Error: Could not find a Joomla! XML setup file in the package

Occasionally, when users try to install an extension, they receive an error stating "Error! Could not find an XML setup file in the package". The screenshot below illustrates what a user may see:

This error indicates that the installer cannot find the .xml file which tells it where to put particular files from the installation package. There are a number of reasons why this may occur:

1. You're trying to install a template which is a full Joomla! installation with sample data. If you re not sure about that, check the package s size - if it's above 3MB, you can safely assume that the template comes with sample data. If you have a paid hosting package, you can submit a ticket from the Cloud Control Panel™(CCP) - our Support Team will be more than happy to install it for you. If you want to do it yourself, please read the template s documentation.

2. You're trying to install a Joomla! 1.7 extension on a Joomla! 1.5 site - while both versions use .xml files, they are coded differently and Joomla! 1.5 won t recognize a 1.7 .xml file. Make sure to install the proper versions of extensions for your site.

3. The package you're trying to install is not the installation package but just something holding more .zip files which are the actual installation packages. In that case, you will need to unzip the package and install each component, module and plug-in separately.

4. The thing you're trying to install is not a Joomla! extension at all. It may be a standalone system of some sort that is designed to work with Joomla! and still not be a dedicated Joomla! extension - please read its documentation to see how to include it in your site.