Question - How do we resolve “Cannot install SQL Server 2014 Service Pack 2: Unable to install Windows installer msi file” error ?
Answer
Step1
Uninstall Microsoft SQL Server Setup support files (English)’ through Add/ Remove programs.
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Figure1 - Uninstalling Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English) through control panel
Step 2
Download SQL Server 2014 SP2 from Microsoft Website. In my case, I have downloaded SP2 on the path “D:\Softwares\SQL Server Patch\SQLServer2014SP2-KB3171021-x86-ENU.exe”
Step 3
Open the command prompt by typing cmd in run box, which we can open, using Window Key + R.
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Figure2 - Opening cmd
Step 4
Navigate to the folder in the command prompt, where we have saved SP2 setup.
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Figure3 - Navigating folder
Step 5
Run the command given below at the prompt.
SQLServer2014SP2-KB3171021-x86-ENU.exe /x
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Figure4 - Extracting SQL Server 2014 SP2 setup
This command will extract the files from SP2 setup and ask for the location, where you want to save all the extracted files.
Step 6
Search for sqlsupport.msi file in an extracted folder. I found it on the path given below for my case. (Remember in every version, path of sqlsupport.msi can be different, so simply search it out in the extracted folder and you will surely get it.)
D:\Softwares\SQL Server Patch\Extract SQL2014 SP2\1033_enu_lp\x86\setup\sqlsupport_msi
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Figure5 - Navigating sqlsupport.msi file
Step 7
Install sqlsupport.msi from the folder D:\Softwares\SQL Server Patch\Extract SQL2014 SP2\1033_enu_lp\x86\setup\sqlsupport_msi
If it asks for the restart of the system, press Yes to restart.
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Figure6 - Running sqlsupport.msi file
Step 8
Now, go to SP2 setup location and run the setup.
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Figure7 - Navigating SQL Server 2014 SP2 setup and installing it.
Step 9
The setup will start. Wait for the setup to complete.
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Figure8 - SQL Server 2014 SP2 setup completed.
Step 10
You can check the Service pack and version with the command given below.
- select serverproperty ('productlevel') as SP, serverproperty ('productversion') as VERSION
Note
On installing SQL Server Service pack, you get an error: Unable to install Windows installer msi file. The resolution will be similar to this only. Thus, follow these simple steps to resolve the error. I hope this article helps you to understand how to resolve the unable to install Windows installer msi file error, while installing SQL Server Service pack.