Error installing mysql-installer-community-5.7.17 edition

[Scott M]

Hi there
I have installed MySQL Community edition (developer setup) a number of times and keeping getting an error at the 'Applying Security Settings' stage. When I look at the log its says- Authentication to 'localhost' for user 'root' using method 'mysql_native_password' failed with message access denied for user root@localhost (using password: YES).

The install process then finishes. I happens near the end of the install, and I am able to start the MySql server and also the Workbench and all the menu options in the windows program menu list, but am not able to set a connection. It does not seem to recognize the password of any logins and wont make the connection to the server tho it recognizes the server as running.

I have tried to reset the passwords using the console for root and other user accounts I created during the install but it does not make any difference. I have tried to follow a few of the the suggestions for server connection failures but to no avail using MySQL workbench, and I have no doubt its tied to this 'Applying Security Settings' install error on my windows 7 64bit laptop.

If anyone can give me any advice on how to get around this installation error, I'd be most appreciative as I cant use MySQL otherwise.