We created this website because there are a lot of common problems people have when using MSN Messenger. Usually, these can be easily solved when you know how.
While trying to install Messenger it fails and you get error code 1601 along with the message:
Messenger setup has failed with error code: '1601'. Please go to the Messenger Web site an download the software from there.
To install Messenger you need to be logged in with an account with administrator rights, if you don't have access to once you can't install Messenger. Also verify that you have the latest stable release of Messenger downloaded from the official website.
Other running processes and programs on your computer might cause you getting this error. Ad-Aware's Ad-Watch is a common cause for this problem. To close other programs click with your right mouse button on their icons in the taskbar and select exit or close. When done run setup again and see if it works now.
Another thing you can try is the following. Click Start, then Run. Type: msiexec /unreg and press enter. When this is done repeat it but now fill in msiexec /regserver.
If you have an operation system older then Windows XP you might need to install the latest version of Windows Installer to get it to work. For Windows 95, 98 and ME go here for Windows NT 4.0 or 2000 go here.
If it is still not working make sure your computer is clean and up-to-date. You can read more about cleaning your pc in this article.