An NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) error is an error that appears when you’re trying to install something, but the setup file is in some way corrupt or incomplete or if it doesn’t match the settings on your system. The message NSIS error – Error launching installer means that the installer has failed the self-check because it has been modified from its original form. If the installation continues, the software will be broken and won’t function properly.
To prevent this, the installer prevents itself from continuing.
There are a few situations where you might encounter such an error:
- The files for the software you have downloaded from the internet aren’t complete
- The physical media (CD/DVD) you’re installing from is damaged
- The downloaded files have been modified and are different from the original
- Required hardware, such as the CD or DVD drive, is not working
- You have a virus on your computer or false trigger from your virus scanner
There are a few simple things that you can try to solve this issue. All of them are simple, and you can try installing the software again after you’ve tried each of the solutions.
Rename the installer
This is extremely simple, and unlikely to trigger the NSIS error, but you can try it as it has been known to help. Locate the setup file, and Right-click it, and select Rename from the list.
Change the name to something simple which only has one word. For example, change it to Softwarenamesetup.exe. Try running the setup again and see if it works.
Turn off your Virus Scanner
Some software can trigger a false alarm and corrupt or delete the file after it's been downloaded. Try turning off your virus scanner then re-download the software.
Use your file extraction software to see if the installer file can be extracted
Use file extraction software such as 7zip and right click on the installer file. See if you're able to extract the files into another folder or the same folder. This has worked for me several times and it extracted another installer file that worked.
Check System Language
Hold the Windows Key and Press X and choose Control Panel.
In Control Panel type Language
From the Language pane, choose Change date, time or number formats from the left pane and then go to the Administrative tab.
Choose Change System Locale to your country’s language. If the software is in a different language, then you can change the Language but that will also change Language and Keyboard layout.
Install the software using the Command Prompt
The Command Prompt is a powerful tool, and you can use that to your advantage here. Click Start and type cmd and choose Run as administrator.
When it opens, drag the installer inside the window. You will see that the path to the installer will show up on the Command Prompt screen. Don’t press Enter yet. Press Spacebar, and type /NCRC after the setup path.
If for some reason, the path to the executable file doesn’t show up when you drag it into the Command Prompt (Window) then manually type and browse to the location.
Then press Enter and the setup should start. The /NCRC command will make the installer skip the corruption test, and it will continue running even if there is an error with it. Keep in mind though, that this will install your software, but if there is a serious error, it might not work.