How to Fix Microsoft Setup Bootstrapper Has Stopped Working

The problem "Microsoft Setup Bootstrapper Has Stopped Working" arises when Microsoft Office installation, update, or removal unexpectedly crashes. That is basically when the Setup Bootstrapper, which is designed to start programs on the basis of Microsoft technology, has an issue whereby it cannot perform its task.

I am having trouble with the Microsoft Setup Bootstrapper.

Software conflicts are the usual causes of this problem due to third-party antivirus applications or due to previous versions of Office that leave some files behind. Some other causes could be damaged system files, wrong registry entries, and incompatibilities with system settings.

Approaches to Fix this Error

Multiple methods for the solution of this error are discussed in this article.

1. If any third-party antivirus software has been installed, uninstall it.

Though it's main purpose is system protection, antivirus software has a habit of interfering with some procedures, such as Office installations. To make the installation go more smoothly, uninstall any third-party antivirus products. This will prevent them from preventing or interfering with the Setup Bootstrapper.

Turning off Avast's real-time security function

For instructions on removing antivirus software, see this article.

2.Install Microsoft Fix-It.

Run Microsoft's Fix-It Tool if the install issues persist. If the Setup Bootstrapper becomes unusable at any time because of issues such as incompatibilities between registry entries or residual Office files, this tool will automatically find and fix those issues for you.

In order to download the.diagcab file, head to this page and click on the Download button.

Just open the .diagcab file by double-clicking it after download.

When it opens to the first question, go to the Advanced menu and mark the item Apply fixes automatically, then click Next.

After the first detecting phase has been completed, continue with the next question and click on Installing.

Now select the misbehaving application-most likely, Microsoft Office.

Click Yes on the following prompt to attempt an uninstall.

After the process finishes, restart your computer and check whether the error message still appears.

Use the Fix-It program to fix the problem

3. Remove IObit from Your Computer

Third-party utilities, like IObit software, can slow down an Office installation by modifying critical system files or configurations. Removing the IObit software will avoid the conflict and will let the Microsoft Setup Bootstrapper to work smoothly during installation or upgrade.

To open the Run dialog box, hold down the Windows key plus Rm. To open Programs and Features, type in "appwiz.cpl" and press Enter.

Click Publisher at the top of the Programs and Features window. This will sort programs by publisher, making it easier to find all IObit products.

Right-click an IObit product and click Uninstall from the context menu that appears. From then on, follow the prompts to remove the software.

Once you've removed the software that has caused the "Microsoft setup bootstrapper has stopped working" error, try booting your PC once again to see whether it works.

If the error persists, continue going to the Programs and Features page and removing the IObit products until you find the problematic one.

IOBit software deletion

4.Enable Task Scheduler using the Registry Editor.

Important system processes, such as Microsoft Office setup, are run by Task Scheduler, thus restoring it is crucial. If Task Scheduler's disabled state is interfering with the setup, you may remedy this by re-enabling it in the registry. This will allow the setup to proceed without any problems.

To launch the Run dialog, press the Windows key plus R. To open the Registry Editor, type "regedit" and hit Enter. To grant administrator access, click Yes when asked to do so by UAC (User Account Control).

Locate the SYSTEM key by expanding the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key in the Registry Editor.

Finding the Schedule key folder is as simple as navigating to CurrentControlSet > Services > Schedule.

Press Start value in the right-hand window twice, holding down the Schedule key.

Value data of Start should be set as 2 and Base as Hexadecimal.

Exit the Registry Editor, click OK to save changes, and restart your computer.

Restarting, start the program or installation that was giving the error to see if it still occurs.

Enable Task Scheduler

5. Remove Office Setup and the AppCompatFlags Key.

Setup problems are sometimes resolved by removing remnants of old setups. In particular, if reinstalling Office, uninstalling the application followed by the deletion of the AppCompatFlags registry key removes all compatibility settings that might be causing Bootstrapper to fail.

Press the Windows key plus R to open the Run dialog. Type in "appwiz.cpl" then press Enter.To open the list of installed programs, type appwiz.cpl and hit enter.

In the window which reads Programs and Features, find Microsoft Office. Then, right-click onto it and select Uninstall.Taking Microsoft Office Off the Road

To finish uninstalling, follow the on-screen commands and then shut down your computer.

Pressing Windows key + R, again after a restart will open another Run dialog. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Click Yes when prompted by UAC (User Account Control) to run with administrator privileges.The Registry Editor Open

In the opened Registry Editor, search for the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionAppCompatFlags.

You can type or copy and paste the address in the navigation bar and press Enter.

Right-click the AppCompatFlags key to export it. Move the file to a location where you can easily locate it later.AppCompatFlags key export

This is an extra precaution in case there is an issue with the registry modifications, but is a good backup precaution in any case.

Right-click on the AppCompatFlags again and select Delete.Remove the AppCompatFlags variable

Now, restart your computer by deleting the key and closing the Registry Editor. Upon restarting the computer, ensure that Office opens without the "Microsoft setup bootstrapper has stopped working" message.

6. Boot into Windows Compatibility Mode and run Setup.exe.

You can also launch Setup in the Compatibility mode to emulate an appropriate environment for it to work with older systems. The problems that might be caused by some components of the current OS being outdated or not supported are solved this way.

Locate the Office installation folder via File Explorer.

Right-click Setup.exe and select Properties.

Put a tick in the box in the Compatibility tab for running the program in the compatibility mode.

Once you have chosen the version of Windows which the program suggests, click OK.

Run the installer again to complete the setup.

We hope that this guide has helped you step by step to repair the error of the first Microsoft installation program that stopped working. If nothing else, we wish you good luck.