"There is a problem with this Windows Installer package ..." error messages when installing iTunes for Windows
Symptoms
When updating or installing iTunes for Windows, you may receive one of the following error messages:
There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor.
There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program run as part of the setup did not finish as expected. Contact your support personnel or package vendor.
Resolutions
The most common cause of the errors is an out-of-date or damaged version of Apple Software Update for Windows on the PC. If that's what is afoot, updating or repairing your Apple Software Update for Windows should get you past the errors.
First, check to see if your Apple Software Update for Windows is up to date
In your Start Menu, click All Programs and then click Apple Software Update.
In Apple Software Update, check to see if you are being offered a new version of Apple Software Update. If there's a new version of Apple Software Update showing in the list of available updates, select the Apple Software Update update and deselect any other software that may also be being offered to you at the same time. Now install the new version of Apple Software Update.
If the new version of Apple Software Update for Windows installs properly, now try another iTunes for Windows update or install.
If Apple Software Update does not appear under "All Programs" or no newer version of Apple Software Update appears in Apple Software Update, do a repair install of your Apple Software Update for Windows
First, restart your PC.
If you're using Windows XP, go into your "Add or Remove programs" control panel. Select Apple Software Update, click "Change" and then click "Repair".
If you're using Vista or Windows 7, go into your "Uninstall a program" control panel. Select Apple Software Update and click "Repair".
If the repair install goes through properly, now try another iTunes for Windows update or install.
Note: a very similar error message during iTunes for Windows installs requires a different resolution
If you receive the following very-similar error message:
There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A DLL required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor.
... instead apply the procedure from the Resolution section of the following user tip:
See also: