Fix IE9 Failed Installations on Windows 7

Microsoft has confirmed an issue with Internet Explorer 9 installations failing on Windows 7. According to the software giant, customers can experience the problem only on the RTM version of Windows 7. Those users that have already upgraded to Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) will not come across this particular glitch.

The software giant indicates that the source of the failed IE9 deployments might be related to inconsistencies in file data or registry in Windows 7. However, Microsoft did not detail the specific cause of the issue.

Here’s what the company revealed so far: “When you try to install Windows Internet Explorer 9 on a computer, the installation process fails when Internet Explorer 9 tries to install the prerequisite software. Additionally, a "0x00009C4F" error is logged in the installation log.”

The reason why I’m saying that glitches in Windows 7 file data or registry might cause IE9 deployments to fail is related to the advice that Microsoft offers to users looking to resolve this problem.

Essentially, affected customers are told to download and run the System Update Readiness tool. This tool is designed with the specific purpose of dealing with file data or registry inconsistencies. Such issues might prevent not only the installation of Windows updates, but also of various software, in this particular case of Internet Explorer 9.

Of course, there’s another way of making sure that IE9 installs will no longer fail on Windows 7, but it’s a tad more complicated than running the System Update Readiness tool.

What users need to do is download the first service pack for Windows 7 and deploy it, ahead of attempting to install IE9 again. Apparently, the issue that prevents IE9 from installing on Windows 7 RTM disappears after the integration of Service Pack 1.

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM are available for download here.