Loading
search-img
Title
Error Reading Setup Initialization File when Launching a Compressed Setup.exe

Summary

This article provides a hotfix to address this issue.

Symptoms

When launching the install from a compressed single image Setup.exe, the install fails with message:

"Error Reading Setup Initialization File"

When running the setup with debug logging turned on (i.e., setup.exe /debuglog"C:\MyLog.log") the install log shows the errors:

Extraction of '' failed

Extraction of 'Setup.bmp'

Cause

This is due to a bug that was introduced in InstallShield 2009. This fix is recommended for any install project that is using the unicode version of Setup.exe.

Resolution

To resolve this behavior, follow the steps below:

  1. Install InstallShield 2009 Service Pack 1. (For download link, see Additional Information below)

  2. Download the hotfix

  3. Locate folder: C:\program files\InstallShield\2009\redist\Language Independent\i386

  4. Make a backup copy of the following four files:

    • setup.exe

    • setupPreReq.exe

    • setupPreReqW.exe

    • setupW.exe

  5. Unzip the hotfix and copy the updated versions of the files to this folder, overwriting the original version.

  6. Rebuild the install project.

Additional Information

InstallShield 2009 Service Pack 1 contains fixes for related issues when creating Unicode setups. It is recommended that all users of InstallShield 2009 Premier and Professional install this Service Pack, and it is a prerequisite for installing this hotfix:

Was this helpful?
Support Hub
Create a case with Support
0/255
Upload Attachment
File Upload
Maximum file size allowed is 3 MB.
File type not supported.
Supported file types:
Documents (.txt, .doc, .docx, .pdf), Images (.jpg, .png), Comma Separated Files (.csv) Speadsheets (.xlsx, .xls)

Are you sure you want to cancel the case creation?

Are you sure you want to close this case

Get Hotline support
Products Region Phone Numbers
FlexNet Operations
FlexNet Embedded
FlexNet Publisher
FlexNet Connect
FlexNet Code Insight
InstallAnywhere
InstallShield 		North America  * +1 630-332-2513 (toll)
+1 877-279-2853 (toll-free in North America)
Europe  * +44 1925 944367 (toll)
+44 800 047 8642 (toll-free in Europe)
Japan  * +81 3-4540-5335 (select option 2)
Australia  * +61 3 9895 2177
+61 1800 560 603 (toll-free in Australia)
Usage Intelligence (formerly Revulytics)
Compliance Intelligence 		Please use the Case Portal to submit your support ticket or reach out to your Revenera contact.
Book an Appointment
File Upload
Maximum file size allowed is 3 MB.
File type not supported.
Supported file types:
Documents (.txt, .doc, .docx, .pdf), Images (.jpg, .png), Comma Separated Files (.csv) Speadsheets (.xlsx, .xls)

Revenera Assistant

Revenera Assistant
+1.800.374.4353
CONTACT US REVENERA.COM FLEXERA.com
© 2026 Flexera Software. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy policy Terms and conditions Flexera Community Contact Us
Loading
Error Reading Setup Initialization File when Launching a Compressed Setup.exe