When you try to install Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003, Visual Studio .NET 2002, Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0, Visual FoxPro 8.0, or Visual FoxPro for Windows 7.0, an installation program for a different product starts unexpectedly when you choose Step 1 or Step 2 of the installation process.

This problem occurs because an earlier installation of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) has left an inappropriate registry entry in the following registry key:

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Locate and then rename the installation program that starts instead of the installation program for the prerequisite product. Then, try to install the prerequisite product again.

Note You can use a utility such as Sysinternals FileMon (Filemon.exe) to detect the location of the Setup.exe file for the installation program that starts instead of the installation program for the prerequisite product. To obtain FileMon, visit the following Sysinternals Freeware Web site:

Method 2

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Delete the default data for the following registry key:To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\setup.exe
3. In the right pane, right-click (Default), and then click Modify.
4. If there is a value in the Value data box, delete the contents of the Value data box, and then click OK.
5. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.

Then, try to install the prerequisite product again.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.