SQL Server installation and patching are essential tasks for every DBA. While some DBAs prefer using scripts, others opt for a manual approach. However, there are instances when the installation process encounters errors, requiring troubleshooting and finding solutions online.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to fix the error “Unable to open Windows Installer file -2147286960” that occurs during the installation of a standalone instance of SQL Server 2016.
During the setup wizard, you may encounter the following error message:
The following error has occurred: Unable to open Windows Installer file 'C:\SQL2016\SQLServer2016SP1-FullSlipstream-x64-ENU\x64\setup\sql_as.msi'. Windows Installer error message: 1: 2203 2: C:\SQL2016\SQLServer2016SP1-FullSlipstream-x64-ENU\x64\setup\sql_as.msi 3: -2147286960. Click 'Retry' to retry the failed action, or click 'Cancel' to cancel this action and continue setup.
Upon investigating the specified location, you may find that the file in question is already present. However, upon further inspection, you may notice that the subject description for this MSI file is blank, and its size is 0KB.
This peculiar situation could occur when extracting the ISO image, especially if it is a newly downloaded image. To resolve this issue, you can try the following workaround:
- Re-extract the ISO image to ensure the file is in the correct state.
- If possible, copy the specific file from a different ISO image and replace it in the current location.
After performing the above steps, you should be able to fix the error and complete the setup without any further issues.
As a best practice, it is recommended to mount the ISO to the operating system and then install SQL Server, rather than using third-party tools to unzip the files. This approach can help avoid potential extraction issues.
Have you ever encountered similar issues with the extraction of ISO images during SQL Server installations? Share your experiences and any additional tips in the comments below!