How to Fix Fix Error 0x80070644 — Windows Installer Service Error on Windows
Getting error 0x80070644 during software installation or Windows Update? Windows Installer service configuration error? Fix this MSI installer error.
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Main Troubleshooting Guide
How to Fix Microsoft Store Not Working →Complete symptoms, causes, and step-by-step solutions
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Software installation fails with error 0x80070644
- •Windows Update for .NET or security patches fails with this code
- •MSI packages won't install — "Windows Installer service error"
- •"Error 1612" or "Error 1603" alongside 0x80070644
- •Programs can't update themselves due to installer error
- •Error appears when enabling Windows features
Common Causes
- ⚠Windows Installer service (msiserver) not properly configured
- ⚠Corrupted Windows Installer cache
- ⚠Pending restart blocking new installations
- ⚠Previous installation left system in inconsistent state
- ⚠Windows Installer registration corrupted
- ⚠Group Policy restricting software installation
Solutions
Solution 1: Fix Windows Installer Service
- 1CMD as Admin:
- 2net stop msiserver
- 3net start msiserver
- 4If service won't start: check its configuration:
- 5services.msc → "Windows Installer" → Properties
- 6Startup type should be "Manual" (NOT Disabled)
- 7Click "Start" to start the service
- 8Retry the installation
- 9If still failing: restart PC first to clear pending operations
Solution 2: Re-register Windows Installer
- 1CMD as Admin:
- 2msiexec /unregister
- 3msiexec /regserver
- 4Also re-register related components:
- 5regsvr32 msi.dll
- 6regsvr32 msihnd.dll
- 7Restart PC after re-registration
- 8For .NET update failures specifically:
- 9Download .NET Framework Repair Tool from Microsoft
- 10Run it to fix .NET installer components
Solution 3: Clear Installer Cache and Repair
- 1Clear pending.xml if it exists:
- 2Navigate to C:\Windows\WinSxS\
- 3If "pending.xml" exists: rename to pending.xml.bak
- 4CMD as Admin:
- 5DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- 6sfc /scannow
- 7Delete temp installer files:
- 8Clear %TEMP% folder contents
- 9Clear C:\Windows\Temp contents
- 10Restart PC → retry installation
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