Windows Update Bug prevents use of programs

Hi, hope you can help me:
Windows update launches when some applications should be started.
Windows Word 2004
DirIt 4.0
Excel
etc.
Usually, a pop-up will show saying Windows installer is preparing to launch.
This takes 1-2 minutes, then... nothing happens.

along with it, some updates concerning office can't be installed

I reinstalled Windows Installer, but to no avail.
[WIN XP, SP2, all general updates installed, scanned for viruses.]

Update: I unregistered Windows Installer.
Now I can't install ANYTHING, not even a new version of Installer.
This is starting to annoy me...

"Innergetic" wrote:

> Hi, hope you can help me:
> Windows update launches when some applications should be started.
> Windows Word 2004
> DirIt 4.0
> Excel
> etc.
> Usually, a pop-up will show saying Windows installer is preparing to launch.
> This takes 1-2 minutes, then... nothing happens.
>
> along with it, some updates concerning office can't be installed
>
> I reinstalled Windows Installer, but to no avail.
> [WIN XP, SP2, all general updates installed, scanned for viruses.]
>

Use System Restore to roll the system back to when you started messing with
Windows Installer. Then go here and read this:

Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

Run the CleanUp utility and remove the installation info for the programs
that are being launched for installation on their own or unexpectedly.

You *may* need to rename the subfolder that deals with Windows Updates as it
'sounds' like there has been some corruption done to it. To do so you will
have to stop the AU service first.
Start > Run > type in

net stop wuauserv
Click OK or press Enter

To restart the service either restart the system or run

net start wuauserv
Click OK or press Enter

Then you may need to show hidden file, folder, and system files.
The subfolder in question is WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
*Strongly* suggest that you configure the installed antivirus and/or
anti-malware software to NOT scan
WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
That specific subfolder contains a database of update activity and
transactional logs. Damage to either may be the cause of the issue you're
witnessing.
IF you delete the DataStore.edb located in DataStore, you will erase the
History of updating shown on either the Windows or Microsoft update sites.

Suggest you first delete the contents of
WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download
WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\EventCache
and see if that resolves any further issues. If that does not, then delete
the contents of DataStore.
If still no joy, delete ALL of the subfolders of
WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
They will be recreated on the first trip to or initialization of Automatic
Updates.


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


"Innergetic" wrote:

> Update: I unregistered Windows Installer.
> Now I can't install ANYTHING, not even a new version of Installer.
> This is starting to annoy me...
>
> "Innergetic" wrote:
>
> > Hi, hope you can help me:
> > Windows update launches when some applications should be started.
> > Windows Word 2004
> > DirIt 4.0
> > Excel
> > etc.
> > Usually, a pop-up will show saying Windows installer is preparing to launch.
> > This takes 1-2 minutes, then... nothing happens.
> >
> > along with it, some updates concerning office can't be installed
> >
> > I reinstalled Windows Installer, but to no avail.
> > [WIN XP, SP2, all general updates installed, scanned for viruses.]
> >