Fix: ‘The Installation Package Could not be Opened’ Error in Windows

Windows is one of the most popular operating systems that is developed and distributed by Microsoft. The latest version is Windows 10 which is a lot faster and more secure than the previous ones. Users can install from a list of almost unlimited applications on their computer. However, quite recently, a lot of users have been complaining about the “The Installation Package Could Not be Opened” Error while installing an app.

The Installation Package Could Not be Opened Error

What Causes “The Installation Package Could not be Opened” Error?

After receiving numerous reports from multiple users, we decided to investigate the issue and devised a set of solutions to fix it completely. Also, we looked into the reasons due to which it is triggered and listed them as follows.

  • Installation Service: This error is caused by the installation service being stopped, the service is responsible for installing all packages on the computer and if it is stopped the installation of the packages is also prevented.
  • Administrative Privileges: Some installation packages might require special permissions from the administrator to install them. If these permissions aren’t provided this error might be triggered for the installer.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the nature of the problem, we will move on towards the solutions. Make sure to implement these in the specific order in which they are presented to avoid conflicts.

Solution 1: Launching Service

Since the installer service has been stopped, the installation of any package will be prevented until the service is started again. Therefore, in this step, we will be starting the service. For that:

  1. Press “Windows” + “R” to open the Run prompt.
  2. Type in “Services.msc” and press “Enter“.
    Typing in “Services.msc” and pressing “Enter”
  3. Scroll down and double click on the “Windows Installer” service.
    Double-clicking on “Windows Installer” service
  4. Click on the “Start” button to launch the installer service.
    Selecting “Start”
  5. Navigate back to the desktop, right-click anywhere and select “Refresh“.
  6. Try to install the package now and check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 2: Signing in as Administrator

If the issue isn’t fixed by launching the service, it may be being caused due to insufficient permissions. Therefore, in this step, we will be signing in to an Administrator account. For that:

  1. Press “Windows” + “R” to open the Run prompt.
  2. Type in “cmd” and press “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “Enter” to provide adminsitrative privileges.
    Typing cmd in the Run Prompt and pressing “Shift”+ “Ctrl” + “Enter”
  3. Type in the following command and press “Enter” to execute it.
    net user administrator /active:yes
  4. Log out of your account and select the “Administrator” account.
  5. Try to install the package and check to see if the issue persists.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.