Unable to patch/install any softwares - The Windows Installer service could not be accessed

we tried to install/repair/remove the patch/application from the server and received the above error - "The Windows Installer service could not be accessed"

I checked and found that "windows installer service" was in stopped state . Hence, i tried to start the service and received the below error message 

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Solution

You can unregister and re-register the Microsoft Windows® Installer service using the following procedure:

1. On the Start menu (Windows), click Run--> cmd
2. Enter msiexec /unregister,and then click OK.
3. On the Start menu (Windows), click Run--> cmd
4. Enter msiexec /regserver,and then click OK.

Started the  "windows installer service" and installed/patched the server successfully