Windows installer dialog box appears when I startup my Windows 11 home computer

Jim Winkler 0 Reputation points
2026-09-15T20:24:45.2766667+00:00

Every startup, I get this dialog box:

Windows Installer The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable. Click OK to try again or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package 'SOLIDWORKS.msi' in the box below. Use source: C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\SOLIDWORKS 3DEXPERIENC...

I've had this problem for months. I aborted a Solidworks installation. I have a working copy of Solidworks installed on my computer, so I don't need to finish this installation.

It is for Solidworks, not Windows.

How do I fix this? Thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-15T20:25:02.0066667+00:00

    This is usually caused by a broken Windows Installer entry left behind by the aborted SOLIDWORKS install. Windows is still trying to complete or repair that installer at sign-in.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Restart the PC once
      • Go to Start > Power > Restart.
      • This can clear a pending installer state.
    2. Try uninstalling any incomplete SOLIDWORKS entry from Settings
      • Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
      • Look for any extra or partial SOLIDWORKS entry.
      • Select it, then choose Uninstall.
      • If it removes successfully, restart and test.
    3. Use a clean boot to confirm a startup item or service is triggering it
      • Open msconfig.
      • Perform a clean boot.
      • After the clean boot, sign in again and check whether the Windows Installer dialog still appears.
      • If the popup does not appear in clean boot, the problem is being triggered by a startup app or service.
    4. If the popup appears during clean boot, try the uninstall again
      • While in the clean boot state, try uninstalling the incomplete SOLIDWORKS-related app or update again.
      • If uninstall succeeds, the issue was caused by interference from another app or service.
    5. If Windows Installer cannot be accessed in clean boot, start it manually
      • Select Search, type computer management, and open Computer Management.
      • Expand Services and Applications > Services.
      • Right-click Windows Installer and select Start.
      • Then retry the uninstall.
    6. If the dialog only appears in normal startup, isolate the cause
      • Re-enable startup items and services in groups, restarting each time.
      • The documented approach is to test half at a time until the item causing the popup is identified.
    7. If uninstall still fails
      • Run Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter to remove broken installer information.
      • This is specifically recommended when a desktop program can’t be installed, uninstalled, or updated because of corrupted uninstall data or registry keys.

    Expected result:

    • If the broken SOLIDWORKS installer registration is removed, the startup popup should stop.
    • If the popup still appears even in a clean boot, the issue is less likely to be caused by another startup app or service.
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  2. Ivan B 124K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-15T21:02:48.88+00:00

    Hi,

    If you decide to reinstall, it would be best to use Revo Uninstaller to completely remove the program.

    Alternatively, try performing a clean boot; there is likely a scheduled task triggering the installation process every time you log into Windows.

    You can also check the Task Scheduler: search for "Task Scheduler" in the search bar, go to the Task Scheduler Library, and look for any entry named "SolidWorks."

    Please consider rating the question (accepting the answer or not) and visiting the Microsoft Q&A community if you have further questions.

    Thanks.

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