19th September 2002
Question: I have a Windows 2000 computer and when I try to install Office 2000 I get an error that says, "Windows Files Must Be Installed for Your Installation to Proceed." Why does this error occur, and is there a way around it?
Answer: This error occurs for one of two reasons. One reason is because the number of files cached by Windows File Protection is too low. Another reason could be because your registry doesn't point to the proper location for the I386 folder. The Office 2000 products update system files, and Windows File Protection needs access to the I386 folder to verify the integrity of certain files. To fix this error, you will need to edit your registry, so please back up your registry before continuing. To open your registry just click Start, then Run, type Regedit and click OK. You will need to navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Setup. Once there, you will need to double-click SourcePath and specify the location of the I386 directory in the Edit String dialog box. If your I386 directory is on your Windows 2000 CD then you will need to type in D:\I386 (substitute D with your CD-ROM drive letter). If that doesn't work, then you can increase the number of files cached by Windows File Protection by opening your registry as described above but navigate to this registry key; HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows NT / CurrentVersion / Winlogon. Now double-click SfcQuota, under Value data type ffffffff (8 f's) and then click OK and exit the Registry Editor. One last set of steps; click Start, then Run, type command or cmd and click OK. At the command prompt type "sfc /cachesize=ffffffff /scanone" (sans quotes) and then press Enter. When that is done just type Exit, press Enter and then restart your computer. You should have no trouble installing Office 2000 now.