Error 1603 Decoded: Expert Strategies for a Seamless and Successful Software Setup

You may encounter an error with a code of 1603 when you are attempting to install something on your Windows. The error message is basically something like “**Error: -1603 Fatal error during installation.**” It usually occurs when you are using a Windows Installer package to install the program. You can try the methods below that can be help you fix the error. 1)Change installation location 2) Completely uninstall the same program installed 3)Start and re-register Microsoft Installer service 4)Acquire full permissions on the drive for installation

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

1) Change installation location

You may encounter an error 1603 because the installation location is you choose is not available due to various reasons — such as being encrypted. You can use another installation folder to install the program and see if the error is gone.

2) Completely uninstall the same program installed

If you have previously installed the same program (or its earlier version), the error can occur when you try to install the application again. If you want to install your program successfully, you need to perform a clean uninstall of the one installed on your computer. This means you need to remove all the temporary files and preferences it leaves in addition to the major program. Sometimes you may lose the desktop shortcut of a program due to some reasons and therefore you may forget that you have installed it. In this case you can go toControl Panelto check if it is still on your computer: PressWin + R, and enter “ _control_“;

Find and openPrograms and Features;

Then you can check if the application is listed here. If it is, uninstall it.

3) Start and re-register Microsoft Installer service

There may be something going wrong withMicrosoft Installer serviceand therefore resulting in error 1603. You can fix the problem by (re)starting and re-registering Microsoft Installer service. TostartWindows Installer service:a) PressWin + Rand enter “_services.msc_“;

b) Find and double click onWindows Installer;

c) HitStartbutton underService statusand hitOK. (If its service status isrunning, you should click onStopfirst and then hitStart.)

Tore-registerWindows Installer service:a) PressWin + R, type “_msiexec /unregister_” and hitEnter.

b) PressWin + R again and enter “ msiexec /regserve r “.

4) Acquire full permissions on the drive for installation

It is possible that the error 1603 occurs because you don’t havefull permissionson the file location. Try getting the permissions on the drive you are installing your application to and see if this fixes the problem.a) OpenFile Explorer, right click on the drive containing the installation location and selectProperties.

b) Go toSecuritytab and click onEdit.

c) Single click on SYSTEMand ensure that theAllowbox of every item inPermissions for SYSTEM is checked (if it is checkable). Do the same check forAdministrators.

d) Click onOKto go back toPropertiesdialog. Then click onAdvanced.

e) Click onChange Permissions.

f) OnPermissionstab, double click onAdministrators.

Click here

g) SelectThis folder, subfolders and filesforApplies tofield andtick all the available basic permissions. After that hitOK.

h) Do the same operation above forSYSTEM.

i) Click onOK all the way out. Now you have acquired full permissions on this drive. Try installing your application and see if the issue is fixed.

• Windows

Also read: