Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
Windows Installer CleanUp Utility was a Microsoft tool that removed Windows Installer configuration data for failed or corrupted installations. When a program could not be installed, updated, or uninstalled because its MSI data was damaged, this utility cleaned the broken entries so you could start fresh.
What it did
The program listed all applications installed through Windows Installer (MSI). You selected the problematic entry and clicked Remove, which deleted the MSI configuration data from the registry. This did not uninstall the program itself - it removed the installer's tracking information so that a fresh installation could proceed without "already installed" errors.
The most common use case was fixing Microsoft Office installations that failed to update or reinstall due to corrupted MSI data. It was also used when programs could not be uninstalled through the normal Add/Remove Programs panel.
Advantages
- Fixed broken MSI installations that blocked reinstalls
- Official Microsoft tool
- Simple list-and-remove interface
- Free download
Drawbacks
- Retired by Microsoft in June 2010
- Could break Office 2007 components if misused
- Only cleaned MSI data, did not remove actual program files
- Microsoft Program Install/Uninstall troubleshooter replaced it
Who it was for
This was for users stuck with broken installations that could not be repaired or removed normally. Microsoft retired it in 2010 because it could cause more problems than it solved. The replacement is the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter, available from Microsoft's support website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Windows Installer CleanUp Utility?
Why did Microsoft retire this tool?
How do I fix broken installations on Windows now?
Features & How-To Guide
| # | Feature | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All Windows Installer applications | Launch msicuu.exe. Displays a list of all programs installed via MSI on the computer. |
| 2 | Blocked uninstallation repair | Resolves situations where Add/Remove Programs shows the program but uninstallation ends with an error. |
| 3 | Installer configuration data removal | Select a program in the list › Click Remove. Deletes registry entries and file references tracked by Windows Installer. |
| 4 | Add/Remove Programs entry removal | After cleanup the selected program disappears from the Add/Remove Programs list, allowing a clean reinstallation. |
| 5 | Startup configuration loop repair | Resolves situations where a program continually shows Configure or restarts the installer every time it launches. |
| 6 | Selective cleaning of multiple programs | Select multiple entries in the list before clicking Remove. Batch cleaning of installer data for multiple programs. |
| 7 | 3D graphics with XNA API | A user-friendly GUI wrapper around the command-line tool msizap.exe (available in the same installation directory). |
| 8 | MSI-only programs filter | Displays and handles only programs installed as .msi packages (Microsoft Installer). |
| 9 | Requires administrator rights | Start › Programs › Windows Install Clean Up. The program requires administrator account privileges to run. |
| 10 | Msizap.exe command-line alternative | Advanced users: msizap.exe T {ProductCode} for scripted cleanup without the GUI. |
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