Hello hello! So, the first time I saw a problem was when I tried to run Minecraft Javascript. I haven't played Mincecraft in years and just recently got back into it and so this is the first red flag I got that made me think something was wrong. It wouldn't launch at all. So I did a search on the web and went through various "fixes" like resetting the Microsoft Store and Minecraft launcher. I spent hours trying various fixes and decided it was about time to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and see if that would fix it. So I updated to Windows 11 and still same problem. I then performed an sfc /scannow and it found errors and repaired them. I rebooted and now I can successfully launch Minecraft Java edition. However, the windows update to 11 boink my discord software so I needed to reinstall it. However, now discord fails to install saying "a fatal javascript error occured". So now I am thinking it is a java related issue. So I download the offline(and tried the online version) version of the latest Java but now Java won't even launch the install and no error. I double click on the install file and nothing happens. I try the java removal tool and same problem nothing launches. I found an MSI version of the latest version of java and I get a window immediately stating installation failed and that the wizard was interrupted.
I've been able to install other softwares like Bluestack so I believe Windows installation service is performing correctly. Which makes me think Java is damaged and I cannot figure out how to fix it. Current java version installed is version 8 update 271 build 1.8.0_271-b09.
Upon further troubleshooting, I attempted to install another software called Stardock Fences and I receive an "invalid start mode:archive filename". So I am starting to think Windows installation service might be the problem.
The "invalid start mode: archive filename" error typically occurs when trying to run an installation program that cannot locate the necessary files or parameters to execute properly. This may happen due to issues with the installation package or missing configuration files.
In other words your download file or install file is incomplete
The "invalid start mode: archive filename" error typically occurs when trying to run an installation program that cannot locate the necessary files or parameters to execute properly. This may happen due to issues with the installation package or missing configuration files.
In other words your download file or install file is incomplete
It seems to be happening to some downloads. I tried downloading Ccleaner and it won't even launch the installer. I tried Start11 software from Stardock and it gives me the invalid start mode error. For some reason Bluestack launched and installed fine. I just tried Steam and that launched fine. I cannot get any java installers to work. Notepad++ installed fine. I am not sure what to make of it.
After more troubleshooting I have found that the installers I am downloading are not damaged or corrupt because I can copy them over to another computer and they open and install just fine.
I've also setup a new user profile and the problem still persists under that new profile. Which makes me believe the problem isn't specifically a corrupt user profile but instead related to an OS file system problem which I would think a repair install would have fixed but hasn't.
I did the search. Looks like talk about installing java JRE which I did. There was also talk about repairing Microsoft redistribution c++ which I did. But still bumping into problems. Is there anything specific you can provide for me to try?
I did do another search using AI and did a deeper search and found step regarding checking java version and setting JAVA_HOME and some variable paths in Environmental Variables like making sure the java installation folder was set correctly. I also brought up the Java Control Panel and checked for updates within the panel rather than downloading it from Oracle. It says last known run was back in 2020. I have java version 8 update 271 which apparently is an old java version from 2020. The newest java version is Java 25 released September 2025 so I am definitely behind. However, no matter what I have done so far, I cannot get Java to update. Whenever I launch a java installed executable nothing pops ups. I tried updating in the Java Panel and same thing happens. I click on update and no window pops up. It's like Windows isn't recognizing installation or certain programs are being suppressed or blocked. Only antivirus software I have is Windows security which I have stopped in order to troubleshoot. I still believe there is some sort of issue with installers. At least using the MSI Java installer pops up with a window but it states it immediately fails.
So I went ahead and downloaded the x64 Compressed Archive java version 25.0.1 and found out how to make windows see the new java version. I copied the x64 Compressed Archive java to C:\Program Files (x86)\Java which is the default directory. Then I went into the Environmental Variables and changed the JAVA_HOME path to the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk-25.0.1. Also added the directory to PATH in the Environmental Variables. I then checked the version in command window java -version and it provided me the updated 25.0.1 version. I also went into the Java Control Panel, under the Java tab and added the 25.0.1 directory. After all that the problem still persists.
On a side note I was able to download a portable version of Discord and that works fine. However, the installer still won't work because of a fatal java script error. So at least I have a work around. But other installer as stated in the previous posts still won't install either and unfortunately there isn't a portable version for everything.
