"The MSI 'C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\vmware_1372412506\vmwareplayer_x64.msi' failed." - Workaround

Hi folks

I have been strugling to install VMWare Player for a while now, and finally found a workaround that did the trick for me. As I haven't seen this solution online, I thought I'd post it here to help others.

Facts

VMWare Player version(s): VMware-player-5.0.1-894247.exe and VMware-player-5.0.2-1031769.exe

Windows version: Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit SP1

Encryption: Yes, Bitdefender active.

What didn't work

I tested various suggestions listed here and in the KB:

1. Redownload, control checksum, all was well.
2. "Run as administrator", no change.
3. Clear TEMP folder, no change.
4. Turn off UAC settings, no change.

In summary I tested many of the solutions listed in these places with no luck:

VMware KB: Troubleshooting an MSI error during a VMware product or Tools installation

You receive an "error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation" error message when you try to instal…

Installation VMwareplayer impossible

VMWare Player fails to install on Win7 x64 Home Premium

What did work

I noticed that the VMWare files were extracted to a TEMP folder before installation failed, but were removed when it failed (standard rollback procedure I guess). Did as follows:

• Started the installation, made choices like folder etc., but did not proceed when I got to the "Continue" button that will start the installation (and generate the error)
• Navigated to the "C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp" folder, and copied the temp folder that was now present there (it is removed once you get the error message) to another folder (it is called
  "vmware_XXXXXXXXXX", where the XXXXXXXXXX is a unique number each time it seems).
• Clicked "Continue" and let the installation fail.
• Went to the folder I had copied ("vmware_1372416285" in my case).
• Double clicked "vmwareplayer_x64.msi", and it installed fine!