Uninstall msi package

spaider84 · Postby **spaider84** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:34 am

An installation package of 'exe' type is created. Then it is converted into msi using the Group Policy Wizard. Then we install it. When we try to remove it (msiexec /x {GUID}) uninstallation is not working. When executing the install package for the second time it successfully removes.

Postby **giaviv** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:59 am

Dear spaider84,

Where did you get its GUID from?
Are you using the (Un)Install MSI Setup plugin?

spaider84 · Postby **spaider84** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:35 am

I use Product Code as GUID. I remove package using 'cmd.exe', not using the installer script

Postby **giaviv** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:45 am

Dear spaider84,

Please use the (Un)Install MSI Setup plugin - it is so much better than running 3rd party executables. Here is a tutorial on how to use it (it should fix your problem):
http://www.installaware.com/forum/downl ... php?id=325

spaider84 · Postby **spaider84** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:56 am

Thanks, but that's the point, that we need to remove msi package without using this plugin. Is it possible? If so, could you give us a clue how?

Postby **giaviv** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:16 am

How come you don't want to use the plugin?

Otherwise, you can use Run Program and run msiexec..

spaider84 · Postby **spaider84** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:01 am

giaviv wrote:How come you don't want to use the plugin?

Otherwise, you can use Run Program and run msiexec..

I tried using "Run program and run msiexec /x {GUID}". That doesn't work...

Postby **giaviv** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:37 am

Could you please provide more information about it not working? It should.
When you run the same command in cmd, does it work?

spaider84 · Postby **spaider84** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:27 pm

When we launch "cmd msiexec /x {product code}" after "Preparing to remove..." nothing happens, visual part of msiexec disapears, process "msiexec.exe" remains present. The same result gives doing via run program.

Postby **giaviv** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:01 am

Again, I really do not see why you wouldn't want to use the plugin.

Anyway, running cmd msiexec ... wont work. You need to either run msiexec, or cmd /c "msiexec....".
But regardless, this is a FAULTY approach to uninstalling your software.

If you are still against using the plugin, I would recommend you to write the UNINSTALLLINK variable's value to the registry during the installation, and then to use it later to uninstall your setup.
I am attaching a tutorial that explains how this is done.

spaider84 · Postby **spaider84** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:17 am

For testing purposes we created a blank project, adding just one test file. We built it and converted to msi. Installation works, but uninstallation via "msiexec /...." doesn't work.