Microsoft KB Archive/834549

= You receive a &quot;cannot open the device or file specified&quot; error message when you try to install a Windows Installer package =

Article ID: 834549

Article Last Modified on 8/13/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Installer 2.0

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to install a Microsoft Windows Installer package, you may receive the following error message:

The system cannot open the device or file specified



CAUSE
This problem may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:
 * The folder in which the Windows Installer package is located is encrypted or if the folder in which you want to install the Windows Installer package is encrypted.
 * The temp folder (%TEMP%) is encrypted on a version of Windows other than Windows Vista. Encryption may have been enabled for this folder by the user or through a tool such as the Microsoft Encrypting File System Assistant (EFS Assistant).



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods:
 * Save the Windows Installer package to a folder that is not encrypted.
 * Install the Windows Installer package to a folder that is not encrypted.
 * Turn off encryption on the %TEMP% folder.



Steps to reproduce the behavior
 In your system root folder, create a new folder that is named msiTest. Copy the Setup file of the Windows Installer package that you want install to the msiTest folder. Encrypt the msiTest folder:  Right-click the msiTest folder, and then click Properties.

The msiTest Properties dialog box appears. In the msiTest Properties dialog box, click the General tab. On the General tab, click Advanced.

The Advanced Attributes dialog box appears.</li> In the Advanced Attributes dialog box, click to select the Encrypt contents to secure data options, and then click OK.</li> Click OK.</li></ol> </li> In the msiTest folder, double-click the Setup file of the Windows Installer package.</li></ol>

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