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919

answers:

3

I've tried to install Visual C# 2010 Express edition onto my PC, but whenever I try to run it, I get a "Invalid license data. Reinstall is required." error message. I've already tried reinstalling it, and the message persists.

OS is Vista Home Premium. I already have VC# 2008 Express installed.

+1  A: 

It appears that this has been reported as a bug, but has been closed as "Not Reproducible". One suggestiong from the Microsoft supporter is to redownload and reinstall:

Please try downloading the complete ISO from http://www.microsoft.com/express/Downloads/#2010-All, mount it as virtual drive. Then execute Visual C# setup from the ISO media and select an option to remove the product. Once the Visual C# has been uninstalled, please try installing it again from the ISO media.

It sounds a bit far fetched to me, but you might want to give it a try.

If that does not help you, I would suggest that you either post a new bug report to Microsoft or vote to reopen the existing one (I am not sure if/how this is possible).

Jørn Schou-Rode
Will uninstalling mess with older versions of Visual Studio Express?
MiffTheFox
Older versions as in 2005/2008? I would not expect it to mess with those.
Jørn Schou-Rode
+3  A: 

I have the same problem with Windows 7 Pro. Have tried everything suggested by the Microsoft people, including uninstalling, cleaning up, reinstalling both from the web installer and the VS2010 Express iso - with the same result every time.

To say it's frustrating is an understatement and the disinterest from Microsoft in fixing what appears to be a common problem (you can find lots of search engine 'hits' for the problem, none for a solution) is quite unbelievable.

Since this is virtually a virgin Win7 install, the only conclusion is that MS have broken their licesing checks again (why check for a license on a free product?).

Edit: Following further investigation I have concluded that the advice given by Microsoft is useless and does not attempt to diagnose the problem. It simply assumes a corrupt installation source. I believe that the problem is in fact corrupt permissions/ownership of registry keys. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Licenses and subkeys needs to be owned by SYSTEM with admins having full access. On my affected system the owner cannot be displayed and no permissions are shown when viewed by admin.

I don't have the definitive fix for this so far, as I cannot adequately edit the permissions for the affected registry keys.

Re-installing Windows is an almost certain fix, but also an extremely drastic one.

Bill Hoggett
You shouldn't post an answer if you can't actually answer the question. I know it's frustrating not being able to do anything (other than ask or answer questions) until you've used the site for a while, but Stack Overflow is a Question and Answer site, not a discussion forum.
ChrisF
Welcome, Bill. You'll find many veteran users of this site are somewhat intolerant of newbies who don't know the "rules". Not to worry, just learn them. Join meta and study up. Start here: http://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/54329/what-can-we-do-for-new-users-who-want-to-ask-a-question-thats-already-been-asked
raven
Thank you for the welcome and advice. It has been noted.Let me therefore put some meat on the bones: the advice given by Microsoft is useless and does not attempt to diagnose the problem. It simply assumes a corrupt installation source.I believe that the problem is in fact corrupt permissions/ownership of registry keys. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Licenses and subkeys needs to be owned by SYSTEM with admins having full access. On my affected system the owner cannot be displayed and no permissions are shown when viewed by admin. I don't have the definitive fix for this (yet!).
Bill Hoggett
@Bill: reading the [FAQ](http://stackoverflow.com/faq/) will help you not get downvoted. ChrisF and raven should have directed you to the FAQ.
John Saunders
Yes - sorry for not including a link to the FAQ. I was trying to post helpful advice. It might help your answer if you edited in your comment - as it does actually provide more information and is a valid answer.
ChrisF
@ChrisF: BS, SO is for discussion too.
leppie
@leppie - From the FAQ "Avoid asking questions that are subjective, argumentative, or require extended discussion." - and unfortunately *any* discussion on the internet tends to become extended ;)
ChrisF
A: 

Dears,

I have faced this problem when installing the Visual studio 2010 - C# express using the local administrator account, then trying to register the application using another account that doesn't have Admin privileges, due to corporate polices this account can’t edit in the Registry by any means, so suddenly that’s how I figured out how to solve this issue I open VS 2010 as a local administrator then entered the registration key, and it is worked , I don’t understand how do that Microsoft itself didn’t mention this solution or even try hard to investigate or solve this issue

Muhammed
But I was already trying to install as an administrator... Plus it's the Express Edition... no registration key to enter... o.o
MiffTheFox