a Reference to 'Microsoft Windows Installer Object Library' could not be added

Question

I'm unable to add reference to 'Microsoft Windows Installer Object Library' with VS2012. Any ideas, what could cause this issue?

When I try to create reference to the COM component, I get this error message "a reference to 'Microsoft Windows Installer Object Library' could not be added".

The VS project is basic class library (c# x86).

Answer 1

In Visual Studio go to References > Add Reference... > COM > Browse... > %WINDIR%\system32\msi.dll.

Worked for me on VS2012.

Answer 2

Check ur Regedit , Please check these Values

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{000C1092-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\1.0

If Visual Studio 2010 Installed

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\10.0\ComponentPickerPages\Recent\{9A341D96-5A64-11D3-BFF9-00C04F990235}\1

If Visual Studio 2008 Installed

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\ComponentPickerPages\Recent\{9A341D96-5A64-11D3-BFF9-00C04F990235}\1