Why do I get an "Error reading from file" error when trying to install?

Question

Whenever I try to install AgentRansack_825.exe on a fresh Windows 8.1 install, I get the following error:

I have tried even locating the .msi and manually installing it, but I still get the same error.

Answer 1

The error is generated by the Microsoft Installer (MSI) program when it can't read the data contained in the .msi file. This error usually occurs during the period that MSIEXEC is running in an elevated privileges mode as the SYSTEM account.

If the SYSTEM account does not have access to the temp folder that the MSI file has been extracted to it'll fail with the message

"Error reading from file .. Verify that the file exists and that you can access it."

To fix the problem ensure that the SYSTEM account has access to the temp folder:

1 - Navigate to the temp folder reported in the error message, e.g.

C:\Users\Derrick\AppData\Local\Temp

2 - Right click on the folder and choose Properties

3 - Check that the SYSTEM account has full access to the folder. If it doesn't click the Edit... button to give it full access.

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More information

This problem can be seen on numerous forums:

http://superuser.com/questions/169834/cant-run-windows-7-installer-error-reading-from-file

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/fix-error-reading-from-the-xxmsi-file-verify-that/52afad63-d871-440b-a042-e9d154610c83

Comments

That was really weird.  I would have just assumed that SYSTEM already had access to %temp%

Thank you very much!