Cannot install Horizon Client 2103-8.2.0-1775 (or any other version) on a Win 11 laptop

[Schuylercat]

Howdy,

I was running Horizon 2103 on my lew laptop: when Win 11 came available to me I let it install, and everything worked perfectly. Trying to log in last night to my VDI Workspace, I saw there was an update available for version 2106...and I clicked on "install" by mistake. My IT people were not impressed by that error.

The login looked normal, then gave an "install failed" message. Thing is, the installer de-installed the previous version, and I was left disconnected from work. Not good, especially after reading the new version was completely  Win 11 compliant.

So...it's not.

Any ideas? I have already lost the opportunity to fall back to Win 10 without losing data. 

[Topstep1]

Sometime when you get stuck in between two places (installed/not installed)

you need an uninstaller program (wipes out traces of previously installed version)

{Revo Uninstaller Free}

You 'may' need to reinstall the previous version, first

[Schuylercat]

@Topstep1  - Revo cannot find any evidence of the app ever having been installed. 2103 version was wiped when the 2016 version tried to install as an update, then the 2106 version failed. Now, neither installer version will complete - both fail.

[Topstep1]

Try this link...

https://customerconnect.vmware.com/en/downloads/details?downloadGroup=CART22FQ1_WIN_2103&productId=1...

[Schuylercat]

Already did. I have the latest 2106 build as well. Both load nicely on my old Win 10 laptop, neither will load on either of my newer Win 11 laptops. No error codes, no guidance, just a failed install and no support available from VMWare.

[Schuylercat]

This is profoundly, frustratingly stupid. Having said that:

So far I have tried, with version 2103 AND 2106; on 2 different, new laptops (both I3 proc, 16GB ram, 1TB SSD, running Win11 home with all updates). The installers have been re-downloaded to make sure the packages weren't corrupt (who needs corrupt files when tha package doesn't work right out of the gate?), and performed folder cleanups and reboots after each of the install failures:

- Disabling antivirus and firewall. Fail.

- Installing with HTML5 disabled. Fail Fail.

- Installing with Skype stuff disabled. Fail Fail Fail.

- Installing with enforced administrator rights. Fail Fail Fail Fail. 

- Checked the .NET Framework version it is the latest 4.8. Tried again anyway. Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail.

- Waved a dead chicken over the laptops and said "abracadabra." Fail, but I thought I felt something there for a moment. Turns out it was just the typical dreadful feeling of another VMWare-inspired fail.

What the hell VMWare? No failure codes? No advice? No help? I've found dozens of advice blogs out there for people in the same boat, not all of them ended with a success story. All the above efforts are based on those site's feedback to folks in the same boat.  

Grr.

Oh, I got a huge bonus from VMWare though: I have been given the rank of "contributor"!!! Doesn't make their app work though, does it?

[a_p_]

There should be an installation log file in your %temp% directory, which should contain details about the installation process.

André

[Topstep1]

I 'think' it is the fact that you are running Windows xx "Home"

You need Enterprise or Pro

[Schuylercat]

This is no help at all

- The compatibility Matrix states Horizon 8 (2106) is compliant with Windows version 21H2 - that's what I'm running.

- I originally had Horizon 7 running on Win 10, and upgraded to win 11 - everything worked perfectly.

- The issue began when I got a popup telling me to update my Horizon version from 7 to 8: this was when VMWare failed at everything it supposedly supports. 

- No one - NO ONE - has answers. 

It has become clear there are quite a few people who have similar issues, and VMWare failed to effectively test their product in this new environment - an imbecilic failure on their part, given the inclusion of Win11 21H2 in their compatibility guide. There are no aids, guides, or support articles for this failure. 

[Topstep1]

Try deleting the contents of this folder:

"C:\ProgramData\Package Cache"

THEN try to INSTALL the client and let me know what happens.

[iGadgetMan]

Nope. I have the same issue, and this doesn't help:

[2C30:2C68][2022-02-15T05:55:35]i301: Applying execute package: vc_14_redist_x86, action: Install, path: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\2C1AE47103E7F8D6072DF4A8D9CEB382724AC59B\vcredist_x86.exe, arguments: '"C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\2C1AE47103E7F8D6072DF4A8D9CEB382724AC59B\vcredist_x86.exe" /install /quiet /norestart'
[3C1C:3C34][2022-02-15T05:55:36]i319: Applied execute package: vc_14_redist_x86, result: 0x0, restart: None
[2C30:2C68][2022-02-15T05:55:36]i301: Applying execute package: vc_14_redist_x64, action: Install, path: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\27FBB5058BAD2B41B353900792A3D808E95331B5\vcredist_x64.exe, arguments: '"C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\27FBB5058BAD2B41B353900792A3D808E95331B5\vcredist_x64.exe" /install /quiet /norestart'
[3C1C:3C34][2022-02-15T05:55:37]i319: Applied execute package: vc_14_redist_x64, result: 0x0, restart: None
[2C30:2C68][2022-02-15T05:55:37]i323: Registering package dependency provider: {881E8C1C-858D-47BD-99E1-A40A54A555A6}, version: 8.4.0.24146, package: ViewClientx64
[2C30:2C68][2022-02-15T05:55:37]i301: Applying execute package: ViewClientx64, action: Install, path: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{881E8C1C-858D-47BD-99E1-A40A54A555A6}v8.4.0.24146\VMware Horizon View Client (x64).msi, arguments: ' ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT="1" MSIFASTINSTALL="7" INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Horizon View Client" VDM_IP_PROTOCOL_USAGE="IPv4" VDM_SERVER="" LOGINASCURRENTUSER_DISPLAY="1" LOGINASCURRENTUSER_DEFAULT="0" VDM_FIPS_ENABLED="0" URL_FILTERING_ENABLED="0" VDM_INSTALLER_CHECKS="" DESKTOP_SHORTCUT="1" STARTMENU_SHORTCUT="1" AUTO_UPDATE_ENABLED="true" ADDLOCAL="TSMMR,USB,Core,TSSO,RTAV,PrintRedir,FolderRedirection,PCOIP_MFW,Scanner,SerialPort,RDE"'
[2C30:2C68][2022-02-15T05:56:17]e000: Error 0x80070643: Failed to install MSI package.
[2C30:2C68][2022-02-15T05:56:17]e000: Error 0x80070643: Failed to execute MSI package.
[3C1C:3C34][2022-02-15T05:56:17]e000: Error 0x80070643: Failed to configure per-machine MSI package.
[3C1C:3C34][2022-02-15T05:56:17]i319: Applied execute package: ViewClientx64, result: 0x80070643, restart: None
[3C1C:3C34][2022-02-15T05:56:17]e000: Error 0x80070643: Failed to execute MSI package.
[3C1C:3C34][2022-02-15T05:56:17]i000: Bootstrapper_ExecutePackageBegin: Rolling back package ViewClientx64

[JSOBELL]

OK, I found the problem.

On Windows 11 it appears C:\WINDOWS\system32\Drivers\etc\hosts is marked as read-only, and the installer fails trying to add a view-localhost entry to it. Removing the read-only flag allows the program to install.

For anyone wanting to diagnose installation issue, during the install a file `VMware Horizon View Client (x64).msi` and some .cab files will be saved under `C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{881E8C1C-858D-47BD-99E1-A40A54A555A6}v8.4.0.24146`.

Copy the files to another folder before the installation fails.

After the install fails, using a command prompt go to that folder, and use the command `"VMware Horizon View Client (x64).msi" /lvx log.txt` to run the install with verbose logging.

The log.txt created file will contain a detailed breakdown of reasons for failures.

[Topstep1]

Hey, 

I'm glad you got that working for you. (I always wondered where that dammed host entry came form <smile>

No matter HOW long you do this stuff; there's always something new [you never seen before].