Solved Windows Installer runs every startup and never completes

[Padaas]

After a security patch was installed by Windows, the Windows Installer runs every startup, never completes...and is almost impossible to kill or cancel. I tried system restore but it won't accept the 1 restore point before the patch, so no help there. I don't see anything obvious in Task Manager to track down, but may be easily missing something in the long list of processes.

Suggestions most appreciated how to resolve this.

 

[MikaTheAss]

I encountered a similar issue when I first got Windows 8. A good first step would be to use Microsoft's 'FixIt' utility for Windows Update if you haven't already. What ended up working for me was a refresh of the system; not a complete restore.

 

[Padaas]

Great tip, thanks. I earlier looked for the Microsoft Windows Installer repair tool, but that tool was obsolete and I couldn't find the replacement until you referenced FixIt.