Microsoft KB Archive/895141

= How to start Windows Installer in Safe Mode in Windows Server 2003 =

Article ID: 895141

Article Last Modified on 9/27/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

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Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista



INTRODUCTION
By default, you cannot start Microsoft Windows Installer in Safe Mode. If you installed an application by using Windows Installer, you cannot uninstall the application in Safe Mode.

When you try to start Windows Installer in Safe Mode, you receive the following error message:

Error 1084: This service cannot be started in Safe Mode

This article describes how to configure Microsoft Windows Server 2003 so that you can start Windows Installer in Safe Mode.



MORE INFORMATION
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To start Windows Installer in Safe Mode, follow these steps:  Restart your computer in Safe Mode by pressing F8 before the Windows splash screen. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal

 On the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type MSIServer . Double-click Default, type Service in the Value data box, and then click OK. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart your computer. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.</li> Double-click Windows Installer, and then click Start.</li></ol>

You can now remove the application in Safe Mode.

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