article [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer) in The Blog Vault

[Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Peter__ — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:53:54 GMT

It appears from viewing the community trends recently, the number of people experiencing this error when they try and install Spotify on Windows, mainly on Windows 8, is increasing. I am not sure about the root cause of this issue, however it can normally be corrected by starting Windows in Safe mode and then installing Spotify. These instructions will guide you through that process with ease!

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

user-removed — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 03:45:45 GMT

This is great if it works, but absurd that anyone should have to go through all that. Spotify need to get their crap together and make it so people can friggin get this done. I mean really, I'll just go to another provider.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

tamathav — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:02:14 GMT

I am getting this error with Windows 7 - would the same fix work (installing in safe mode)

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Peter__ — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:20:39 GMT

Should do. 😉

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

user-removed — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 18:30:09 GMT

Get your developers to fix the issue, this level of poor development is totally unacceptable. Putting the burden on your users, for lazy product management, is not a good reflection on your management team. Sort it out.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Ex-spotify-cust — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:12:04 GMT

When I'm feel like listening to relaxing music after a hard day at work the last thing I feel like is a load of hassle gettng the software to work. When I pay 9.99 a month for a service I expect a darn sight more than to be directed to FAQs or community support forums (though I do appreciate the unpaid effort that people put into fixing the problem). That is why I am now an ex-premium customer

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

BelleStarr — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 09:19:16 GMT

After I ungraded the last time it was offered, spotify quit working on my desktop (Vista OS). I read in the "help" section that a "clean reinstall" would work. I deleted Spotify and now cannot reinstall it. I get an error 52 - spotify cannot connect to the server. I shut down windows firewall and all my other "protections" and still can't reinstall.

For $10.00 a month I shouldn't have to go through this aggravation. Thankfully spotify still works on my laptop (windows 8.1) or I would just unsubscribe.

Fix it soon or lose a customer.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Ex-spotify-cust — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:02:18 GMT

@Peter wrote:

How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Written by: Peter

Last Updated: 05/08/2013

Introduction

It appears from viewing the community trends recently, the number of people experiencing this error when they try and install Spotify on Windows, mainly on Windows 8, is increasing. I am not sure about the root cause of this issue, however it can normally be corrected by starting Windows in Safe mode and then installing Spotify. These instructions will guide you through that process with ease!

These steps might also help with other installation errors.

1. Download the Full Spotify Installer Package

In order to minimize the amount of time you need to spend in Safe Mode (which is a strange experience sometimes if you have a really low screen resolution without graphics card drivers), before going any further download the full Spotify installer package for Windows to somewhere easy to get to, desktop is my first choice normally.

Download Link

2 (Optional). Print out these instructions or make them available on another device.

Since viewing these instructions when you are in Safe Mode might be more difficult than you anticipate, if you are not really sure what you are doing printing out or writing down these steps might be a good plan! If you have a tablet or another computer handy, pulling up this tutorial there might be a good idea.

3. Boot into Safe Mode

For some light reading, here is a description from Microsoft about what Windows Safe Mode is:
Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs don't run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed.

Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.
Interestingly, starting Windows in this way allows Spotify to be installed without the error 17 issue a lot of the time!

There are two main methods to boot into Safe Mode, I will outline both here for convenience.

For Windows Vista and Windows 7

An extract from Microsoft's Support Site, you can read the full article here.
1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.

Click the Start button Picture of Start button, click the arrow next to the Shut Down button Picture of Shut Down button, and then click Restart.
Do one of the following:

2. If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.

If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.

3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter. In this case we want Windows Safe Mode with Networking so select that option using the arrow keys.

Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.
You should now be in Safe Mode (it will say "Safe Mode" somewhere on the screen, normally in the corner of the desktop). Don't be alarmed if it looks weird or broken, everything is fine!

For Windows 8

Booting into safe mode in Windows 8 is a little bit more tricky than the older Windows, but still relatively easy.

An extract from Microsoft's Windows 8 Help, you can read the full article here.
1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2. Under PC settings, tap or click General.

3. Under Advanced startup, tap or click Restart now.

4. On the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot.

5. Tap or click Startup Settings.

6. Tap or click Restart.

7. On the Startup Settings screen, choose the startup setting you want. In this case we want Windows Safe Mode with Networking so select that option.

Sign in to your PC with a user account that has administrator rights.
You should now be in Safe Mode (it will say "Safe Mode" somewhere on the screen, normally in the corner of the desktop). Don't be alarmed if it looks weird or broken, everything is fine!

Advanced Users

You can also tell your system to boot into Safe Mode via msconfig. Full details for that are here but you must remember to go back and undo those settings to stop your PC booting in Safe Mode in the future!

4. Run the Spotify Installer

Now the hard bit is over, locate and run the Spotify installer file you downloaded earlier!

Hopefully it will install without error for you.

Still having issues? Reboot your computer again but select "Safe Mode" so you don't get networking an try again. This means you won't be able to test Spotify in safe mode, since you won't have an internet connection but we have seen issues with certain WiFi drivers causing installer issues before.

5. Restart your Computer

As long as you didn't use the Advanced Users option above, restart your computer again and it should boot back into normal Windows for you automatically. If not, retrace your steps and undo any changes you made.

6. Enjoy your Music!

Its a little bit of inconvenience to do this, but hopefully you can now enjoy your music!

If this tutorial helped you out, please add your kudos 🙂

Disclaimer: I do not work for Spotify - Following these instructions is at your own risk.

@Peter wrote:

How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Written by: Peter

Last Updated: 05/08/2013

Introduction

It appears from viewing the community trends recently, the number of people experiencing this error when they try and install Spotify on Windows, mainly on Windows 8, is increasing. I am not sure about the root cause of this issue, however it can normally be corrected by starting Windows in Safe mode and then installing Spotify. These instructions will guide you through that process with ease!

These steps might also help with other installation errors.

1. Download the Full Spotify Installer Package

In order to minimize the amount of time you need to spend in Safe Mode (which is a strange experience sometimes if you have a really low screen resolution without graphics card drivers), before going any further download the full Spotify installer package for Windows to somewhere easy to get to, desktop is my first choice normally.

Download Link

2 (Optional). Print out these instructions or make them available on another device.

Since viewing these instructions when you are in Safe Mode might be more difficult than you anticipate, if you are not really sure what you are doing printing out or writing down these steps might be a good plan! If you have a tablet or another computer handy, pulling up this tutorial there might be a good idea.

3. Boot into Safe Mode

For some light reading, here is a description from Microsoft about what Windows Safe Mode is:
Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs don't run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed.

Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.
Interestingly, starting Windows in this way allows Spotify to be installed without the error 17 issue a lot of the time!

There are two main methods to boot into Safe Mode, I will outline both here for convenience.

For Windows Vista and Windows 7

An extract from Microsoft's Support Site, you can read the full article here.
1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.

Click the Start button Picture of Start button, click the arrow next to the Shut Down button Picture of Shut Down button, and then click Restart.
Do one of the following:

2. If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.

If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.

3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter. In this case we want Windows Safe Mode with Networking so select that option using the arrow keys.

Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.
You should now be in Safe Mode (it will say "Safe Mode" somewhere on the screen, normally in the corner of the desktop). Don't be alarmed if it looks weird or broken, everything is fine!

For Windows 8

Booting into safe mode in Windows 8 is a little bit more tricky than the older Windows, but still relatively easy.

An extract from Microsoft's Windows 8 Help, you can read the full article here.
1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2. Under PC settings, tap or click General.

3. Under Advanced startup, tap or click Restart now.

4. On the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot.

5. Tap or click Startup Settings.

6. Tap or click Restart.

7. On the Startup Settings screen, choose the startup setting you want. In this case we want Windows Safe Mode with Networking so select that option.

Sign in to your PC with a user account that has administrator rights.
You should now be in Safe Mode (it will say "Safe Mode" somewhere on the screen, normally in the corner of the desktop). Don't be alarmed if it looks weird or broken, everything is fine!

Advanced Users

You can also tell your system to boot into Safe Mode via msconfig. Full details for that are here but you must remember to go back and undo those settings to stop your PC booting in Safe Mode in the future!

4. Run the Spotify Installer

Now the hard bit is over, locate and run the Spotify installer file you downloaded earlier!

Hopefully it will install without error for you.

Still having issues? Reboot your computer again but select "Safe Mode" so you don't get networking an try again. This means you won't be able to test Spotify in safe mode, since you won't have an internet connection but we have seen issues with certain WiFi drivers causing installer issues before.

5. Restart your Computer

As long as you didn't use the Advanced Users option above, restart your computer again and it should boot back into normal Windows for you automatically. If not, retrace your steps and undo any changes you made.

6. Enjoy your Music!

Its a little bit of inconvenience to do this, but hopefully you can now enjoy your music!

If this tutorial helped you out, please add your kudos 🙂

Disclaimer: I do not work for Spotify - Following these instructions is at your own risk.

Spotif
Spotify are still sending me emails inviting me to listen to new artists etc - oblivious to the fact that now I can't download Spotify at all even as a non premium customer. Highly irritating and I wish they would put the same effort into fixing their software problems as they do into marketing. Then I would still be a paying customer.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

crb471 — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 15:01:41 GMT

Spotty-fi, I'm done messing with your bogus installer, on top of all of your artist-shafting shenanigans.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Beema525 — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 20:20:16 GMT

Oh dear oh me. Spotify seems to be almost dead in the water. As charges started to appear, users were forced to login via Facebook. That's when I gave up - I don't use 'social media' and never will - it's intrinsically unsafe. And now, much is recently written about error codes preventing installation of the core software. If Spotify thinks people will bother, they have anoher think coming. Come on, fix all the bugs and people will consider using the product. And stop advertising Spotify until such times, or the ASA will look closely at misleading advertising in the UK. I cannot think of another piece of software - free or paid for - that is so flawed.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

thesigeng — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 18:26:35 GMT

I am one who is not going to bother with all this rubbish. Looking at this community this has been going on for 2 years at least. If Spotify cannot make installation of it product easier than this it does not deserve my trade. Was contemplating Family account but now won't bother.

Get your finger out your butt Spotify and make it easy to install your package or watch other users walk just like me!!!!!

What a waste of space.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

EdoP78 — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 08:39:53 GMT

Absolutly agree with thesigeng I'm not going to waste my time for this **bleep**! You do!

The funny think is that this happened today when I was going to pay for premium ahahah.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

WilliamSilva — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 22:15:41 GMT

Eu consegui arrumar o meu Spotify sem Fazer Esse tutorial Longo e demorado ... Pois Bem vou compartilhar isso Com Vocês

Clique com o botão direito do mause vá em Propriedades // Compatibilidade e marque a Opção Executar este Programa em Modo de Compatibilidade e tambem uma Opção Executar este Programa como administrador. E pronto 😄

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

sniperslayer4md — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 11:46:42 GMT

Guys, you dont have to go through all of that, just right click on the spotify setup icon, then search for a problem, then u want to run the program with the recommended settings. It at least worked for me, try it!

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

trapperkeeper — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:45:05 GMT

thank you so much! this worked for me. I did as folllows:

1. Right-click on Spotify Installer.exe > Troubelshoot compatibility > Try recommended settings > Start the program... > [then I followed the installation instructions]

Re : [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

zepelin — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:02:25 GMT

Seriously, Spotify. FIX THIS PROBLEM ASAP.

Re : [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

zepelin — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:05:32 GMT

Btw, trapperkeeper, your solution worked for me, many thanks!

Re�: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

trapperkeeper — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:09:46 GMT

Great to here zep! ☺

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

Spotifyi5Broken — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:43:13 GMT

Premiem Customer, about to leave this **bleep**, not bothering to fix is safemode I have better things to spend my time and money on.

Re: [Tutorial][Windows] How to Fix Error 17 (Installer)

avontoorder — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:23:22 GMT

Spotify suddenly quit working. I installed and uninstalled the program several times. I was going to simply find a new app. because I was not going to bother starting my computer in SafeMode (that is so outdated). Fixed the problem following instructions in spanish above. Up and running in less than a minute.

Easy Fix:

Right click the download icon
Choose Compatibility
Check the compatability box (I chose Windows XP Service Pack 3)