Re: Error installing mysql-installer-community-5.7.17 edition

[Barry Galbraith]

When you install MySQL, the installer places a copy of a fresh mysql database in mysql folder here

C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.7\data

As part of the "setting up" it copies the fresh database to

C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.7\data

and sets the password for root to whatever you set during the installation.

If you uninstall MySQL it leaves the database in place, just incase you are upgrading and still want your old database(s).
When you re-install MySQL, if there is already a \mysql folder at

C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.7\data

the installer doesn't overwrite it so as not to corrupt an "old" installation. But that means if you have previously set a root password, it is maintained from one installation to the next.
If you run the installer again, it will require the old root password to enable it to set a new root password.
So, if you have no data you want to save, you can stop the mysql server, rename the old \mysql folder at

C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.7\data

and run the installer/config again so that it copies a fresh blank mysql database and enables you to set a new root password.

Good luck,
Barry.