Open MSI files

  • Full name
    Microsoft Windows Installer Installation Package
  • Developer
    Microsoft
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a MSI file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a MSI file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your MSI file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is MSI file?

MSI files are Windows Installer Packages, which are Windows installation package or archive files used to install application on a Windows operating system. Windows Update also uses the MSI format.

More info

In addition to the files to be installed, MSI files also contain information about where to install certain files (eg system files). The EULA or license agreement and / or their consent request are also included.

The MSI files, which of course can only be used under Windows, can usually be started by simply double-clicking. In some cases, however, a Setup.Exe file must be started, which in turn opens the MSI file. To run an MSI file you need the Windows Installer (formerly Microsoft Installer), which is part of the standard installation.

Especially on older Windows versions (Windows XP) it can happen that certain MSI files can not be started. This is usually because the Windows Installer is too old and you have to update to the latest version. Normally, this should work via Windows Update, but it happens that you have to install it manually.

There are also MSI files intended for the 64 bit variants of Windows. In an attempt to install you will usually get an error message.

If you are interested in the content of an MSI file, you can usually open it with 7-zip. To create an MSI file, which is particularly interesting for programmers who want to make their programs easier to distribute, there are numerous commercial as well as free programs.

Programs which can open a MSI file

How to open file with MSI extension?

In order to open a file with MSI extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening MSI file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with MSI files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Windows Installer or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening MSI files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support MSI files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of MSI files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Windows Installer as the default program for opening MSI files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate MSI files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Windows Installer applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Windows Installer has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with MSI files

Sometimes problems with opening MSI files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • MSI files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open MSI files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • MSI file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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