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Files still present after remove process

Updated: 06 Nov 2010 | 2 comments
olivier_sophia's picture
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WFWI 6.2

Test has been done on two vista business SP1 machine

PC_Vista1 = after uninstalling my product, files are still present on C:\ProgramData\MyIndustry\ (same \document and settings\allusers\application data
PC_Vista2 = after uninstalling my product all files are removed as expected

On the PC_Vista1 it's a critical issue for our product. Due to this files it's not possible to use MyProduct_Vn+1 after installation, because old files are still present instead of files from MyProduct_Vn+1

i'm trying to find a solution searching on vista configuration between this two machines nut nothing at least.

Do you have an idea ?

this files are not marked "leave installed on uninstall" in component property.

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VBScab's picture
05
May
2010
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Why not...

...add the files and/or folder(s) to the RemoveFile table? It's one way to ensure absolutely that files are removed, as it doesn't rely on reversing the InstallFiles action.

Don't know why 'x' happened? Want to know why 'y' happened? Use ProcMon and it will tell you.
Think about using http://www.google.com before posting.

EdT's picture
05
May
2010
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Verbose logging

VBScab's suggestion is the most reliable way, as wildcarding files to remove on uninstall ensures that all files are removed, including any files that were not present as part of the install.
HOWEVER, on the Vista 1 machine, have you tried manually deleting the files left behind after uninstall?  (using the same account as was used for the uninstall process). It is possible that the file permissions are not allowing the files to be deleted on this machine.

Additionally, are both Vista machines configured with the same UAC settings?  Could the files be locked "in use" on Vista 1 ? This would also prevent deletion during uninstall.

Finally, verbose logging can be used for uninstall as well as for install scenarios. Comparing uninstall logs between Vista 1 and Vista 2 may reveal what differences are perceived by the windows installer process as it executes.

If your issue has been solved, please use the "Mark as Solution" link on the most relevant thread.