Error 1601 (or 16xx) While Installing NI Software on Windows`

Updated Mar 22, 2018

Issue Details

Why Do I Get Error 16xx While Installing NI Software on Windows? For example:
Error 1601 occurred while installing NI-488.2. Do you want to continue?

Solution

If you are in Windows in safe mode. See KnowledgeBase 5Z9D1IUS: How Can I Uninstall National Instruments Software on Microsoft Windows When in Safe Mode?

If you are not in safe mode, try Microsoft Support: How to troubleshoot Windows Installer errors. Try these steps first. Then try steps specific to your operating system.

Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Windows Server 2008 R2/2012
Microsoft Support: "The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed" error when you try to install a program in Windows 7 or Windows Vista.
These operating systems have Windows Installer 5.0, which is not available as a redistributable download from Microsoft.

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003/2008
Windows Installer 4.5 is available as a redistributable from Microsoft Support: Windows Installer 4.5 is available.
 

Additional Information

Error 1601 is a Microsoft Windows Installer error. 
If you are not in safe mode, this error occurs because your Windows Installer (msiexec.exe) has been corrupted. The official Microsoft error code is:
ERROR_INSTALL_SERVICE_FAILURE - Install server could not be accessed. 

Several other 16xx errors also point to a corrupted Microsoft Windows Installer. See Microsoft Initialization Errors for list of these error codes and their meanings.

Microsoft lists troubleshooting steps for Error 1601 in the article.

Note: Be sure to check the exact operating system in the list of compatible operating systems to ensure you are downloading the correct version of Windows Installer. Previous versions of Windows Installer are also available on the Microsoft website.

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