Solution to Error 1603

When you attempt to install a Windows Installer package on your computer, you may encounter the following error message:

“Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation.”

Cause of the Error

The above Windows installer error occurs, if any of the conditions mentioned below hold true:

  • The folder to which you are trying to install the Microsoft Windows Installer package is encrypted.
  • The drive that stores the folder to which you are trying to install the Installer package is accessed as a substitute drive.
  • The SYSTEM account does not have Full Permission rights on the folder to which you are installing the Microsoft Windows Installer package.

Resolution Methods

Depending on the cause of the error, you may use either of the following methods to fix it.

Method 1 – Install the Windows Installer package to a folder that is not encrypted

Use this method to rectify the error 1603, if the error is occurring because the folder to which you are installing the Installer package is encrypted.

Method 2 – Install the Microsoft Windows Installer package to a drive that is not accessed as a substitute drive

Use this method to fix the above Microsoft error 1603, if the drive that stores the folder to which you are installing the Microsoft Windows Installer package is accessed as a substitute drive.

Method 3 – Change permission of the SYSTEM account to Full Control

Note: This method is applicable only to Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.

To give Full Control rights to the SYSTEM account, perform the steps illustrated below:

  1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your Desktop to open its corresponding window.
  2. Next, right-click the drive that contains the folder to which you are trying to install the Windows Installer package and click Properties.
  3. Click the Security tab in the Disk Properties dialog box and do the following:
    • Windows 2000 – Check if the Name box contains the SYSTEM user account.
    • Windows XP – Check if Group of user names account box contains the SYSTEM user account
  4. If the SYSTEM user account is not present in the Name box (Windows 2000) or in the Group or user names account box (Windows XP), perform the following steps to add it:
    • Click the Add button.
    • Next, in the Name field, select SYSTEM, click Add, and then click OK.
  5. Next, in the Permission section, select the checkbox before Full control, click the Advanced button and do the following:
    • Windows 2000 – In the dialog box that appears, select Reset permissions on all child objects and enable propagation of inheritable permissions check box for the SYSTEM account and click the OK button.
    • Windows XP – In the dialog box that appears, select the Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects check box for the SYSTEM account, and click the OK button.
  6. Click Yes, if you receive a security message.
  7. Now, run the Installer package.

You may also encounter recurring errors and issues if your Windows computer is infected with malware or if the registry is corrupt.

To prevent malware-related issues from occurring, install robust protective software, such as STOPzilla Antivirus and Spyware Cease and run regular malware scans on your computer. Further, regularly clean your registry using advanced registry cleaning software, such as RegServe, to avoid registry-related issues.