I got a community server version of MySQL5.6 for windows7 32 bit. and also downloaded windows installer for the same windows version.
Everything was prepared correct
TURN OFF WINDOWS FIREWALL COMPLETELY BEFORE INSTALLING
This was one of the only threads I could find on this issue and the current answers did not cut the mustard for me.
MySQL 5.6.21, both x86 and x64, did not want to get past "Starting Server" and would give me the "MySQL install taking longer than expected" message.
I tried all of the registry cleaner, folder deletions, etc to no avail.
I am running Windows 7 x64 and I finally decided to check the event viewer to find this:
0x80070422 turns out to be some unspecified firewall error and boom, it struck me like lightning.
I hope this post helps future visitors!