BleepingComputer.com: Microsoft Silverlight will not update or uninstall

Hi,
I searched and searched the forums, but can not find this problem.
I keep getting an update from my automatic updates concerning Microsoft Silverlight. I tried to uninstall it and it says that it can not find a file. It asks me to locate it. The file it needs is 'Silverlight.msi' I downloaded the latest version of Silverlight, version 4.0, and it will not install. I can not find just the 'Silverlight.msi' file anywhere. It gives the same error over and over.
I surfed around and downloaded a MS fix it program that did not help either, Microsoftfixit50416. I followed some instructions on another message board which told me to go into regedit and delete the KEY. I assume it was the folder HKLM/Software/ Microsoft/ Silverlight. I did. Next, it said to go to Program files on my computer and delete the Microsoft Silverlight folder, I did. I rebooted. Same errors? The update is KB2416427 for Silverlight that keeps failing and trying to update will not quit and the software will not uninstall, repair, or be re-installed.

The Silverlight update has something to do with Microsoft.NET, so I downloaded a fix utility, dotnetfx35setup from another message board and then re-installed Microsoft.NET 3.5, I was getting 4 error messages at first, now only three. The other error messages were security updates for Microsoft.NET versions 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5. I fixed the Microsoft.NET problem. It updated after I did what I just mentioned. The fix utility removed all the other versions of Microsoft.NET and I simply re-installed version 3.5. Now I do not get those failed to update messages in Microsoft automatic updates.
The Silverlight error remains and I do not know anymore to do?

Please help,

Seandil

Did you delete all the backup files under the c:\Windows directory that start out with $ and are blue?

Hello,
NO, I did delete some folders that were empty on the C:/ directory outside of the windows folder that began with an $ and were not blue on my machine. In the windows folder I deleted the Microsoft Silverlight folder? This thing is still doing the same thing. I first I believe have to get this file it keeps asking for that I can not find. Its 'Silverlight.msi' and then I should be able to take it from there. Allot of people when I did a Google search are having this problem with Silver light trying to update and not being able to remove or re install the program. I wish i ha never heard of it. This must be a Microsoft glitch?

The only way to fix this issue is to perform a reformat. You should never delete anything that starts with a $ or that is a different color then anything else on the drive. I made that mistake and had to reinstall to get things back up to par.

Reformatting is far from the only way to fix this problem...

You could just delete the registry key "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\D7314F9862C648A4DB8BE2A5B47BE100" and MSI won't know silverlight is installed and will allow a new install with the current version of silverlight.

The attatched batch file should do the trick without as much risk as running regedit. Run this batch file and then try to reinstall Silverlight.

Warning: Backing up your registry before modifying it is always a good idea. You can back up your registry with a program like Erunt.

This post has been edited by Gabrial: 12 October 2010 - 09:30 PM

I even did the above as you have suggested, and it still failed to install Silverlight. I had to completely reformat my computer to get Windows Update and Manual installs to work for Silverlight.

If the problem involves a corrupt file system or hard drive...the solution will be a format/install.

If it involves only improper functioning of the O/S...uninstalling the app and reinstalling...or a registry edit...may overcome it.

Just because users perceive it as the same problem...doesn't mean it arises for the same reasons.

Louis

Thanks gentlemen for the response. I am not a computer person, but love to learn. I did not see the attached batch file Gabriel spoke of? would you please send it.

Thanks

Sorry, I thought I had uploaded. I put it back again.

Thanks Gabriel,
You are a genius! I ran the batch file you gave me and it worked! I went to remove programs and Silverlight was gone. I next tried to install what I had already downloaded on my computer and I got some error and the Silverlight install had named itself a 'patchfile'. I deleted this file and went to the Silverlight website and it gave me a complete version to download. I guess it knew what I had or did not have already on my computer? I downloaded it and the update installed along with 14 others? I did not know I was some far behind after only two days of shutting my computer down without updates since the only 'failed to install' update was that Silverlight one?

You fixed it!

Thank you sir and all the other people who tried to help.

Glad to be of help. :D