the feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable, I tried everything literally (trying to install 2015-2022 x64)

Troubleshooting Installation Errors: Overcoming Network Resource Unavailability During Visual Studio Version Installations

Installing multiple versions of development tools such as Visual Studio can sometimes encounter unexpected errors, particularly when dealing with specific system configurations or corrupted remnants of previous installations. A common issue reported by users involves encountering an error message stating, “The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable,” especially when attempting to install or upgrade to certain 64-bit versions, such as Visual Studio 2015-2022 x64 editions.

Understanding the Issue
This error frequently indicates that the installer is referencing a missing or inaccessible resource necessary for completing the installation or uninstallation process. It often occurs when remnants of a previous version interfere with the current installation or when the system registry contains outdated or broken references to installation files.

Key Challenges
– The error appears exclusively with the 64-bit (x64) version of the software, suggesting a possible mismatch or corruption in the 64-bit components.
– Troubleshooters or automated uninstallation tools are unable to remove the corrupted version.
– Accessing or extracting required MSI files (such as vc_runtimeminimum_x64.msi) is complicated, especially when the installer packages cannot be fully accessed or extracted using standard tools like 7-Zip.
– Conventional methods like command-line uninstallation, manual registry editing, or troubleshooting utilities have been unsuccessful.

Recommended Solutions
Here are targeted steps to resolve this issue and achieve a clean installation environment:

1. Use the Visual Studio Uninstaller
2. Download the official Microsoft Visual Studio Installer Cleanup tool from the Microsoft documentation or trusted sources.
3. Run the cleanup utility to remove any leftover components and registry entries associated with previous Visual Studio installations.

4. Restart your system after cleanup.

5. Manually Remove Remaining Files and Registry Entries

6. Carefully delete residual folders related to Visual Studio in directories such as:
7. C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\
8. C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\
9. Open the Registry Editor (regedit) and search for entries related to Visual Studio or the specific version you’re uninstalling.

10. Caution: Editing the registry is risky; back up your registry before making changes.

11. Address Missing MSI Files

12. If the installer references specific MSI files (vc_runtimeminimum_x64.msi), try obtaining these files by:
13. Re-downloading the original installer packages from official sources.