How to Fix the “This Installation Package Could not be Opened” Error in Windows 11/10

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How to Fix the “Installation Package Could Not Be Opened” Error in Windows 11/10

Users often encounter software installation issues when posting on Windows support forums. A commonly reported problem is the Windows Installer error, which sometimes appears when trying to run program setup files. A stubborn notification pops up, telling you the installation package won’t budge.

Software installation comes to a grinding halt due to this error, which, curiously, fails to shed light on its own causes. It only suggests checking if the installer package is valid, which it usually is. Here’s how you can fix the “installation package could not be opened” error on Windows 11/10.

1. Re-download the Installation File

The setup file might be incompatible with your PC or corrupted. To resolve this, try downloading the installation file again and save it in a different folder on your local drive. Ensure that you download the correct installer for your Windows version (Windows 11/10) and avoid downloading one meant for other operating systems, such as Linux or macOS.

If there are separate 32-bit and 64-bit versions, download the one that matches your PC’s architecture.

2. Check if the Setup File is Blocked

Windows may block files it considers suspicious, especially those downloaded from the internet. To see if the setup file is blocked, follow these steps:

  1. Press Win + X and choose File Explorer.

  2. Navigate to the folder containing the setup file.

  3. Right-click the setup file and select Properties.

  4. On the General tab, check for an Unblock option at the bottom. If available, select it.

  5. Click Apply to save the changes, then OK to close the window.

3. Scan Your System Files for Corruption

System file corruption can sometimes cause installation issues. You can easily scan and repair corrupted system files using the System File Checker (SFC) utility. Refer to a guide on running SFC for detailed steps on how to do this.

4. Start the Windows Installer Service

The Windows Installer service is essential for installing programs that use MSI and MSP packages. If it’s not running, you may encounter the “installation package could not be opened” error. Follow these steps to check and start the service:

  1. Press Win + S to open Windows Search.

  2. Type services and click on the Services app.

  3. Scroll down to Windows Installer and double-click it.

  4. If the service is not running, click Start.

  5. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

5. Install Software from a New Admin Account

Some users have fixed the installation issue by creating a new Windows administrator account and installing the software from there. You’re on the verge of something amazing - now it’s time to put the plan into action and see results. Here’s how!

  1. Open Settings and create a new local user account.

  2. Set the account as an administrator.

  3. Log in to the new admin account and try installing the software again.

Once installed, the software should be accessible from other user accounts on your PC.

6. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Software

Antivirus software sometimes blocks legitimate files during installation. Temporarily disable your antivirus software and try installing the program again. After installation, you can enable the antivirus software.

For Windows Security, you can disable Real-time protection in Microsoft Defender by following the instructions in a guide. If you’re using third-party antivirus software, right-click its system tray icon and look for an option to turn off the antivirus shield.

7. Unregister and Reregister the Windows Installer Service

If the Windows Installer service isn’t properly registered, it may cause this installation error. To fix this, unregister and reregister the service with these commands:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

  2. Type the following command and press Enter to unregister:


msiexec /unregister
  1. Then type this command to reregister the service:

msiexec /regserver

8. Modify the FileSystem Registry Key

Editing certain values in the FileSystem registry key can also resolve the “installation package could not be opened” error. Before editing, consider backing up the registry or creating a System Restore Point. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Registry Editor.

  2. Navigate to the following key:


Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

  1. Double-click NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation and set its value to 0.

  2. Double-click Win31FileSystem and set its value to 0.

  3. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Get Your Software Installed Again

By applying these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the “installation package could not be opened” error on Windows 11/10. What’s worked for many users might just do the trick for you too. Try them before reaching out to the software publisher’s support team for further assistance.

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