MSI Installer issue

Description

"error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation" error message when you try to install a Windows Installer package

Environment

• N-able N-central 9+

Solution

To resolve this problem, do any one of the following, depending on the cause of the problem:
A. Check if the app is already installed on the PC. If so, uninstall and reinstall the app.
If you previously had a desktop shortcut for an app, the shortcut may have been lost during the upgrade to Windows 10. In such cases, the app is likely still installed on the PC, resulting in this error when you attempt to reinstall the app. You can restore the shortcut by searching for the app, and if it's found, press and hold (or right-click) the app and select Pin to Start. Or you can resolve the issue by uninstalling and then reinstalling the app. To search for and uninstall apps in Windows 10:
1. On the Start menu, select Settings.
2. In Settings, select System > Apps & features.
3. If the app is listed then this is, select it and then select Uninstall.
4. Follow the directions on the screen.

B. Install the package to a folder that is not encrypted.

Use this method if you receive the error message because you try to install the Windows Installer package to a folder that is encrypted.
C. Install the package to a drive that is not accessed as a substitute drive.
Use this method if you receive the error message because the drive that contains the folder that you try to install the Windows Installer package to is accessed as a substitute drive.

D. Grant Full Control permissions to the SYSTEM account.
Use this method if you receive the error message because the SYSTEM account does not have Full Control permissions on the folder you are installing the Windows Installer package to.

To grant Full Control permissions to the SYSTEM account, follow these steps:
1. Open File Explorer (or Windows Explorer), right-click the drive that you want to install the Windows Installer package to, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab. Verify that the Group or user names box contains the SYSTEM user account. If the SYSTEM user account doesn't appear in the box, follow these steps to add the SYSTEM account:
- Click Edit. If prompted, approve the User Account Control.
- ClickAdd. The Select Users or Groups dialog box appears.
- In the Enter the object names to select field, type SYSTEM, and then clickCheck names.
- ClickOK.

3. To change permissions, click Edit. If prompted, approve the User Account Control.
4. Select the SYSTEM user account, and verify in the Permissions section that Full Control is set to Allow. If not, select the Allow check box.
5. Close the Permissions dialog and return to the Properties dialog. Click Advanced.
6. Select Change permissions. If prompted, approve the User Account Control.
7. In the Permissions tab, select the SYSTEM entry and click Edit.
8. Click the Applies to dropdown and select This folder, subfolder and files. Click OK.
9. Wait for the operating system to apply the permissions that you have selected to all child folders.
10. Run the Windows Installer package.