The service should be set to "Manual" and does not start with Windows or continue to run when started manually. That is normal. It starts when needed.

Other problems with the service are due to either registry errors or file system problems. Please provide as many details of the problem as you can, when it occurs, and the full literatim text of any error messages you have received.

 

Ah, sorry. Well, it doesn't seem to start with any install that requires it.
The error message is (usually) "The Windows Installer service could not be accessed"

 

Have you tried updating the installer? I'm not sure what the latest is (and I'll help you find it if you haven't by the time I get back), but updating or just reinstalling it may well solve any problems. Search for the download.

 

Updating was Microsoft's suggestion. Unfortunately, it didn't work

 

OK. I will supply you with a repair for the registry as soon as I boot up a VM later. But what exactly happens in the services console when you attempt to start the service? What message do you get?

On the property sheet for that service, what does it say for "Path to executable"?

 

Here are the registry entries for the installation server. Unzip it, right-click the reg file inside, and choose "Merge" to merge it with your registry. Reboot and try an installation.