Vista - C:\Config.msi various errors from many installers.

So I have seen many people post on this topic. Lots of people claiming they
have never had the problem but many more frustrated with the issue and lack
of meaningful information.

I have tested this and confirmed it on no less than 10 Vista x64 machines.
All installations were initiated with the 'Run as Administrator' option. I
have seen the error with Visual Studio 2005, Acrobat Reader, Office 2007.

The problem is a permissions issue. There is a process running in Vista
that is resetting permissions on the C:\Config.msi directory to READ ONLY and
resetting all the permissions every time an MSI is executed.

The Problem:

The problem is that the process that is resetting these permissions is
setting the directory to READ ONLY -> During the middle of an installation
which triggers the various errors.

Why are some people not having these issues?



The answer is simple. There is a hotfix/patch/optional update in windows
update that is causing this behavior change. Most people are installing many
if not all of their applications right after they install Vista. Especially
if they are a network admin or desktop support rep.. the behavior there is to
install the OS.. install the apps and then hotfix and service pack the
machine. Well in this scenario you skirted the issue as the problem does not
arise until you have installed the fatal combination of windows update
patches.

I would really like to see Microsoft address this issue. It is a real issue
and happens on very clean systems. I reproduced this issue with Office 2007.
Install vista. SP the machine to the hilt (everything in windows update).
then try installing Office 2007. PLEASE, someone at Microsoft address this
issue. I am also going to publish this in the bugs site to open a case.

Hope this helps..
David