Setup cannot continue. The Microsoft Runtime DLL installer failed

Last updated Jan 10, 2024 0

Virtual machines are an important part of modern computing, allowing flexibility and efficiency in managing various operating systems. However, the installation of crucial components like VMware Tools can hit roadblocks, leading to errors that can be quite frustrating. One such issue is encountered when attempting to install VMware Tools on a Windows virtual machine, only to face the following error message:

“Setup cannot continue. The Microsoft Runtime DLL installer failed to complete installation.”

The root cause of this error due to registry settings of the Windows virtual machine. Specifically, changes made manually or through group policy changes might have changed the installation location for files, causing the VMware Tools installation to not work as expected.

An indicative snapshot of the registry information could resemble the following:

“`
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version
Name: CommonFilesDir
Value: F:\Program Files\Common Files
“`

It’s important to note that the Value field may display a different drive letter based on the system’s configuration.

Cause of the Issue
This installation failure typically occurs due to a mismatch between the specified installation path in the registry and the accessible drives within the virtual machine. For instance, if the registry points to a location like ‘F:\Program Files\Common Files’, but the virtual machine does not have access to the ‘F:’ drive, the VMware Tools installation fails.

Resolving the Installation Error
To solve this issue and start the successful installation of VMware Tools, an adjustment within the registry settings is necessary. Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolve the problem:

Changing the Registry Key Value
1. Backup Your Registry:
Before diving into any registry modifications, ensure you have a recent and reliable backup of both the registry and the virtual machine.

2. Access the Registry Editor:
– Click on Start > Run type in regedit, and press OK to launch the Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to the Key:
– In the Registry Editor, go to: `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\`

4. Edit the CommonFilesDir Key:
– Locate the “CommonFilesDir” key, double-click it, and modify the Value string to represent a valid drive letter accessible within the virtual machine.

For example, if the C: drive is available, adjust the CommonFilesDir Value string to: `C:\Program Files\Common files`

5. Save Changes:
– Click OK to confirm the modification.

6. Exit the Registry Editor:
– Select File > Exit within the Registry Editor to close the window.

7. Verify the Installation:
– Attempt to install VMware Tools again to confirm whether the adjustment has resolved the issue.

Remember, changes in the Windows registry require caution. Be careful while making changes and always have a backup in place to mitigate any potential risks associated with registry modifications.

By following these steps, the hurdle preventing the installation of VMware Tools on your Windows virtual machine should hopefully be overcome, allowing for a successful installation process.