Visual Studio setup problem - 'A problem has been encountered while loading the setup components. Canceling setup.'

Question

I\'ve had a serious issue with my Visual Studio 2008 setup. I receive the ever-so-useful error \'A problem has been encountered while loading the setup components.

Answer 1

Sure enough, for me, it was the hotfixes. In Add/Remove Programs, check the "Show Updates" box, and remove ALL of the Hotfixes associated with your version of VS2008. Then try the "Change/Remove" button - it should now proceed without a hitch.

Well, it did for me, anyway... ;-)