Sunday, September 27, 2015

Solved: How to fix AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi missing in iTunes 12.3 installation


Apple is ridiculously focus on every little detail of their products, from the hardware to software, it had to be just right. However, they are clumsy at times. There numbers of iTunes users are having trouble upgrading to iTunes 12.3 on Microsoft Windows 64-bit. During the iTunes installation process, an error message pops up:
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.
First, you may diagnose which Apple program is the root that cause the error by uninstalling all Apple programs in Control Panel. In my case, I was unable to uninstall Apple Software Update because a file called AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi is missing.

To fix it, click Repair button. If it still doesn't work, you have to workaround in the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit) as below:
  1. Press Windows key + r and run Regedit.
  2. Click Edit and Find...
  3. Type applesoftwareupdate.msi and start the search.
  4. In the left pane of Regedit, right click the Shell Folder of Apple Software Update and click Delete.
  5. Install iTunes 12.3. The iTunes installer will re-install all the required software successfully.
Note: Be careful working in the Regedit, it is important to know what are you doing.

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74 comments:

  1. Finally!!! This worked after searching many help forums. Thanks so much!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. No problem man, happy new year!

      Delete

    2. after deleting "source foldler" i was able to update itunes and solve several problems. Thank you for this fix

      Delete

    3. Dont just delete the SourceList folder ,it may not help. You have to delete the upper folder of SourceList (just above the sourcelist folder) Eg:46E5DCBD973784644944A85685CD6B41

      Delete

    4. I agree with AJ, you have to delete the upper folder of SourceList as well. Thanks everyone.

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    5. i did that and it work now have itunes back thx u all

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    6. Does not show on Registry Editor

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    7. AJ is right. delete the upper folder of SourceList as well. It will work fine after restart and then install
      of iTunes (current)

      Delete

  2. Hi,

    I have the same problem with iTunes and I tried your procedure. Before finish it i was a bit concerned about the "Shell Folder of Apple Software Update". Using Regedit i found that applesoftwareupdate.msi is located in a folder named "SourceList". Is this folder that i should delete?
    Thank you in advance for your help!

    Best Regards,
    Filippo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hi, before you delete the folder, export(save) the parent folder of the "SourceList" as a backup file so that it can be restored if it doesn't help.

      You should delete the parent folder of "SourceList" which contains AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi

      Next step is download and install the latest version of iTunes from Apple's website.

      Delete

    2. Hi, it worked nicely! Thank you very much!

      Delete

    3. I had the exact same problem and followed your steps above and it worked, Whew! A big thank you!

      Delete

    4. I have the same problem. Follow the way you share, I try to find the file AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi, but you know, I can't find that file.
      Can you help me to solve this problem?

      Delete

  3. Worked a charm! Thanks very much

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  4. It works. Thank you.

    S

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thank you very much. Some weeks desperate until see your fix. Thanks again

      Delete

  5. Words cannot express how thankful I am to you sir. I tried with tons of recommended solutions but none worked until I came across yours. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

  6. Thank you so much! this works like wonder!

    ReplyDelete

  7. Hello, I have been facing the same problem with WIN 8.1 and I just need click on Repair Button then have the program installed again... It works perfectly ! Thanks for this very useful link. Just not I am French and nothing helpful from my country... Just need foreign purpose for being safe ...

    ReplyDelete

  8. WORKS! waaaaw....thanks
    first i follow another thread, about repairing the apple software update, but appleblabla.msi is missing it said

    After that i found this thread, i follow every steps and voila it's work. I can install iTunes 12.3

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  9. When I get to the part about the shell folder, my computer seems to have a few folders that are "shell", so I don't know which one should be deleted.

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  10. After following your directions, my computer can't find the applesoftwareupdate.msi file. Now what?

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  11. You are heaven sent :) Worked like magic. Thanks a bunch!!!

    ReplyDelete

  12. awesome, this did the trick

    ReplyDelete
  13. sebastiano scarpaMarch 4, 2016 at 7:49 PM

    Really Stunned!!! Was a great trouble while couldn't syncro Iphone with Outlook. Really great problem of job (no more calendar appointments, contacts...) I'm in touch with Apple service, until their 1 level expert since 6 month and no one could help. I bought a second PC working side by side with the old one until today when I found your post. Really words cannot express how thankful I am to you!!! Shame to Apple customer service. Ciao Thank you! Sebastiano Scarpa, Venice, Italy

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  14. Do you have to reinstall itunes though? Is there another way to fix it?

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  15. This worked great - be sure to 'export' your registry first, in case something goes wrong with the delete, you can 'import' the original registry and start over. to export: File -> Export : then save it somewhere on your desktop (or anywhere else). When deleting the applesoftwareupdate.msi, the directory it is in is called 'Source', you need to delete the parent of that directory for this to work. It worked great for me.

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  16. um... guys, i made a mistake on this matter... i forgot to export the source file and delete it immediately... and now.. ASU is stuck in my control panel. I cant even uninstall, change or repair it... what should i do? im currently running on my Windows 10. im on my dead end right now...

    ReplyDelete

  17. Please help! I have no idea what I'm doing but I have got as far as opening the Regedit thing but I can't find a file called 'Source' or 'applesoftwareupdate.msi'. I have a few shell folders with other names attached to them but nothing that says Shell Folder of Apple Software Update. Am I doing the right thing? Thanks

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  18. It didn't work.. I tried everything, I think... I'm so desperate. :(

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  19. Thank you very much. It was nervous, but the delete in Regedit made it! /Anna

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  21. Can't find the shell folder. Is there another name for it?

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  22. Didn't work for me. I still get the error "The file 'C:\Users...\AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi' is not a valid installation package for the product Apple Software Update. Try to find the installation package 'AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi' in a folder from which you can install Apple Software Update."
    ARG!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. u need to delete the upper document, not just the source list, the one with some random numbers and letters.

      Delete

    2. thank you so much, your detailed explanation is what made the whole difference for me and help me solve that problem!!!!

      Delete

  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  25. thanks man! it works! God Bless!

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  26. please help ive deleted the source list instead of the parent folder, now i dont know how to search for the parent folder.. T.T

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  27. thanks so much this worked a treat :)

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  28. "In the left pane of Regedit, right click the Shell Folder of Apple Software Update" Where?

    ReplyDelete

  29. WOAH THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH I WAS WORRIED IF THERE IS NO SOLUTION FOR WINDOWS 10 , I WAS ABOUT TO GIVE UP BUT U MADE IT THANKS A TON I THINK YOU SHOULD PUBLISH THIS AT A HIGHER RANGE

    ReplyDelete

  30. Seriously, you are a life saver!! Thank you so much for this!

    ReplyDelete

  31. its work! i been searching solution for whole day! thanks!

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  32. Thanx Admin...this was the best solution...i had this bug for a year or two and i finally am able to delete it...and for those who are having problems understanding the 'Shell folder' concept...it's nothing but the main folder (Suppose A29FT8956SB bla bla) of which the 'Source_list' is a part of..just delete that main folder

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  33. My girlfriend was getting really frustrated trying to update iTunes, but this solved the problem. So, thanks. ;)

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  34. I tried deleting the Shell Folder but received an error message "Cannot delete 56.....: Error while deleting key"

    Any suggestions on how to proceed at this point?

    ReplyDelete

  35. I believe I solved my problem. Switched to the Administrator account on my PC and was able to delete the AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi file and its Shell Folder.

    ReplyDelete

  36. I'm still having issues finding what I need to delete?
    I'm considering on bringing my laptop into the Apple store!! this is a pain, Apple needs to make a Patch for this issue!
    I have searched "Shell" "Source" & "applesoftwareupdate.msi" I cant find any folder you are all talking about on the Left side?

    ReplyDelete

  37. Thank you from Colombia!!Worked just fine for me!

    ReplyDelete

  38. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

    ReplyDelete

  39. worked for me too! thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thanks sooooo much I tried searching Itunes help but since I didnt have a serial & my warranty was useless after some searching U saved me more trouble

      Delete

  40. After three hours of searching this knocked it out!! Thanks for all your help.

    ReplyDelete

  41. I tried this but still can't get it to uninstall. When I try to uninstall I get the error "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed." When I try to reinstall iTunes it gives the error, "A later version of Apple Software is already installed on this computer." 1.5 hours on the phone with Apple support but we only uninstalled and reinstalled a few times, which hasn't changed the situation. Does anyone have any other ideas?

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  42. Many many thanks!!! I was fed up with being unable to update iTunes, since too many months!!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. zaaazouuu from Perpignan (France)November 5, 2016 at 9:10 PM

    Thank you very very much !!!
    I've be looking for a while (since june), and today, it was the Day...
    yours explanations are very clear, It's just fantastic !!!
    Have a nice day

    ReplyDelete

  44. thank you
    it worked for me too.....
    \

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  45. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! I tried a lot of options, but just this solution works.

    ReplyDelete

  46. FINALLY!...it worked!

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  47. Thank You Mok, you are a legend. Ive spent hours try to fix this issue. Followed your instructions and my ITunes is now working, Apple should employ you as there website help is crap.

    ReplyDelete

  48. I tried this fix 2 weeks ago and the problem with the msi file has resurfaced again. Anyone have any ideas why this is recurring and how I can make the fix permanent?

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  49. problem solved! thanks for the sharing

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  50. Thanks for your fast and easy help.

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  52. If you dont have the file, how can you delete it. I literally DO NOT HAVE file anywhere on my computer... this doesn't make sense. I did what was instructed...but it showed up as
    "No File Match"
    My Control Panel will not let me uninstall it unless I have that file. This is the same goes for the "Bonjour" & "iTunes" programs.

    ReplyDelete

  53. thank you
    it worked for me too

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  54. It works! So many thanks

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  57. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  58. This still works even with the recent to current version, thanks!

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  59. Amazing Post. From Sunday, September 27, 2015 until Friday 8 June 2018, your post still helping many people, including me. Apple's should consider to put this solution on their pages, and giving Mok a royalty compensation for their mess!

    ReplyDelete

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