Windows Update Error Code 646...

[gamerchic82]

I have been receiving Error Code 646 for the following three items that
Windows Update has been trying to install: Security Update for Microsoft
Visio Viewer 2007; and these two updates: Security Update for 2007 Microsoft
Office System.
I tried to install them both yesterday and today and still the same result.
I am running Windows Vista Ultimate SP2.
What can I do to resolve this?

[Shenan Stanley]

What firewall application are you running?
What AntiVirus?

32-bit or 64-bit Vista?

go to microsoft website and type the error code to bing search,
install all the 97....error code one by one, after that go to windows update
and try installing it again. if you got the same result, im willing to help
fix the problem remotely.

[TaurArian]

For the MS Viso Viewer, remove the viewer and reinstall it (the update may
be looking for the original source files).

1. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
2. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
SP1
3. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
SP2
System Requirements
a.. Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista;
Windows XP

a.. This update applies to the following product:
a.. Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 (with Microsoft Office Visio Viewer 2007
(SP1))
b.. Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 (with Microsoft Office Visio Viewer 2007
(SP2))
As regards the Security Update for 2007 Microsoft Office System, locate the
same and manually download and install.
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx
or
Search for a download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/s...displaylang=en

or trying leaving the media (the office 2007 installation disk) in the
installation drive and installing or if manually downloading and installing
and/or leaving the installation media in the installation drive doesn't
work, then you may have to repair/reinstall office 2007. (Make sure you have
your product key handy)

My theory is that a registry cleaner may have been used or the source files
for the original installation removed (Office updates).

Try leaving the original Office disk in the installation drive and see if
that rectifies the problem. If not manually install the update/s.

With the viewer update, it's most likely when the original viewer was
installed the source was deleted therefore hence the problem of not being
able to install the update.

I am also getting the same error Code 646 when installing the updates.
Please advice..

[rld513]

I have been getting the same error. I have tried every option to get those updates. I have tried it manually and it still gives me an error. I cant install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1 Security Update for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB953297) and some other updates.

does anyone have the help number to microsoft..I went to there help page and it has me downloading all kind of things that i am not so sure about!

I'm having this same problem, can't install this update. I've turned off
the firewall, virus protection. I can't believe this update can't install
without the user having to go through all these contortions to get it
processed.

Did you read the rest of the conversation(s) you replied to?

[Hbell]

Vista has been nothing but a huge migraine headache. Microsoft should be
updating their customers to windows 7 FREE, for all the grief of mistakenly
purchasing this OS (Vista Ultimate). Nothing but issues, never able to
install updates. After xp you people broke everything you could to produce
the money maker Vista. =/

I've spent so many hours trying to update this set of updates you should be
paying me... and it still can't be done easily. Yet to see if it will work
after I do hours of crossing my fingers hoping my computer skills are that of
a certified repair person.

Displeased is an understatement.

Insert your Office CD into your computer while the Updates are trying to install. If
you have read some of the posts here ,then you would have found the above fix for
the 646 issue

Temporarily disable any third-party real-time system protections (e.g.,
anti-virus; anti-spyware; firewall) prior to the next install attempt.

[Shenan Stanley]

The 646 error is *not* Windows Vista - centric. More Office-centric
really - so I would ask you the same question I asked "Nixon Jacob" in this
conversation back on December 27, 2009... But you obviously have not and
just blame your trouble on Vista.

For your direct complaint...

My suggestion for that - without spending anything but your own time - is
backup your important data (bookmarks, emails, contacts, documents,
installable downloads, product keys/serial numbers, pictures, music, etc),
install Windows Vista clean and update to SP2. Then ensure you have all the
latest hardware device drivers. Then install your antivirus software (I
suggest Avira AntiVir or eSet NOD32) and continue with the installation of
your other software (Office suites, photo/image manipulation, etc.) Restore
your data (bookmarks, emails, contacts, documents, installable downloads,
product keys/serial numbers, pictures, music, etc) and start using your
computer again. Yeah - it may be a weekend-type task - but I have found
that Windows Vista can run quite well if done in this way because it usually
lacks the poor installation and ugly extras usually done by the OEM that
sold you the computer. (If you are that OEM - sorry - but that is my
experience.)

Overkill? Maybe - but it is the least complicated and gives the surest
results.

[Becca]

7-18-2010 I too have been trying to download important security updates on my Vista Windows for days and days...and kept getting the Error 646 code...Then I saw a solution someone posted that said simply: "I disconnected from the wireless and the updates installed fine." I thought that was too easy...but having tried everything else, thought I'd give it a shot!

IT WORKED...my computer is completely up to date!

Have a nice day...and I hope this is your "easy fix" too! :0)

[duh]

same here, becca. i went offline and tried again and all 3 were installed successfully. which proves one point: nobody really knows what the heck they are talking about. had i listened to the advice of previous posters, i would have spent hours (cause i am an idiot) trying to back up my files, downloading software, re-setting crap, etc etc. but no, all i had to do was go offline. unbelievable. thank you, becca!

Exact same thing for me. Shutoff my wireless switch, reinstalled updates, they all installed sucessfully. Go figure.

[PhilZ65]

Try this, click start/control panel/user accounts/Turn User Account Controlon/off/ Uncheck box that says Use User Account to help protect your computer. This worked fro me..Let me know if it helped you too..Phil..