You receive a "Windows File Protection" error message when you try to install Microsoft Office (871220)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office XP (Setup), when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows XP SP1
  • Microsoft Office 2000 (Setup), when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows XP SP1



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

When you try to install Microsoft Office 2000 or Microsoft Office XP on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, you may receive the following error message:
Windows File Protection: Please insert the Windows XP <Version> Service Pack 1 CD and click OK

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you try to install Office or one of its components on a new computer that contains an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) installation of Microsoft Windows XP.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, change the registry entry that specifies where the source files are located. To do this, follow these steps:

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

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\
  3. In the Name column, right-click the ServicePackSourcePath entry, and then click Modify.
  4. In the Value data text box, type the path of the ServicePackFiles folder on your computer.

    For example, type the following:
    <drive>:\<windows folder>\ServicePackFiles

    The <drive> is the drive where Windows is installed on your computer, and the <windows folder> is the folder where Windows is installed on your computer.
  5. Click OK, and then quit Registry Editor.
  6. Restart your computer, and then run Office setup.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

REFERENCES

For more information about Windows Registry, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

For information about Office or any one of its components, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://office.microsoft.com/home/default.aspx

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/25/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB871220 kbAudEndUser
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.