"Windows files must be installed for your installation to proceed" error message when you try to install an Office 2000 program (324654)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Access 2000
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
  • Microsoft Publisher 2000
  • Microsoft Word 2002
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Premium
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Professoinal
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Standard
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Developer
  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q324654
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

If you try to install an Office 2000 program on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer, you may receive the following error message:
Windows File Protection:

Windows files must be installed for your installation to proceed.
When you click OK, another dialog box appears that gives you these options: Retry, More Information, or Cancel. You are not given the option to locate the Windows files.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if either of the following conditions is true:
  • The Setup path in the registry points to an incorrect location for the I386 folder. The Office 2000 products update system files and Windows File Protection need access to the I386 folder to verify the integrity of the certain files.
  • The number of files cached by Windows File Protection is too low.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use either of the following methods.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Method 1: Change the Registry SourcePath Value

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup

  4. In the right pane, double-click SourcePath.
  5. In the Edit String dialog box, specify the location of the I386 folder.

    NOTE: Because you have this folder on your hard disk, you can point to that location. For example, if path is C:\Windows\Driver Cache\I386, give this key a value of C:\Windows\Driver Cache.
  6. Quit Registry Editor.
NOTE: You may have to repeat these steps for the ServicePackSourcePath key.

Method 2: Increase the Number of Files Cached by Windows File Protection

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon

  4. In the right pane, double-click SfcQuota.
  5. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, under Value data type ffffffff, and then click OK.

    NOTE: The value includes eight f's. The value should read 0xffffffff (4294967295). This specifies the size of the cache, as does the command line.
  6. Quit Registry Editor.
  7. Click Start, and then click Run.
  8. In the Open box, type command, and then click OK.
  9. At the command prompt, type sfc /cachesize=ffffffff /scanonce, and then press ENTER.

    NOTE: The command includes eight f's.
  10. Type exit, and then press ENTER.
  11. Restart your computer.
  12. Install Office 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about registry settings for Windows File Protection, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

222473 Registry Settings for Windows File Protection

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/13/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kbstartprogram kbsetup kberrmsg kbprb KB324654
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