[Tex/LaTex] LyX & MiKTeX installation problems on Windows 7

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Closed 9 years ago.

I'm having problems installing LyX on Windows 7. It gets to the point of alerting me that it's going to install MiKTeX, and after I've hit OK it aborts with the following error:

No LaTeX-distribution could be found!
LyX cannot be used without a LaTeX-distribution like "MiKTeX"!
The installation will therefore be aborted.

Then, it proceeds to delete all the files it had already extracted, but hangs at deleting the LyX subfolder under Program Files (x86).

Figuring I might be able to work around this by manually installing MiKTeX, I downloaded the latest version of MiKTeX and ran that installer. Near the end of this installation, the MiKTeX Setup Wizard throws an error:

The operation could not be completed for the following reason:
Windows API error 5: Access is denied.
Details: C:\Program Files\MiKTex 2.9\miktex/bin/x64\initexmf.exe

I am logged in as an Administrator, and I've tried running both installers with Administrator rights. I've tried disabling all security software during the installation, and tried both the "all users" and "only for me" installation options.

I switched to trying the 32-bit version of MiKTeX and still got the same error. This is the end of the install log:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\MiKTeX 2.9\miktex/bin\initexmf.exe"
–common-install="C:\Program Files (x86)\MiKTeX 2.9" –rmfndb –admin –log-file="C:\Program Files (x86)\MiKTeX 2.9\miktex\config\uninst.log" –verbose:

An error occurred: source file:
Libraries\MiKTeX\Core\win\winProcess.cpp source line: 366 message:
Windows API error 5: Access is denied.

info: C:\Program Files (x86)\MiKTeX 2.9\miktex/bin\initexmf.exe

I also tried the Registry permissions hack suggested here to no avail.

While I am (obviously) willing to try installing MiKTeX separately, I'd much rather get everything installed via the LyX bundle. I have had Lyx installed on this system previously (though it has been reformatted since), and don't recall having this much trouble.

Answer 1

It seems to me that you are trying to install the 64bit version of MiKTex. I suggest trying the 32bit instead.

If this doesn't help uninstall Adobe Reader and restart, and then install MiKTeX again.

Another possible solution is listed here:

Edit (pasted the solution from the link above)

I have got the real solution Run regedt32.exe, then navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.pdf Rightclick .pdf, click permissions, and grant the administrator full rights.