[Resolved] "Invalid Drive: F:\" during installation

[Josh_Oracle_User]

Hello, I've tried two fresh installs and immediately upon making my attempt to install I get an error: "Invalid Drive: f:\" When I click OK, the install aborts, I have no other options. I don't have an f:\ drive at all on my PC. Any thoughts?

Running Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1803, OS build 17134.706

Thanks!

[socratis]

I split your question from the "[VBoxVmService] -> Discussion & Support" thread, absolutely nothing to do with your problem. Please don't simply click on the first thread you find in front of you, use your judgement. It's easy enough to create your own, unique thread after all...

That seems like a problem with your MSI installer, the Microsoft installer, not VirtualBox. Have you ever installed VirtualBox before? Maybe it was in a drive "F:\"? Maybe you tried "portable" VirtualBox at some point? From a USB? Mounted as "F:\"?

You may want to clean up your registry and/or filesystem at this point. CCleaner is a freeware utility that could help you. Mind the installation, it comes with "offers" from 3rd parties, known as "bundleware". Also, check out Device Cleanup program that helps you to remove any unused devices from your computer.

[Josh_Oracle_User]

I ran CCleaner, still giving me the same error. I don't think I ever tried to run it from an external drive or in any other portable form.

[andyp73]

I wonder if you have your TEMP environment variable set to F:\? There have been other reports from people who have set that environment variable to a RAM drive and it has caused the Microsoft installer problems.

Can you open a Command Prompt and give the output from the command:

echo %TEMP%

-Andy.

[Josh_Oracle_User]

I'm getting:

C:\Users\josh_oracle_user\AppData\Local\Temp

[andyp73]

OK, that is the normal setting for it which rules out the particular issue that i mentioned before. As VirtualBox uses the standard MSI installer then you should probably look to see if its database need cleaning up - I'm not familiar with CCleaner so don't know if it did it already. The usual recommendation (taken from another thread) is:

Basic troubleshooting steps for Windows Installer.

I have two other links to suggest. See also if you have any corrupted MSI database files:

• Repair MSI (Windows Installer) 2.8.8.
• Windows Repair 4.5.1 (includes the above).

-Andy.

[Josh_Oracle_User]

Unfortunately that didn't do it either. But I've learned of a nifty tool I wasn't aware of before! Thanks!

[Josh_Oracle_User]

So, I figured out a workaround. I put in a thumb drive, assigned it drive letter F, the installer opened and from there was able to change the drive letter to C. Voila. Thanks for your efforts to offer assistance!

[socratis]

Impressive! That's a stubborn one, isn't it?

Thank you for the feedback and the solution, hope someone finds it useful in the future. Marking as [Resolved].

[Josh_Oracle_User]

It certainly was! You're welcome, I hope so as well!