How to Install MSI Files on Windows 10 or Windows 11

PDF download Download Article
An easy-to-follow guide on installing MSI files on Windows 10 or 11
PDF download Download Article

Do you need to install MSI files on Windows 10 or 11? MSI files are Microsoft Windows Installer files. These files work natively in Windows to install applications and software. To install an MSI file on Windows 11 , Windows 10, and earlier versions, just double-click the file and follow the on-screen instructions. You can also use the Command Prompt (CMD) or Powershell to install an MSI file. This wikiHow teaches you how to install programs using MSI files in Windows 10 or 11.

Things You Should Know

  • You will need to be signed in as an administrator to install MSI files.
  • To install a program from an MSI file, just double-click the file ending with .MSI.
  • You can also use the command "msiexec /i [location of MSI file]" to install an MSI file using the Command Prompt or Powershell.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Installing an MSI File

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You need to be logged in as an administrator in order to install a program using an MSI file. Either log into Windows using an administrative account or talk to a system administrator and see if they can make your account an administrative account.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    File Explorer has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip. You can either click the File Explorer icon or use the keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use File Explorer to navigate to the location of the MSI file you want to install. If it's a file you downloaded from the Internet, it will most likely be in your Downloads folder.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will start the installation wizard, and start installing the program.
    • If you're prompted, click Run in the confirmation pop-up.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The installation wizard will guide you through the setup and install the program contained in this MSI file.
    • The installation steps may vary for different programs. You may be prompted to select an installation location on your computer, or select and unselect program components to install.
  6. 6
    Click Close or Finish . You'll see a final message in the installation wizard when your installation is complete.
    7. Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Command Prompt

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To do this, you must be logged into Windows as an administrator . Use the following steps to open the Command Prompt as an administrator:
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Type cmd .
    • Right-click the Command Prompt icon.
    • Click Run as administrator
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Replace "[path to MSI file] with the path to the location of the MSI file. The "msiexec /i" command is used to install an MSI file using the
    • For example, if the MSI file is located in your Downloads folder, you would type something like msiexec /i C:\Users\username\Downloads\program.msi .
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Install-Msi-Files-on-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will start installing the program using the MSI file you entered in the command prompt. This will either launch an installation wizard or it will install the program in the same location as the MSI file.
    • Alternatively, you can open MSI files in PowerShell , but you need to install the MSI PowerShell installer first. To do so, type [[kbd|msi-installer}} and press Enter . Then you can install MSI file using the same command you would use in the Command Prompt.
    • To uninstall an MSI file using this command, type msiexec /x [path to MSI file] and press Enter . [1]
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • You can't install an MSI file on a Mac. However, you can open the MSI file using an archive program like Winzip or 7-Zip. This is similar to how you would open a zip file . This will allow you to see what's inside the file.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Though MSI files are generally considered safe, there is always a possibility that they may contain viruses or malware. Always be cautious when installing programs using MSI files.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Open an ISO Files on Windows and Mac
      How to
      Find a File's Path on Windows
      How to
      Run a BAT File on Windows
      How to
      Open an Img File on PC or Mac
      Easily Create a New File in Windows: User-Friendly Instructions
      A Guide to Rebuilding the Icon Cache on a Windows PC
      How to
      Delete Files That Cannot Be Deleted
      Block an .exe Running in Windows
      How to
      Install a Screensaver File in Windows
      How to
      Copy a Folder with Batch File
      How to
      Play WebM Files
      How to
      Locate Temporary Internet Files
      How to
      Delete a File or Folder Showing Error "Access Is Denied"
      How to
      Extract a Tgz File in Windows from the Command Line
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2003/cc759262(v=ws.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Navigate to the MSI file.
      2. Double-click the file to run it.
      3. Follow the installation wizard's prompts.
      4. Click Close or Finish .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 92,277 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement