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- How to Enable/Disable Windows Installer Service on Windows 11
By Daisy | Follow |
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If you want to enable or disable Windows Installer Service on Windows 11 but don’t know how to do that, then, you come to the right place. Besides, this post from MiniTool introduces other information about the Windows Installer Service. Now, keep on your reading.
What Is Windows Installer Service
Windows Installer Service is also called msiserver. The installation processes of the Windows operating system are managed by this service. Windows Installer Service is used to store application settings and installation information. In addition, it helps to track the locations of file groups, registry keys, and shortcuts that have been installed in the system. What’s more, it can add, modify, and delete applications, functions, and much other content.
Also see:
- 2 Ways to Enable Windows Installer in Safe Mode Windows 10
- Top 4 Ways to Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed
How to Enable/Disable Windows Installer Service on Windows 11
Now, let’s see how to enable or disable Windows Installer Service on Windows 11. There are 3 ways available.
Way 1: Via Services
How to enable Windows Installer Service on Windows 11? The first method is to use Services. Here are steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialogue box, type services.msc and press the Enter key.
Step 2: The list of services will be displayed. Right-click the Windows Installer Service and select Properties.
Step 3: Under Startup type, select Automatic and click the Start button to enable it.
How to disable Windows Installer Service on Windows 11? You can follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open the Services application again. Find the Windows Installer Service and select it.
Step 2: Choose Properties and select Disabled from the Startup type box.
Step 3: Restart the computer.
Way 2: Via Registry Editor
The second method to enable or disable Windows Installer Service on Windows 11 is via Registry Editor. Follow the guide below:
Step 1: Press the Windows logo key and the R key at the same time to open the Run dialog.
Step 2: Type regedit and then press Enter to open Registry Editor. You’ll be prompted for permission and please click Yes to open it.
Step 3: Follow the path to locate the correct system files:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\msiserver
Step 4: Right-click the Start item in the right panel to choose the Modify… option.
Step 5: Set the Value data to the following based on your needs:
Automatic: 2
Manual: 3
Disabled: 4
Automatic (Delayed Start): 2
Step 6: You need to click OK to save the changes.
Way 3: Via Command Prompt
You can also try to enable or disable Windows Installer Service via Command Prompt. Here is how to do that:
Step 1: Press Windows + R, type cmd in Run box, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Click Yes in the pop-up User Account Control window to run Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter to enable the Windows Installer service.
net start MSIServer
Step 3: You can change the startup type of Windows Installer Service with the following command.
Automatic: REG add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer” /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
Manual: REG add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer” /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
Disabled: REG add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer” /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 4 /f
Automatic (Delayed Start): REG add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer” /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
Final Words
This post has introduced information about Windows Installer Service. You can know how to enable Windows Installer Service and how to disable Windows Installer Service.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.
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Are you looking for a way to disable the Windows Installer Service on your device? This essential component of your operating system performs all necessary installation processes, but can sometimes interfere with other programs.
Fortunately, there are three ways in which it can be disabled—using the Windows Service tool, Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor. Check out our guide below to learn how.
1. Use Windows Services
Windows services are critical programs that typically initiate when you start your computer. It runs silently in the background and provides essential features to run the operating system. If you’re looking to enable or disable Windows Installer service using this tool, do the following.
To begin, press Win + R on your keyboard to launch the Run dialog box. In the text box, type services.msc, and hit enter. This will open the Services window.
In the window that opens, scroll down until you find Windows Installer service then double-click on it for a properties window to open.
Once you’re in the Properties window, click the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic. Now move over towards the Service status section and click Stop.
After you’ve done that, click Apply and then OK to save the changes. You have now successfully disabled the Windows Installer service on Windows 11.
If you ever need to re-enable the service, follow the same procedure and click Start in the Service status section.
2. Use Local Group Policy Editor
You can also use the group policy editor to enable or disable the Windows Installer service on your Windows computer system. However, it is important to note that this tool only works on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. Therefore, if you are using Windows Home Edition, you must first activate the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows Home.
To disable the service using the group policy editor, do the following:
- Click on Start and type in gpedit.msc, then press Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
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On the left side of the window, navigate to the path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Installer -
Now move to the right and double-click on the policy named Turn off Windows Installer.
- In the window that opens, select Enabled in the radio box.
- Under Options, click the drop-down menu and select Always.
- Then click Apply and OK to save changes.
That’s all there is to it. The Windows Installer service will now be disabled on your system. To re-enable it, simply follow the same steps, but set «Turn off Windows Installer» to Not Configured.
3. Use the Registry Editor
Registry Editor is another method you can use to enable or disable the Windows Installer service on any version of Windows, even Home Edition. But make sure to proceed with caution as any incorrect changes can corrupt your system and force you to reinstall Windows. So be mindful and remember to back up your registry before making any modifications.
To enable or disable this service using Registry Editor, follow these steps:
- Press Win + X, type regedit, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor. To learn more, see our guide on how to open the Registry Editor on Windows.
- If prompted with a UAC warning, click Yes to continue.
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Now once you’re in, navigate to the following path:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\msiserver -
In the right panel, double-click on Start and change its value from 2 to 4.
Once you put the Value data, make sure the Base is set to Hexadecimal, then click OK. Now close the registry editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Turning Off the Windows Installer Service Made Easy
If Windows Installer Service is creating issues or hindering another application, you can easily turn it off with one of the three methods outlined in our guide. See which method works best for you and get back to what matters most.
Windows Installer Service is one of the most essential components of the Windows operating system. It is the one that is responsible for handling the installation, removal, and maintenance of your software applications. And this is just the beginning – the Windows Installer Service has other functions. In this guide, you’ll discover everything about it, from its benefits to how to disable it on your PC.
Key Features of Windows Installer Service
- In case of installation failure, Windows Installer can roll back to the previous installation state, preventing any incomplete or erroneous changes from affecting your system.
- It can detect and repair damaged or missing files, registry entries, and other components of installed applications.
- When you uninstall an application, it ensures that the application is correctly and clearly uninstalled, removing all the associated files, registry entries, and other traces.
- Windows Installer divides the software into smaller units called components. This makes it possible to install or update individual components without affecting the rest of the application.
Tip: Are you into gaming? Here are 21 ways to enhance your gaming experience on a PC.
Enable/Disable Windows Installer Service on Windows 10/11
By default, the Windows Installer Service is enabled on all Windows versions. However, if you want to disable it on your computer, there are multiple ways to do it.
Method 1: Windows Services
One of the easiest methods to enable or disable the Windows Installer Service is by using the Services console. Here’s a quick guide:
1. Launch the Run dialog (Windows Key + R) and enter “services.msc” and then hit OK.
Alternatively, you can also search for Services using Windows Search.
2. After opening the Services window, scroll down until you locate the Windows Insider Service. Once you’ve found it, double-click to access its Properties.
3. Now inside the General tab, click on the drop-down menu next to the Startup type and switch from Manual to Automatic.
4. Once that part is done, move to the Service status section and hit the Stop button.
5. Now all you need to do is click Apply and then the OK button to save the changes.
That’s it. You have successfully disabled the Windows Installer Services on your PC. To enable it back, you can follow the above procedure and hit the Start button.
Tip: Learn how to find your Windows 10/11 product key.
Method 2: Registry Editor
1. Open the Run program and enter “regedit” to launch Registry Editor and then hit the Enter key.
Alternatively, you can also search for Registry Editor using Windows Search.
2. Hit the Yes button if the UAC (User Account Control) prompt appears.
3. After opening the Registry Editor, head over to the Address bar and enter the following path to directly jump to the Windows Installer settings.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\msiserver
4. Towards the right, you’ll find the Start registry file. Simply double-click it to access its properties.
5. After that, enter the following Value data based on your preference:
- Automatic: 2
- Manual: 3
- Disabled: 4
6. Once done, hit the OK button. That’s all there is to it.
Method 3: Group Policy
Another great way to enable or disable Windows Installer Service on your Windows 10 or 11 is via Group Policy. Fair warning, this method will only work on Windows Pro or Enterprise Edition.
1. Open the Windows Search and look for Group Policy and then open Edit group policy.
2. Next, navigate to the following path and double-click on the Turn off Windows Installer option.
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Installer
3. Now select the Enabled option and after that, click the drop-down menu and select Always.
4. Finally, hit the Apply and then the OK button to save changes.
Disadvantages of Disabling Windows Installer Service
Before you disable Windows Installer Service on your computer, here are a few things to consider:
- One of the biggest disadvantages of disabling Windows Installer Service is you won’t be able to install or update any application on your Windows, especially those that are using the standard “.msi” installation packages.
- It will make it hard for you to completely remove the application or program, leading to leftover files, registry entries, and potential conflicts.
- Some Windows update or feature might require Windows Installer Service to properly install required files. This may lead to potential errors or disruptions in the Windows functionality.
FAQs
1. Why should I disable Windows Installer Service?
If you’re worried about unauthorized software installation on your personal or organizational computer, you can disable the Windows Installer Service to protect it. This will also reduce the risk of malware infecting your PC.
Unveiling the Windows Installer Service
The Windows Installer Service is an incredible feature that performs numerous tasks in the background, exceeding your imagination. We hope the above guide gave you some clarity on this topic and helped you make a wise decision regarding when to enable or disable the Windows Installer Service on your computer.
Rahul Rai
Rahul is your go-to guide for fixing Windows, Steam, Android, Samsung TV, and Google Chrome. An engineering college dropout who followed his passion for tech, he brings 3 years of troubleshooting experience and 2+ years of running his own tech blog to the table. When he’s not solving your tech problems, you’ll find him unwinding with the latest anime or K-drama.
You are able to Disable and Enable Windows Installer Service in Windows 11 or 10 aka msiserver using Services console, Command prompt, and Registry editor. Basically, the service works to store application setup along with installation information. Moreover, it helps to track the location of groups of files, registry entries, and shortcuts that are already installed in your system. Apart from this, msiserver can add, modify and remove applications, features, and many other things.
As msiserver manages all the installation processes of Windows 11 or 10, things become difficult if the service becomes faulty. In that case, you may need to disable or enable Windows Installer Service. If you keep it in disabled state, services depending on Windows Installer will not start properly. You may also conflict with several errors such as Windows installer service could not be accessed.
Ways to Disable or Enable Windows Installer Service in Windows 11 AND 10
Here is How to Disable or Enable Windows Installer Service in Windows 11 or 10 –
Use Service Console
Step-1: Right-click on Start button and select Run from the visible list.
Step-2: When the dialog appears, type Services.msc in the provided text field and hit the Enter key.
Step-3: Locate Windows Installer on Services console. Once found, right click on the same and select Properties.
Step-4: This will open the General tab by default. Click on the dropdown hereabouts Startup type and select Automatic.
Step-5: Hover the cursor to Service status section and click Start button in order to enable Windows Installer Service.
Step-6: If you want to disable the service, simply click the Stop button.
Step-7: Finally, click on Apply and subsequently OK to save the changes.
Disable or Enable msiserver through Registry Editor
Note – Try this workaround at your own risk as incorrect registry may cause permanent or temporary damage.
- Press Win+S, type regedit, and Select Registry Editor from the appearing result.
- A UAC will prompt up; hit Yes button to give consent.
- When Registry Editor comes into the view, navigate the following path –
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer- Once you reach there, shift to the corresponding right pane and locate Start.
- Double click on the same to edit the value.
- In the value data box, set your preferred value.
Automatic – 2
Manual – 3
Disabled – 4
Automatic (Delayed Start) – 2
Enable Windows Installer Service using Command Prompt
- Launch Elevated Command Prompt.
- Once it turns up on the screen, copy and paste the below command after the blinking cursor and hit Enter –
net start MSIServer
Note: You can’t start a service if Startup type is Disabled.
To Stop Windows Installer service –
net stop MSIServer
- It will immediately start Windows Installer service.
To change the Startup type of the same service, you can execute the following command –
Automatic –
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /fManual
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /fDisabled –
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 4 /fAutomatic (Delayed Start) –
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSIServer" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /fThat’s all!