VSTO: General Install Error Windows 10

Question

We have a VSTO Application that is installed on many machines. If the Add-In is already installed, there is no issue. If you try to uninstall or install, you get the following error message:

The following Microsoft Office solution cannot be installed due to a general installer error: App_Name.vsto

0x80070002

This application has been working without hiccups for almost a year now. Our Sys Admin and I believe we've narrowed it down to a mandatory Windows 10 update as our base Windows 10 image has it working fine and it works on Windows 7 no issue. However, the update is already pushed out and nothing is showing up in the logs.

I know the VSTOInstaller.exe.Config file has been the cause for several of these installer issues, however I cannot find that file on any of our machines even though I KNOW I modified one machine and changed the name to VSTOInstaller.exe.Config.Old for the Business.fba error some have gotten. I assume an update somehow packaged the config file into the .exe.

The Windows 7 machines also don't have the Config file as well...

What we've tried:

1. Searching for an older .Config file to place in the folder
2. Rolling back to a previous version
3. Recompiling
4. Changing the publish destination folder and setting version back to version 1.0.0.0
5. Update: Placing a VSTOInstaller.Exe.Config then a VSTOInstaller.Config in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\VSTO\10.0 folder
6. Update: Running repair then doing an uninstall/reinstall on Visual Studio Tools for Office Runtime (x64) program from Control Panel.
7. Update: Cleared Application Event Log
8. Update: Stopped Windows Update service, Renamed C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistributionOld, then restarted the Windows Update service.

I'm at a loss. Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

If anyone has the VSTOInstaller.exe.Config file, I'd love to try and place that in the folder to see if it works.

Version:

• Word Version - 16.0.6769.2040
• VS Version - 14.0.25420.1
• OS Version - 1511 (OS Build 10586.494)

Answer 1

Windows 10 Update error 0x80070002 or 0x80070003

Step 1: Windows Service Checklist:

Open Windows services.msc, check the following services status (If it is different set it to the recommended settings) [enter image description here][1] Disable any third party antivirus applications, as it may block the Windows 10 upgrade process.

Step 2: Reset Windows updates:

Resetting windows updates, in this step we will clean up old failed updates that have been saved in the computer, let start by first disabling the windows update service.

Service Status(Start/Stop/Blank) Automatic/manual/Disabled Background Intelligent file Transfer Started Automatic Crytographic Service Started Automatic DCOM service Started Automatic RPC Started Automatic Windows Modules Installer Started Automatic Windows Update Started Automatic Windows defender Blank Disabled Windows firewall Blank Disabled

Disable Windows update service and stop the service Now open Run command and type %windir% Check for Software distribution folder delete the folder. (If it fails restart the computer, then try deleting it) In Run command window type “cleanmgr” to launch disc cleanup to clean old junk files.

Restart the windows update service set it Automatic. Once completed, the windows upgrade error code 80070002 should be resolved. Try the upgrade now. Still unlucky, get in touch with us or proceed to next step

Step 3: Dism/Readiness Tool

This step is to fix core Operating system files that are corrupted and is affecting the Windows 10 upgrade and causing the error. Most of the cases running the tool or the command will fix the corrupted files, there are cases where some stubborn files remain. We can assist you in repairing them manually, post the log to us so we can check and revert back to you.

Depending on the OS, you have to choose proper tools, For Windows 8 and higher use the following command in elevated command prompt. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

For windows 7: Download and run windows update readiness tool

microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=20858 –X64

microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=3132 – X86

Check the logs for the above tools in the following location %windir%/logs/cbs

Post the log for further steps.

Please refer to this link for more info :

http://www.msofficelivesupport.com/windows-update/windows-10-update-error-0x80070002-or-0x80070003/

Answer 2

Turns out the error was part of a Microsoft Office update. Unsure if somehow the update listed in the question updated Office 2016 in the background somewhere.

The steps to resolution were as follows:

1. Uninstall O365 from the Control Panel
2. Download the a full removal tool and run it from https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Uninstall-Office-2016-Office-2013-or-Office-365-from-a-PC-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8

3. At this point after those have ran, uninstall the add-in if it was installed.

4. Reinstall O365

5. Reinstall/Install the VSTO Add-In

Easier resolution than I thought and really appreciate all the assistance.