Question : Error 1306 When trying to remove msi installation

I am currently running tests on an msi package I'm getting ready to deploy to our network. The installation goes fine, but when I try to uninstall it, I get the following error message:

"Error 1306. Another application has exclusive access to the file 'C:\Windows\system32\wbem\Repository\FS\INDEX.MAP'. Please shut down all other applications, then click Retry."

I've rebooted the computer, tried deleting and renaming the index.map file to index.old in safe mode, tried removing the file completely, but still, it comes back and is keeping my MSI from following through with the installation. Any ideas anyone? Thanks!

Answer : Error 1306 When trying to remove msi installation

This is a common failure with MS's  "new generic" installation routines.  They write stuff to the windows TEMP folder -- Doc&Set/local service/local settings/Temp   -- and if you try to delete that temporary directory, where NO application should keep critical data, you will find that one of the files will NOT delete.  This is because MS, in their infinite desire to violate their OWN rules, writes PERMANENT files to the windows temporary directories!!!

Worse, you will find a reference to that file embedded in the registry !!!   A total No-NO, but MS does it....!!!

So, what I do is go into the registry, find the reference to that file and DELETE the stupid thing.  Then reboot, and you can now delete the file from the temp directory, and now FINALLY !!  you can reinstall the APP.  Talk about idiotic installation hassles, all from a prior abort of the installation, or something going wrong.  Bad software!!

If you don't want to edit the registry, reboot in safe mode and delete everything in that TEMP folder, then reboot.