TrustedInstaller deleted

cwi87 · 17 Nov 2020

Hi all.

Newbie here. I've made a grave mistake by deleting "TrustedInstaller".
Before that I've took over the permissions of my C:\ OS drive and gave them to my only Administrator account.
Now I can't open C:\ drive, install any programs besides Google Chrome by some reason.
Already tried restoring system from a backup date 2 times. It didn't help. First time before 3 days ago, next time from a month ago. I've used the Reset option of Windows to get back to manufacturer settings. Nothing.
Tried to add back "TrustedInstaller" to the list of Advanced Security Settings of drive C:\ by "NT Service\TrustedInstaller".
Doesn't help. Same error as every time. Acces for all the accounts is disabled. Windows Troubleshooter also not responsive cause of the permissions. Basicly most of the things I'm trying to do I'm not being allowed to.
Any help will be appreciated. I know I've screwed up. Is there still anything I can do instead of clean install?

Microsoft Windows version 20H2 (OS build 19042.630)

dalchina · 17 Nov 2020

Given the radical things you've done, seems clean install is your only option. I would guess that wihout the trusted installer and with the permissions issues, normal repair options will fail. What sort of backup were you using?

The approach endlessly and tirelessly repeated time and again here to protect you, your Windows, your data and you from wasting loads of time is to use disk imaging regularly and routinely.

Given a set of disk images you can restore your PC and any imaged partition to a previous good state quite quickly and without assistance. Also creates a full backup from which you can extract files. Potentially, even should your PC be stolen you can restore to a new PC.

E.g. Macrium reflect (free is good enough, paid better) + large enough external storage for a set of image files.

Make creating an image your earliest priority before rushing in and installing everything in sight.

OldNavyGuy · 17 Nov 2020

You might try this first -

If you don't have the Windows 10 installation media, use a working computer and create bootable Windows 10 installation media on a USB flash drive. Should be the same version that is installed on the problem computer.

Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

Boot the computer from the installation media.

Click Next on the first screen.

On the second (Install) screen, select Repair your computer at the bottom left.

Select Troubleshoot.

Select System Restore, and see if there are any restore points you can roll back to.

f14tomcat · 17 Nov 2020

Barring the very slight chance OldNavy's suggestion may work, you have committed digital suicide. Stop trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together and do a clean install, get it over with and take it as a lesson well learned. And do not ignore the advice to use system imaging. If you had system backups already, you would not be posting for help. Harsh, yes, but don't waste your time trying to repair what you have damaged beyond repair.

OldMike65 · 17 Nov 2020

f14tomcat said:

Barring the very slight chance OldNavy's suggestion may work, you have committed digital suicide. Stop trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together and do a clean install, get it over with and take it as a lesson well learned. And do not ignore the advice to use system imaging. If you had system backups already, you would not be posting for help. Harsh, yes, but don't waste your time trying to repair what you have damaged beyond repair.

Very well explained !!! Good information for this user

Paul Black · 17 Nov 2020

cwi87 said:

Newbie here. I've made a grave mistake by deleting "TrustedInstaller".

You should never delete TrustedInstaller, you only ever need to kill it when performing certain operations.

I only ever taskkill /im TrustedInstaller.exe /f 1>nul 2>nul and taskkill /im TiWorker.exe, when using [ performing ] the following commands . . .

Code:

sfc /scannow
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RevertPendingActions

I hope this helps.