Mar 01
Today I came across an error whilst trying to install Microsoft Office 2007 on an XP machine with service pack 3. The error occured part way through the installation process and caused the installer to roll back and give the following message.
Microsoft Office 2007 encountered an error during setup. The Windows Installer service cannot update one or more protected Windows files.
Well that’s not very useful is it! I did a bit of searching as you do when you have a problem and came across the solution. The problem, at least for me, was that the unnamed file was missing from my system. The file is fp4autl.dll and the steps I took to solve the problem were…
- From the i386 directory on the install disc find and open the file FP40EXT.CAB
- Find the fp4autl.dll file
- Copy the file to C:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\40\bin\
- Restart the Office 2007 installation
That worked a charm and now I can use Office again 
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:14 am
Dood! You rox! Saved my arse…had no clue as to what was going on. Thanks again bro!
July 11th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Thank you!! better than Microsoft support. It really works.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Works! great work!
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 am
Thanks mate!
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Wow! That works, but I really wonder how did you find it (And I also wonder how could Microsoft sell a product which cannot be installed without third party solution).
October 31st, 2010 at 4:51 pm
[...] from http://klkl.co.uk/2009/03/01/solved-microsoft-office-2007-protected-files-error/ [...]
October 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 am
awesome, it works even on my problem of project 2010 and windows xp!!!
December 3rd, 2011 at 7:47 pm
you rock man totally worked. if it wasn’t for the internet and pages like this Id never get windows to do anything right