VSE 8.8 Patch 15 installation or upgrade fails due to missing environmental variable

Technical Articles ID: KB93424
Last Modified: 12/8/2020

Environment

McAfee VirusScan Enterprise (VSE) 8.8 Patch 15 (Build 8.8.0.2232)

Problem

VSE 8.8 Patch 15 installation or upgrade fails.

The following errors are recorded in either the vseinst_<>time_stamp>.log or vse88_patch15_<time_stamp>.log:

=> enter custom action Install_SysCore_AddAACStickyPolicy()
Retrieved property from CustomAction Data: [CustomActionData is /INSTALLDIR=C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\; /SUPPORTDIR=C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\{CE15D1B6-19B6-4D4D-8F43-CF5D2C3356FF} INSTALLDIR=C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\]
Retrieved property from CustomAction Data: [CustomActionData is /INSTALLDIR=C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\; /SUPPORTDIR=C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\{CE15D1B6-19B6-4D4D-8F43-CF5D2C3356FF} SUPPORTDIR=C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\{CE15D1B6-19B6-4D4D-8F43-CF5D2C3356FF}]
>> Copying file from C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\{CE15D1B6-19B6-4D4D-8F43-CF5D2C3356FF}\MfeVsAcH.exe to C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\MfeVsAcH.exe
>> Invoking MfeVsAch: "C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\MfeVsAcH.exe" AddAACStickyPolicy
!> Error - Could not add sticky AAC policy: -1
<= leave custom action Install_SysCore_AddAACStickyPolicy()
CustomAction Install_SysCore_AddAACStickyPolicy returned actual error code 1603
Action ended <timestamp>: InstallExecute. Return value 3.

NOTE: Some parts of the errors above might not be 100% accurate if translation happened inside a sandbox.

System Change

You installed or upgraded VSE 8.8 on a computer using the VSE 8.8 Patch 15 installer, either locally or through ePolicy Orchestrator.

Cause

An environment variable is missing in the registry. For example, %programdata%

When the VSE installer reads an environment variable on some 64-bit computers, the following registry key is either blank, or not set.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Common Appdata

Solution

The issue is resolved with VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 Patch 16.

Issue resolutions in updates and major releases are cumulative; Technical Support recommends that you install the latest version. To find the most recent release for your product, visit the Product Downloads site at https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/downloads/my-products.html.

McAfee product software, upgrades, maintenance releases, and documentation are available from the Product Downloads site at: https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/downloads/my-products.html.

NOTE: You need a valid Grant Number for access. See KB56057 - How to download Enterprise product updates and documentation for more information about the Product Downloads site, and alternate locations for some products.

Workaround

Add the value for the missing variable manually:
CAUTION: This article contains information about opening or modifying the registry.

The following information is intended for System Administrators. Registry modifications are irreversible and could cause system failure if done incorrectly.
Before proceeding, Technical Support strongly recommends that you back up your registry and understand the restore process. For more information, see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986.
Do not run a REG file that is not confirmed to be a genuine registry import file.

Press Windows+R, type regedit.exe, and click OK to open the Windows registry.
Navigate to the following location:

[Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\]
Right-click Common Appdata, and click Modify.
In the Value Data field, type:

C:\ProgramData
Click OK.
Exit the registry

Related Information

NOTE: This issue was previously resolved with VSE Patch 15 (RTS).

Affected Products

Install/Uninstall
Known Issue/Product Defect
Upgrade/Migrate
VirusScan Enterprise 8.8

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Knowledge Center

VSE 8.8 Patch 15 installation or upgrade fails due to missing environmental variable

Environment

Problem

System Change

Cause

Solution

Workaround

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Glossary of Technical Terms

Title

Title

Knowledge Center

VSE 8.8 Patch 15 installation or upgrade fails due to missing environmental variable

Environment

Problem

System Change

Cause

Solution

Workaround

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Glossary of Technical Terms

Choose your region

Title

Title