems with Vista updates install except one: Upgrade for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Junk Email Filter (KB959141). It give me the same error code: "Error(s) found: Code 80070641 Windows update encountered an unknown error". Where is the problem?

OMG...I didnt think I would ever get those updates fixed...i was actually trying to figure out how to get them deleted but then found out that important updates cant be deleted...you are the bomb..This fix worked for me and again I am thankful for your good brains....hehe

Used the first post in this series and fixed problem. My service "windows installer" had been turned "off." Thanks.