How do I remove the windows installer program from XP. Every time I attempt to look at files on the C: or D: drives it locks up the machine?1 person needs an answerI do too

Your windows installer program, should NOT get in the way of exploring your drives. Are you SURE, it's that program? Anyway... I would NOT reccomned you uninstall the program, but, hey... it's YOUR PC.Just do me a favor and download and run these two programs, so I don't feel bad about potentially destroying your PC.http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.phpThis will check for malware, AND registry key errors, or so most of the forums say. >.>http://superantispyware.com/You can download the free version and it will check for spyware as well.Meh, try this too. How to resolve common windows installer problems:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555175And finally how to remove Windows Installer....Windows installer doesn't seem to be a program, it seems to be more of a function. I would suggest you wait for a more experianced poster to consult you. Although, I would still advise that you follow the above steps. Anyway, can't seem to find anything, try the above steps to see if they work and post a replyYoung and Learning... Have Mercy

What makes you think the windows installer is causing a problem when you use Explorer?

I curently ued Defender, Sptbot,AdAware to keep things clean, Ill try the Reg Check programs listed above while awaiting ant other options.As mentioned earlier, when I open any drive a dialog box pops up saying windows installer. If I just sit and wait forever nothing happens, if I pick the cansel button or the red x button in the top left everything locks up and I have to reboot.Thanks all for your help, I have work arounds, but its a pain in the neck to only be abble to access things from my laptop thru the network connection to get to files. (Only a desktop to lap top link)

Hmmm, interesting... You cannot uninstall or delete windows installer BUT you CAN turn it OFF. 1. Go to "Start" -> "Run" , type "services.msc" and press on "Enter" button. 2. Double-click on the service named "Windows Installer". 3. Check the value in the "Startup type:" field. If it's currently set to "Enabled", set it too "Disabled"Hope this helps. Young and Learning... Have Mercy

Also run the system file checker, something is awry with your win installation

I ran the other programs mentioned, but no improvement, I was curious if maybe the windows installer is corrupted and if I reload it things will be "fixed"?

Reload it? You mean like reinstall Windows? I'm sure that would work... but you'd loose all your data. Not to mention you'd spend HOURS getting all the recent updates installed.Did you try this as well?Hmmm, interesting... You cannot uninstall or delete windows installer BUT you CAN turn it OFF. 1. Go to "Start" -> "Run" , type "services.msc" and press on "Enter" button. 2. Double-click on the service named "Windows Installer". 3. Check the value in the "Startup type:" field. If it's currently set to "Enabled", set it too "Disabled" Young and Learning... Have Mercy

Thanks, Disabling the Windows Installer make the problem go away 50%....at least better then it was before, at least now I can open a few folders befor the WIndows installer opens up (though it is disabled) and locks things up. At least now I can limp through getting things done, thanks everone for all the ideas to try.Matte

Now that you can access your files you might want to backup your data, and reinstall windows if you can. THAT sould fix everything, make sure you get all the updates ETC. Then you can put your data back on.... I'll see if I can find anything else, but it was hard trying to find stuff the first time around.Anyway, no problem with the help, it's cool. It's what were here for.Young and Learning... Have Mercy