Symptoms
On a 64-bit computer, you install an instance of the 32-bit (x86-based) version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008. On the same computer, you install an instance of the 64-bit version of SQL Server 2008. Ifyou then uninstall the 64-bit instance, you receive the following error message when you open SQL Server Configuration Manager:

Cannot connect to WMI provider. You do not have permission or the server is unreachable. Note that you can only manage SQL Server 2005 and later servers with SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Invalid namespace [0x8004100e]This problem also occurs if you uninstall the 32-bit instance, and you then open SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Resolution
This problem occurs because the WMI provider is removed when you uninstall an instance of SQL Server 2008. The 32-bit instance and the 64-bit instance of SQL Server 2008 share the same WMI configuration file. This file is located in the %programfiles(x86)% folder.