All MSI Installs fail on Win Server 2016 - Error code 1603

F

fstephane

My company has a client who is running Win Server 2016. We are trying to install VirtualBox on the server, but the MSI fails immediately as soon as the actual install begins (it gets past the first few configuration screens). It gives the generic "The Setup Wizard ended prematurely due to a fatal error" message.

The error code coming back from the MSI is 1603. I turned on MSI logging but found no additional details apart from the 1603 error. I did a lot of research on proposed solutions to the error and tried everything I found short of rebooting the server. It's definitely not a permissions issue as I was installing as administrator and tried installing in a different location with full permissions for everyone/system user.

I tried installing another small program that my company built that also has an MSI installer. This one failed with the exact same error. These programs and installers are not at all related besides the fact that they are both MSIs.

The IT guy for the client says the server has the latest windows updates. I will ask him to do a reboot. I know Microsoft has deprecated their Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Is there a reputable 3rd party installer cleanup tool I could try? I would appreciate any additional info or suggestions!

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