Windows 7 Printer Driver Installation Error 0x00000057

*Update - we are seeing this issue less these days.  Are many of you still having this issue?  If so, please describe for me in the comments section so I can see if I can recreate the pattern or if I can come up with a better solution.  Or email me.

We are seeing this error when attempting to install printers (drivers) on new Windows 7 builds. The simplest solution I have found is reboot the computer and log on with a different administrative account. Often then the printer driver can be installed without getting the error.

Here's another thing I have found. Running procmon during the installation shows 'access denied' on C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\infpub.dat. Try editing the security on this file and add the local Administrators to it, will full control. After doing this I've had success getting printer drivers to install that would give the error 0x00000057. Note - it may be necessary to change the security on all of the .dat files in the DriverStore folder to get the driver to install. Here's a script that will change the security on all the files for you.

*****Note***** - This problem is not limited to printer drivers.  Also, if you use my script, as ridiculous as it sounds, you have to be quick.  Get everything ready to perform the driver install, run the script, and then run the install, as quickly as possible after running the script.  You are racing against windows resetting the permissions.

Also, I have noticed after changing the permissions on the files Windows will change them back, removing what you have added.

If you need help on changing the permissions on the file maybe these will help:

Change permissions on C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\infpub.dat to include Administrators with Full Control.

Browse to C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore
Right click the file infpub.dat
Choose Properties
Click Security Tab
Click Edit Button
Click Add Button
Click Locations button and choose the local computer account (should be first item in list)
In the box type: Administrators
Click Check Names – this should come back underlined
Click Ok
With Administrators highlighted, put a checkmark in the checkbox next to Full Control
Click Ok
Click Ok
Retry installing the printer driver.

Cannot delete folder because of thumbs.db on Windows 7

I run into this problem a lot when trying to delete network folders. Here is a way to prevent the problem.

Go to Control Panel>Folder >Options>View>Checkmark 'always show icons, never thumbnails'. Click Ok.
You should be able to delete those folders now.

On Windows XP go to the same location and deselect 'Do not cache thumbnails'.

Will WebGuide work with Windows 7

No. I asked the developer and he said no.

Transcode 360 and Windows 7

I got an email from someone who gets this error when trying to use Transcode 360 1.6.3 with Windows 7 Windows 7 RC (build 7100):

MceUiAddIn.Launch
System.Exception: Unable to queue video file for transcoding and streaming. At
Transcode360.AddIn.NewModule.TranscodeAndPlayMedia(String filePath, Int64 timestamp)
at Transcode360.AddIn.NewModule.Launch(AddInHost host)

I downloaded and installed Windows 7 RC (Build 7100). First I installed MyMovies 2.54. I then set the folders for MyMovies to watch and let it build the database. I followed my own instructions for setting up Transcode 360.

I'm running t360 as a service, and because I am not trying to access movies stored on other machines I let the service run as the Local System account. I did the Network registry update, and I updated the mencoder.exe.

I tested from my Xbox 360 and from MyMovies choosing Watch Stream, t360 fired up and transcoded the movie. In other words, it worked fine.

I have seen on other blogs and forum where other people are having problems with Windows 7 and T360. I thought I would be able to replicate the problem and troubleshoot it.

So I am posting this in hopes of discovering what is different between my setup, and that of others, that is causing issues for others. The only difference I see between my setup and the person that emailed me is our extenders. Mine being an xbox, and his being a Linksys.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions feel free to post them in the comments section.