The MSI file format is used to hold information about configuration and installation by Microsoft’s Windows Installer . Some benefits are the rollback feature, repair feature and on-demand installation of program features. But if there is a problem with Windows Installer on your computer, you will generally face problems and errors [e.g. "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable"] while installing MSI packages.

For such a situation, there is a freeware software called Universal Extractor which can extract/unpack MSI and EXE files to a temp folder. It can extract files from virtually any type of archive, regardless of source file type, compression method, etc., including many types of compression formats such as Zip, RAR, ACE, 7-Zip, Bin, Cue, and Cab. (and many more).

When a file is passed to UniExtract, it begins by scanning the file with TrID. If the file format matches one of the supported non-executable formats listed below, it immediately begins extraction from the archive. If it’s an executable file, it calls PEiD to analyze the file signature. If the signature indicates that it’s a supported format, then it attempts to begin extraction. If it is not a recognized signature, it will try running it through 7-Zip and UnZip as default cases. If 7-Zip or UnZip recognizes it, it will be extracted; otherwise, UniExtract displays an error message and exits.

Click here to download Universal Extractor for Windows.