had to locate and download the offline installer because the download manager won't download anything.
run the installed and it starts to install and says:
could not access network location [WIX_DIR_COMMON_DOCUMENTS] VEGAS_VEGAS_PRO_22_LEARNING_MODELS
OK so right in the middle of typing this I remembered other issues I have with installing or running certain software that reports it can't access something but is vague about it.
I checked in Settings/widows security/virus & threat protection/ransomware protection and sure enough the installer was trying to do something in my profile folders and windows was blocking it. attempts to unblock the folders failed nor was allowing programs through working either.
I had to disable controlled folder access for the install to work. so uh yeah it installed. thanks.