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Windows network, systems, and software Administration Tips & Tricks


4 comments Windows Error 0×80040707 - Caused by InstallShield and Windows SP2 DEP

From Windows 95 to Windows XP & Vista the “Unhandled Exception 0×80040707″ error message, pictured below, typically occurs during the installation or update of PC software. The error code is typically associated with the installation program InstallShield, which software vendors wrap around their own software packages so they can install to Windows without interferring with existing software. The error was typically associated with the paths to Shell folders in Windows (ie: the Desktop, Programs, and Startup Menu folders in a user’s or the “All Users” profiles) - there is a detailed description of changing or recreating these paths at InstallShield’s site.Windows DEP & InstallShield error 0x80040707

The 0×80040707 error code has become more common recently, as the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) controls (screenshot link) installed by Windows XP SP2 also interfere with InstallShield’s operations and can block its access to the Windows shell folders mentioned earlier. If your shell folder paths are all correct, the likely culprit of the error is Windows’ DEP and these steps should resolve the issue:

  1. Find the primary installation file for the program you were installing. If it’s not a single-file installer it’s usually “setup.exe” on a CD, but you can either check the AUTORUN.INF file to see what program it’s calling or dig through the folders on the CD (/bin/, /eng/, and /driver/ are common folders where the true installer program is nested when the setup.exe is just a fancy GUI program).
  2. Right-click the installation program and select “Run As…”. If it doesn’t show up the then file may not be an executable > start over at step #1 and look for other files.
  3. Uncheck the “Protect My Computer And Data From Unauthorized Activity” box, this deactivates DEP for this executable and its child processes, and click the “OK” button.

4 Responses to “Windows Error 0×80040707 - Caused by InstallShield and Windows SP2 DEP”

  1. pawel, on August 14th, 2006 at 12:45 am, said:

    dont work with intrvideo windrv…
    pity…

  2. Jay, on June 27th, 2007 at 6:29 pm, said:

    Doesn’t work on Vista, btw…

  3. Cecil, on October 9th, 2007 at 5:11 pm, said:

    I have the same error with VIA drivers 5+. It gives that 80040707 with a blank error, then the platform(.msi) pops up and says access is denied.
    Sp2 and installshield both are sucking. Mostly though, it is VIAs fault for using a 3 tier set of apps to setup some simple drivers because they are to lazy to write a driver install.

  4. McGoof, on October 26th, 2007 at 3:28 pm, said:

    I have the same problem with a few games and programs with the same version of Install Shield (only one version causes problems). It happens only on my Vista, Is isn’t longer problem using WinXP, but… I’ve just moved straight to Vista only and now I’m a bit concerned what to do now

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