How to Start Windows Installer Service in Safe Mode

Recently I had the need to uninstall a program running on my windows 2008 Server in Safe Mode.

Windows running in safe mode will not be default run the windows installer service.

Here is how you do it:

1. open a command window (<windows key> + r and type cmd <enter>)

2. type:

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service" 

Note that the quotes are needed and that this is just one line. Also this is for booting into safe mode with out networking. For that you would use:

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"

3. Now you should be able to start the service from command line:

type: net start MSIServer