More Fun With Installation Error 1603

[JFD]

So I went out and bought a new laptop the other day, running Windows 7 64-bit. After updating all my drivers and applying all Windows updates that had passed by whilst my laptop was sitting on the shelf. Then I go to install Skype (a fresh install, mind you--I'm not trying to update, just simply install the latest Skype as of September 25th), and I get the following error:

Error 1603: "Could not access network location %PUBLIC%\Desktop"

Since the Skype community in it's infinite wisdom is not allowing me to link to the threads I've already looked at, I'll list out what I've tried: I tried creating a new admin account, I tried the various Microsoft FixIts (including the Install/Uninstall one), I tried seeing if Skype was hidden somewhere in the registry (it wasn't), I've tried simply restarting. Nothing has worked out of the various threads I have tried. If anyone has any ideas, they would be incredibly useful--I'm at wits end trying to figure this out.

[ruwim]

Have you tried this one?

support.microsoft.com/kb/886549

[JFD]

I have, multiple times in fact, sadly to no avial.

In related news, I'm also unable to install Microsoft Office due to the same error, so I'm beginning to think this is a bigger issue with my computer.

[ruwim · Accepted solution]

In any case, you need to be logged in to Windows with Administrator rights. Start regedit. Find the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

The value for the subkey Common Desktop should be “C:\Users\Public\Desktop”

[JFD]

And that did it! Muchas gracias.

[cjjkmommy]

Ah yay! I had the same exact problem and had tried everything as well... and this fixed it. thanks

[tessaellyn]

how do u find that?!

[susana13]

OMG!!! Thank you!. Not in a million years, would I have found the solution. Really great! Thanks, thanks thanks !

[ruwim]

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susana13 wrote:

OMG!!! Thank you!. Not in a million years, would I have found the solution. Really great! Thanks, thanks thanks !

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Not to exaggerate, but million years is nothing compared to the age of The Universe.

[Dream_On18]

Hi, I've tried all the above and more. I've forced skype to uninstall completely as well. When I try to install skype I get very to doing so and then I get error codes 2503, 2502 and 1603. I'm wondering if anyone can help me? I've been trying to fix it off and on for months.. its getting very annoying.

Many thanks.