For some reason Microsoft has decided to not let us install any of the Windows Live programs; Messenger, Gallery etc. on Windows Servers or x64 editions of Windows XP. If you try to run the installer (WLInstaller.exe) on any of these OSs you see this error:
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Windows Live Installer
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Sorry, Windows Live programs cannot be installed on Windows Server, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, or Windows operating systems earlier than Windows XP Service Pack 2.
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OK
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Windows Live Installer
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Sorry, Windows Live programs cannot be installed on Windows Server, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, or Windows operating systems earlier than Windows XP Service Pack 2.
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OK
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This is quite a problem for Terminal Server users.
To work around this do the following:
- Download and run the WLInstaller.exe on a supported OS.
- Select the programs you want and let the installer finish.
- Navigate to C:Program FilesCommon FilesWindowsLiveInstallerMsiSources or C:Program Files (x86)Common FilesWindowsLiveInstallerMsiSources if you are on x64 Vista.
- Copy the MSI files for the programs you need to the unsupported OS and install them. You will have to guess as to which MSI file is for which program, but that is doable.
The installation on the unsupported OS is completely automated, you will not be asked for any input.
Nice work Microsoft…