"The MSIEXEC.EXE file is linked to a missing export MSI.DLL:222" error message when you to install, update, or remove a Windows Installer-based program (324638)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office 2000
  • Microsoft Access 2002
  • Microsoft Access 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2002
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
  • Microsoft Publisher 2002
  • Microsoft Publisher 2000
  • Microsoft Word 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2000
  • Microsoft Office XP Professional
  • Microsoft Office XP Small Business
  • Microsoft Office XP Standard
  • Microsoft Office XP Students and Teachers
  • Microsoft Office XP Developer
This article was previously published under Q324638

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install, update, or remove any Windows Installer-based program, you may receive an error message similar to the following:
The MSIEXEC.EXE file is linked to a missing export MSI.DLL:222.
After you click OK, you receive an error message similar to the following:
Cannot launch C:\Windows\System\MSIEXEC.EXE, a device attached to the system is not functioning.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the Windows Installer files are mismatched because of an attempted update of the Windows Installer.

RESOLUTION

IMPORTANT: Before you follow the steps later in this section to resolve the issue, restart your computer and then try to install, update, or remove your Office program again. If Windows Installer has recently received upgraded files, the files are copied to a temporary location and the files are not copied to the appropriate folder until you restart the computer.

To resolve this issue, follow the steps in this four-part procedure in the order in which they are presented.

Part 1: Download the Windows Installer Update

  1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site, as appropriate for your operating system:
  2. Click the link under Download Now, and then click Save.
  3. Save the file to the desktop.

Part 2: Rename the Windows Installer Files

Windows 95 and Windows 98

  1. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
  2. Click Restart in MS-DOS mode, and then click OK.
  3. At the command prompt, type the following (pressing ENTER after each line):

    cd system
    ren msi.dll msi.old
    ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old
    ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old
    exit

    Windows restarts.

Windows NT 4.0

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type command, and then click OK.
  3. At the command prompt, type the following (pressing ENTER after each line):

    cd \winnt\system32
    ren msi.dll msi.old
    ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old
    ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old
    exit

  4. Restart the computer.

Windows Me

  1. If you have a Windows Me Startup disk, go to step 7.
  2. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  3. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  4. Click the Startup Disk tab.
  5. Click Create Disk to create the Startup disk.

    NOTE: In some circumstances, you may be prompted to insert the Windows Me CD when you click Create Disk. This occurs if the installation files that are necessary to create the Startup disk are not on the hard disk.
  6. When you are prompted, insert a formatted floppy disk in the floppy disk drive, and then click OK to confirm that the contents of the floppy disk may be overwritten.
  7. Insert the Startup disk (or leave the Startup disk) in the floppy disk drive.
  8. Restart the computer. When you are prompted to select how to start, click Minimum Boot.
  9. At the command prompt, type the following (pressing ENTER after each line):

    c:
    cd \windows\system
    ren msi.dll msi.old
    ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old
    ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old

  10. Remove the Startup disk, and then restart the computer.

Part 3: Start Your Computer in Safe Mode

Windows 95 and Windows 98

  1. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
  2. Click Restart, and then click OK.
  3. On a Windows 95-based computer, press F5 as soon as you see the "Starting Windows 95" message.

    -or-

    On a Windows 98-based computer, press and hold down the SHIFT key as soon as the Power on Self Test (POST) has completed.
  4. When Windows finishes loading, click OK to close the message about safe mode.

Windows NT 4.0

NOTE: The closest condition to safe mode in Windows NT 4.0 is if you quit all unnecessary programs or tasks.

Follow these steps to quit all unnecessary programs that run in the background:
  1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
  2. Click a program that is unnecessary to run.
  3. Click End Task.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all unnecessary programs have closed.

Windows Me

  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. On the General tab, click Selective startup.
  3. Click to clear all of the check boxes under Selective startup.
  4. On the Startup tab, click to select the *StateMgr check box.
  5. Click OK. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.

Part 4: Install the Windows Installer Update

  1. On the desktop, double-click Instmsiw.exe or Instmsia.exe.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
  3. In Windows Me, use the MSCONFIG utility to select a normal startup.
  4. Restart the computer.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kberrmsg kbprb KB324638
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.