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Recently, some users have been affected by the Windows Installer error 1619 on Windows 10 and other OS versions. The issue happened when the affected users were trying to install certain programs. As such, it’s likely that the problem is related to Windows Installer.

According to various testimonies about the issue, the error only happens when trying to install some programs using the Windows Installer infrastructure. So, what is the Windows Installer Error Code 1619 and how can you solve it?

This guide provides all the answers.

What Is the Windows Installer Error 1619 on Windows 10?

The Windows Installer Error Code 1619 occurs when Windows Installer tries to install a program but is unsuccessful. The error implies that the installer can neither open the installation package nor complete the process.

Code 1619 in the error is translated as ERROR_INSTALL_PACKAGE_OPEN_FAILED. This means that the attempt of Windows Installer to open the package has failed.

During a program installation using Windows Installer, if the operation fails, the following error message may appear, along with the Error Code 1619:

This installation package could not be opened. Verify that the package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer package.

Looking at the error message, it is clear that it happened because the package that contained the files to be installed on the PC couldn’t be opened. This could be due to anything from file corruption to missing files. The error message encourages the user to check if the installation package exists and can be accessed. Note that if the package is corrupt, Windows Installer probably won’t be able to open it. It also advises the user to contact the program developer for further guidance.

Why Does the Windows Installer Error 1619 Occur?

There is no smoke without fire and, in the case of Windows 10, no error code without underlying issues. The Windows Installer Error Code 1619 does not just happen for no reason. A deep dive into the issue revealed that there are several different causes that may trigger it. Below is a list of the most common culprits responsible for the failure of Windows Installer to install or update a program.

  • Missing installer or installer files. This is the most common cause of the error on older devices. When a redistributable update for Windows Installer is missing, the issue can happen. The missing component needs to be manually downloaded and installed on the system.
  • A false-positive from AV suite. Some antivirus programs like AVG Antivirus and ZoneAlarm Extreme Security are known to be too overzealous when scanning apps, triggering false positives everywhere. In this specific instance, certain AV tools can block apps, programs, and installations with older security certificates. In most cases when this is the cause, nothing can solve it besides replacing the overprotective software with a more adaptive AV utility like Auslogics Anti-Malware.
  • Missing .NET Framework. Certain Windows apps and programs rely on various iterations of .NET Framework to run properly or even install. If the required framework files are absent from the system, the program installation may be unsuccessful. The obvious solution in this scenario would be to install the correct framework files first and then retry installing the program.
  • Missing installation files. This is an uncommon reason for Windows Installer error 1619. A typical application from a renowned developer has its installer package properly vetted and checked. This might not be the case if the app is developed by an independent developer, especially an individual. You need to verify that the package you’re trying to install doesn’t have missing files. This is because, if some files are missing, Windows will be unable to install the program no matter what you do.
  • Network or firewall issues. It’s possible for a network or firewall issue to cause error 1619 as well. This can happen when Windows Installer needs to download additional files from the web but there’s a network issue or the firewall has blocked the connection.
  • Successive installation. The Error 1619 could also be the result of a previous incomplete installation. When you try a fresh installation on top of a failed one, the new installation may fail and bring up the Error Code 1619. In general, it is better to delete the previous package and any installed components of the failed installation before installing a fresh package.

These are the main reasons why the Windows Installer Error Code 1619 can occur on a Windows 10 PC. Though they’re not the only ones, they cover most of the underlying issues behind the annoying bug that causes installation failure on Windows. Now that you know the likely culprits, you can use the list of possible fixes in this guide. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to eliminate the bug and successfully install your favorite programs.

How to Fix the Windows Installer Error 1619

There are several methods to troubleshoot the Error Code 1619 when Windows fails to install a program. The most suitable method will depend on your OS version or the type of software you’re trying to install. The version of .NET Framework or Windows Installer on the machine can also be a factor for choosing the ideal solution.

Here are eight ways you can fix the Windows Installer Error Code 1619:

  • Update Windows
  • Uninstall or disable your AV or firewall
  • Install the correct framework files
  • Install the needed Redistributable package (Windows 7)
  • Check the integrity of the installation files
  • Use the deployment command
  • Clean the registry
  • Contact the program developer

You can consult the explanations below for details on how each method can be done.

Fix 1. Update Windows

Windows Installer is the native installation utility on Windows. It works in conjunction with other system components to deliver the best installation experience. The utility uses many files and relies on some associated services.

This means that an installation can fail if the required files are outdated, damaged, corrupted, or missing. The best way to quickly restore these files is by updating the entire system. During a Windows update, faulty files are automatically overwritten by the updated files. So, a previously malfunctioning program should start working.

In addition, Microsoft has released multiple patches and hotfixes for various Windows issues that may be affecting the installer as well. Updating the OS guarantees that you’ve applied all the official patches and bug fixes. This should help to reduce, if not completely eliminate, incidences of random problems like the Windows Installer Error Code 1619.

If a new update is available for your OS version and you haven’t got a prompt, you can manually check and install the updates.

  • Right-click the Start menu and select Settings.
  • Select Update & Security.
  • Select Windows Update on the left pane, then go to the right pane and check if updates are available.
  • Otherwise, click Check for Updates and download any identified updates.

Reboot your PC to install the updates and then try running the program installation again.

If your operating system isn’t the issue, overzealous security software might be. Check the next fix.

Fix 2. Uninstall or Disable AV or Firewall

Based on numerous testimonies, it’s obvious that one of the prime causes of the Error Code 1619 is an overzealous security suite, VPN, or firewall.

Sometimes, the OS will refuse to install software that uses the Windows Installer infrastructure because it is being blocked by an AV or firewall utility. Certain VPNs are known to cause the same issue, especially if the installation requires additional files from servers hosted in a restricted region.

Let’s examine each scenario of AV suite, firewall utility, and VPN.

A few anti-malware utilities including AVG Antivirus and ZoneAlarm ES are known to trigger the issue. This can happen randomly even though the program being blocked is legitimate.

The easiest way to check whether this is the case is to disable the security software in question and then try to install the program again. If the installation succeeds, it means that you’ve found your culprit.

At this point, you have a decision to make. If you would really like to keep using the software, you can update it and then check whether it still interferes with legitimate PC operations. If that option isn’t available, you can use Windows Defender. Another option is using a security utility like Auslogics Anti-Malware that won’t give you unnecessary headaches.

In the case of a firewall, you should check whether the firewall is blocking inbound connections. This is more likely to be the case if the installer needs to download extra files from the Internet.

Like the above, turn off the firewall for a time and then run the installation again. If the program gets installed, you can whitelist Windows Installer to make sure this issue doesn’t reoccur in the future.

If an installed VPN is what is causing the Error Code 1619 to appear when installing apps, turn off the VPN and run the installation with your network connection.

If that doesn’t help, you can try choosing a VPN server from the software developer’s region in case the extra files Windows Installer needs are region-restricted.

Fix 3. Install the Correct Framework Files

.NET Framework is a collection of frameworks that many programs on Windows need for operation. Like most other overarching packages, such as DirectX and Microsoft Visual Studio, .NET Framework is periodically updated. Each major update is assigned a version name.

Some programs require a specific version of the framework. This means that if that version isn’t present on the machine, the program either won’t install or it won’t run (properly) after installation. A program like Rhino3D, for example, won’t install and instead cause the Error Code 1619 in Windows Installer. This can happen if the needed .NET Framework 4.8 files aren’t on the PC.

This type of error due to missing framework files doesn’t occur often on Windows 10. This is because .NET Framework 4.8 comes pre-installed in the OS. Moreover, Windows Update automatically takes care of updating .NET Framework whenever Microsoft releases a new version.

However, if Windows Update is stuck for some reason and .NET Framework isn’t updated, you can manually apply the necessary update. Simply follow the procedure below to get .NET Framework 4.8 up and running on your computer.

  • Open your browser and visit the Microsoft official download page for .NET Framework 4.8.
  • Click Download .NET Framework Runtime to proceed.
  • Navigate to where you saved the file on your PC and double-click it to start the installation. Click Yes when the UAC prompt appears.
  • Follow the instructions on the installer to complete the installation of the missing framework files.

When you’re done installing, reboot the machine and check whether you can install the program that was running into the Error Code 1619 brick wall.

Fix 4. Install the Needed Redistributable package (Windows 7 or Earlier)

Do your attempts to install a program on Windows 7 or earlier keep getting stymied by the Error Code 1619? It could be because the system is missing a key update to the Windows Installer infrastructure that enables it to handle installations containing multiple sub-packages.

The update in question is installed in Windows 8 and later by default. However, on earlier Windows versions, it should be installed through the Windows Update component. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, especially now that Windows has ended support for these versions of the OS.

If this is the case, you should manually install the Windows Installer 4.5 Redistributable. Doing so will enable you to finish installing the special installer packages and avoid the Error Code 1619 nuking the process.

The procedure below will help you to successfully install the Windows Installer 4.5 Redistributable package on your computer.

  • Open your browser and visit the Windows Installer 4.5 Redistributable download page.
  • On the page, click the Select Language box and choose the language you want.
  • Click the Download button, tick the executable designed for your Windows version, and click Next.
  • When the package downloads, double-click on it and follow the onscreen instructions to install it.
  • Reboot the machine.

Attempt to install the program that previously failed to install and check whether error code 1619 still shows up. If the issue persists, turn to the next solution.

Fix 5. Check the Integrity of the Installation Files

The Error Code 1619 on Windows Installer could be the result of the installation package failing to open. That, after all, is what the error code precisely means.

While there are various reasons why a file fails to open, the most common one is file corruption. For example, if you tried to unpack a corrupt archive file, you might not get the files within it. The same thing can happen to the installer package of a program.

Make sure that the package you’re trying to install on the PC actually exists. So, check if the package is accessible to Windows Installer. If the installer is restricted from the program package’s location, for instance, it won’t be able to access the file. Make sure no such restrictions exist.

One thing you can do is re-download the program package and delete the old one. Then, try to install again.

One must say that this type of issue is more common with programs from indie developers as they don’t have the same resources that the big companies do. Installation package errors and even missing files are sometimes unavoidable.

Furthermore, if you’re trying to install a legacy program that hasn’t been updated for a long time, you can get this error. Since it’s no longer supported, it might no longer be fully compatible with a modern operating system. You can try installing it in compatibility mode and see whether that helped.

Fix 6. Use the Deployment Command

If the Error Code 1619 Windows Installer issue happens on a network, chances are that the deployment command is incompatible. All you have to do here is ensure that the deployment commands are correct and compatible.

When using a deployment command, it is important that the .msi file command line is referenced correctly.

After making sure that everything is in place on the network, attempt the installation again and this time should be successful.

Fix 7. Clean the Registry

The 1619 error when using Windows Installer has also been linked to registry issues. When there are too many problems with the registry, the machine will run slowly and more errors will also occur.

The Windows registry is akin to a database that hosts the settings, configurations, options, and operation details of the apps, programs, and components on the PC. It is constantly updated as apps are installed and removed and programs move in and out of memory.

The more activity there is on the computer, the more the registry is in use, the likelier that something there will go wrong. As a result, there will be damages, corruption, and ultimately, system errors.

You can use the Auslogics BoostSpeed 12 cleanup program to address the slowness and inefficient performance of your PC due to errors like this. It will clean up your computer by removing junk files and all manner of speed reducers and hidden data that clutter the storage.

In addition, BoostSpeed contains a tool called Registry Cleaner that you can deploy to clean up your registry, eliminating corrupt and unused keys in the process. By doing all this, you can easily boost your computer’s performance and also stop installation errors linked to registry problems.

Fix 8. Contact the Program Developer

If the program belongs to an indie developer, you can try contacting them for guidance on the issue. Since they know all about the program, they should be able to offer personalized advice that will solve the issue for you.

Oftentimes, small developers can release a package that has a bug or two. Sometimes, it’s a simple programming error that prevents the app from being installed on Windows. Either way, the developer should be able to solve it. Usually, the faulty package is withdrawn from circulation and an error-free version is released.

Summary

Installing programs is one of the basic things people do on their Windows computers. Programs need to be installed before they can be used, after all.

Hence, it’s quite frustrating when you’re unable to even install a program, never mind use it. The Error Code 1619 often appears when Windows Installer fails to successfully install the software package.

This article examined some of the reasons why this happens when it does. They include missing Redistributable or framework files, registry issues, an outdated operating system, corrupt or missing installation files, and programming errors.

Each of the solutions offered in this guide worked for several users. They are the most common ways to resolve the Windows Installer Error 1619 on Windows 10 and earlier. If you’ve tried everything here, your issue should be resolved.

Let us know which solution worked for you.

Share it in the comments below!