How to Fix Fix Error 0x80070668 — Installer Transform Failure on Windows
Getting error 0x80070668 during installation? Installer transform application failed? MSI transform file rejected? Software installation failing with transform error? Custom installation configuration not accepted? Fix this installer transform error.
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •MSI installation fails with error 0x80070668
- •Enterprise software deployment returns transform failure
- •Installer applies transform then rolls back with this error
- •Custom .mst transform file rejected during installation
- •Upgrade installation fails when applying configuration transform
- •Group Policy software installation shows this error
Common Causes
- ⚠MSI transform (.mst) file incompatible with current MSI version
- ⚠Transform file corrupted during download or transfer
- ⚠Previous installation state conflicts with transform settings
- ⚠Windows Installer cache missing original MSI for transform reference
- ⚠Transform targets properties that dont exist in current MSI
- ⚠Insufficient permissions to apply transform during installation
Solutions
Solution 1: Verify and Recreate Transform File
- 1Check if the .mst transform matches the .msi version:
- 2The transform must be created against the exact MSI version being installed
- 3If the MSI was updated, the transform needs recreation
- 4To verify: use Orca (Microsoft MSI editor tool)
- 5Download Orca from Windows SDK
- 6Open the MSI → Transform → Apply Transform → select .mst
- 7If it fails: the transform is incompatible
- 8Recreate the transform against the current MSI version
- 9For testing: try installation without transform:
- 10msiexec /i "installer.msi" (skip the TRANSFORMS= parameter)
- 11If it works: the transform is the problem
Solution 2: Fix Windows Installer Cache
- 1Windows caches original MSI files for transforms:
- 2Check cache: C:\Windows\Installer\
- 3If previous version MSI is missing from cache:
- 4The transform cant reference the original properly
- 5Fix by cleaning up and reinstalling:
- 6Uninstall the application completely first
- 7Use Microsoft Program Install/Uninstall Troubleshooter
- 8Download from: support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed
- 9After cleanup: install fresh with the transform
- 10CMD: msiexec /i "installer.msi" TRANSFORMS="config.mst" /L*V "C:\install-log.txt"
- 11Review log if it fails again
Solution 3: Fix Permissions and Service
- 1Transform application may need elevated permissions:
- 2Run CMD as Administrator:
- 3msiexec /i "installer.msi" TRANSFORMS="config.mst"
- 4Ensure Windows Installer service is working:
- 5services.msc → Windows Installer → Manual start type
- 6If disabled: right-click → Properties → set to Manual
- 7Re-register the service:
- 8msiexec /unregister
- 9msiexec /regserver
- 10For Group Policy deployment issues:
- 11Verify the transform file is accessible from the network share
- 12Check share permissions (NTFS + share both)
- 13Ensure computer account has read access to both .msi and .mst
- 14Test: copy files locally and install from local path
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