Share this article
Improve this guide
How to Fix This Installation Package Could not be Opened Error
12 min. read
Updated onFebruary 23, 2024
updated onFebruary 23, 2024
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
We all have various third-party applications on our PCs, but sometimes issues while installing applications can occur.
According to users, they are receiving theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror messagewhile trying to install certain applications.
Luckily, there are ways to fix it onWindows 10.
How to solve this installation package could not be opened?
Solution 1 – Make sure that the application is unblocked
Depending on your security settings, Windows 10 can sometimes block certain applications from installing, causing theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror to appear. To fix this problem, you just need to find your setupfileand unblock it. This is rather simple:
After unblocking your setupfile, try to run the application again. If you don’t have an Unblock option, it means that thisfileis already unblocked, so you’ll need to use a different solution.
Solution 2 – Temporarily disable your antivirus
Yourantivirusis one of the most important applications on your PC, protecting you from unsafe and maliciousfiles. It can also prevent certainfilesfrom running, however. If that happens, you can encounter theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror message.
According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by disabling your antivirus software. After disabling your antivirus, try running the setupfileagain and check if theerror messageappears.
Keep in mind that Windows 10 comes with built-in antivirus with itsWindows Defender, so even if you disable your third-party antivirus your PC will remain safe.
If disabling your antivirus fixes the problem, you might want to check its configuration and try to find the cause of the problem.
On the other hand, if this error appears frequently, you might want to try updating your antivirus. In the worst-case scenario, you might need to switch to a different antivirus software altogether.
Solution 3 – Check ifWindowsInstallerservice is running
In order toinstallany application,WindowsInstallerneeds to run. Sometimes, though, this service can become disabled which can cause theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror.
To fix it, you need to manually startWindowsInstaller. This is relatively simple:
Theinstallationprocess is closely related toWindowsInstallerservice, so if you’re having this problem, be sure to check if the aforementioned service is running.
Solution 4 – Modify your registry
According to users, you might be able to solve this issue simply by modifying your registry. Modifying the registry can be potentially dangerous and can lead to system instability, therefore we advise you to be cautious.
To modify your registry, do the following:
After making the changes, try to start theinstallationagain.
If any new problems occur after changing your registry, you can restore it at any time simply by running the backupfilethat you created inStep 3.
Solution 5 – Create a new user account
According to users, you can fix theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror simply by creating a new user account. Sometimes, your regular user account might not have the necessary privileges or it might be corrupted, causing this problem to occur.
To fix the issue, you need to create a new user account and try to install the application from that account:
After creating a new user account, log out of your current account and switch to the new one.
Now, locate the setupfileand try to run it. If you manage to install the application, you can go back to your main account and try to run it again.
After doing that, feel free to delete the newly created account since you won’t need it anymore.
A few users reported that this error occurs because they have a special character in their username.
Certain setupfilescan’t handle special characters, so they will give you thiserror message. If that’s the case, you’ll have to create a new account that has only alphanumeric characters in its name and use it to install the problematic application.
Solution 6 – Enable a hidden administrator account
If creating a new user account doesn’t fix theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror, you might need to enable the hiddenadministratoraccount. This is rather simple:
This will enable the hidden administrator account. Now, log out of your current account and switch to the new administrator account. After doing that, locate the setupfileand try toinstallthe application again.
If you manage toinstallthe application, go back to your main account.
After switching back to your main account check if the application is working properly.
If so, start Command Prompt as administrator and run thenet user administrator/active:nocommand to disable the administrator account.
Solution 7 – Move the setup file to the root directory
Sometimes, in order to fix theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror, you need to move yourinstallationfileto the root directory on your PC.
To do that, you just have to locate the setupfileand move it toC:or any other root directory. After doing that, simply start theinstallationand it should work without any issues.
Keep in mind that you can move the setupfileto any root directory on yourhard drive.
Solution 8 – Create a .bat file
According to users, you can fix this problem by creating a .batfileand using it to run theinstallation. To do that, follow these steps:
If this method works, you’ll have to use it every time this message appears.
Several users are also suggesting to make some adjustments to your registry in order to fix this problem. Before we start, we advise you to back up your registry just in case.
We have to mention that this solution is potentially dangerous, so use it at your own risk. To make these changes, do the following:
This is a bit of an advanced solution, so you need to be extra cautious while performing steps 3 to 8.
As we already mentioned, it’s highly recommended you create a backup of your registry so you can easily restore it in case anything goes wrong.
Solution 9 – Try using a different browser
According to users, theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror can appear because your download is corrupted. To fix this problem, you need to download the setupfileagain with a different browser.
Several users reported that this solution worked for them, so we highly recommend you try it out.
Solution 10 – Make sure that the setup file is located on a local drive
Users reported that theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror appears if your setupfileis located on a network drive.
If that’s the case, simply move the setupfilefrom a network drive and try toinstallit again.
Solution 11 – Re-registerWindowsInstaller
You might be able to fix theThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror simply by re-registeringWindowsInstaller. This is relatively simple:
After doing that, try toinstallthe application again and check if the problem is resolved.
Solution 12 – Change environment variables
You might be able to fix this problem simply by changing your environment variables. This is relatively simple, and you can do it by following these steps:
After doing that, try toinstallthe application again. If the problem persists, you might want to return environment variables to their default values.
Solution 13 – Completely remove iTunes and QuickTime
According to users, they are getting this error when trying toinstalliTunes.
To fix the problem, you need to uninstall iTunes and QuickTime. To do that, follow these steps:
A few users reported that in order to fix the problem, you need to delete all thefilesassociated with iTunes and Quicktime, so be sure to do that as well. After, you should be able toinstallthe application without any problems.
Before we go, we covered a similar error in ourThis app package is not supported for installation by app installerarticle, so check it out for more potential solutions.
TheThisinstallationpackage could not be openederror can prevent you from installing new applications and even though this error can be a nuisance, you should be able to solve it by using one of our solutions.
More about the topics:Install guides,windows 10 fix
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
User forum
4 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
