I opted for a download only version of Microsoft Office 2007 for a discounted rate. Ever since I first tried installing Office 2007, the installer gives me error messages about not being able to find files. At first I wrote these off to a poorly designed conversion from the CD media Office normally comes on to the single files installer available for download. Unfourtunatly, a Google search revealed many people, using many different install sources, experienced the same problem. During the initial installation, or when doing a repair install, the Office installer will complain that it “cannot find proofing.en-us\proof.en\proof.cab”. It may also have problems finding “proof.es” or “proof.fr”. Anything you do results in either another error message or the install being cancelled.
The good news is: I’ve found a solution.
It’s actually rather simple. Here is what you do:
- When the installer pops up the error, ignore it. Don’t close or cancel the install, just let it sit.
- Perform a Windows search for “proof.msi”. You may need to select the “Search system folders” option.
- In the results, you will see “proof.msi” located somewhere in the Windows temporary directory.
- Copy, or write down, the path that is found.
- Return to the installer. You should still have the error message present asking you to enter a location. In the box at the bottom of the error message, type or paste the path from step 4.
- Now that you have the path typed/pasted, delete the “proofing.en-us\proof.en\proof.msi” part from it.
- Press enter.
The installation should now continue flawlessly.
I’ve only tested this method with the downloadable Office 2007 installer. If you have a CD/DVD installation media and encounter the error messages, please try these steps and post a comment explaining the outcome.
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