"Could not access network location %PUBLIC%\Desktop\" install errors

Symptoms

When installing iTunes for Windows, you receive the following error message:

If you click "Cancel" you receive the following error message:

If you click "OK" you receive the following message:

Resolution

The error is typically caused by a missing value in a registry key. Replacing the registry key value allows the installation to go through properly.

Note that the following procedure involves a registry edit. Back up your registry prior to proceeding.

(1) First, launch Regedit.

Windows XP: Open your Start Menu and click "Run". In the "Run" dialog that comes up, type regedit in the "Open" field and click "OK".

Windows Vista or Windows 7: In your Start Search field, type regedit. Right-click on the Regedit entry that comes up and select "Run as administrator" as per the following screenshot:

(2) In the left-hand pane of Regedit, click the "plus" sign (Windows XP) or small triangle (Windows Vista or Windows 7) next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to expand its contents.

(3) Expand the contents of Software

(4) Expand the contents of Microsoft

(5) Expand the contents of Windows NT

(6) Expand the contents of CurrentVersion

(7) Select ProfileList

(8) In the right-hand pane of Regedit right-click on an area of empty space, and select "New > Expandable String Value", as per the following screenshot:

(9) A new value of the type REG_EXPAND_SZ should appear, with an editable name as per the following screenshot:

... rename it from New Value #1 to Public, as per the following screenshot:

(10) Right-click on the name Public and select "Modify ...", as per the following screenshot:

(11) In the "Edit String" window that comes up, type %SystemDrive%\Users\Public in the "Value data:" filed and click "OK" as per the following screenshot:

... the key should now look like the following screenshot:

(12) Quit out of Regedit. Restart the PC, and try another iTunes for Windows install.