I'm getting this error with every MS Office 2010 application that I click on, I noticed a windows auto update ran just before hand, was working fine yesterday. I'm using Windows Vista SP2.
Here's what happens when I simply try to open any Office application:
Word/Excel/PowerPoint/etc >
Windows Installer: Preparing to install... >
Problem with Shortcut: This update package could not be opened. Verify that the update package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer update package.
Outlook ("C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsMicrosoft OfficeMicrosoft Outlook 2010") >
Windows Installer: Preparing to install... >
Same error/problem as above.
Outlook ("C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice14OUTLOOK.EXE" /recycle) (quicklaunch shortcut) >
Windows Installer: Preparing to install... >
Error: Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.
ETA...
If I try to open the actual exe's as opposed to using the shortcuts in Start > All Programs > Microsoft Office, they work fine.
* Actual exe's: C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice14*.exe
* Shortcuts point to: C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsMicrosoft Office
If I try to create new shortcuts, I get the error Shortcut:'Windows cannot create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?'
As a workaround, I had to put the shortcuts on the desktop, then move them to the shortcuts folder (& click continue when it requests administrator permission).
If this doesn't help, then you might check with the vendor of the program for assistance and support.
Hope this helps.
Marilyn
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think