Video Screencast Help
Search Video Help Close Back
to help
Not able to make it to Vision this year? Get a sampling in the Best of Vision on Demand group.

Removing files from the machine - wise package studio 7 SP2

Updated: 21 May 2010 | 7 comments
Ramana Ayodhya's picture
+5 5 Votes
Login to vote
This issue has been solved. See solution.

Here is the context:

As part of application package maintenance project i was asked to check the existing/already packaged applications. This application is a Legacy application and somebody captured it. What i figured out is during uninstall some of the files are left out and i don know why.

I need to remove these file only during uninstall. I tried custom action but i don know how?
I searched this site and i couldn't find any. I must be dumb.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ramana

Discussion Filed Under:

Comments

AppPkgServices's picture
08
Jun
2009
6 Votes +6
Login to vote

REMOVEFILE table

why don't you make use of REMOVEFILE table?

AppPkgServices's picture
08
Jun
2009
6 Votes +6
Login to vote

InstallMode = 2

and also do not forget to add InstallMode = 2 [remove during uninstall]

Eshwar's picture
08
Jun
2009
4 Votes +4
Login to vote
EdT's picture
08
Jun
2009
5 Votes +5
Login to vote

Are the files part of the install

An msi will remove only the files it installed, so any files that are created during the runtime of the application will be left behind. To clean up this additional content, you would indeed need to add the files and their folders, to the RemoveFile table, as has already been mentioned.
If the files ARE being installed by the MSI, check the components are not marked as "permanent" (ie do not remove on uninstall).

As you have not mentioned where the files left behind are located, I would also add that Microsoft recommend that files installed to the system folders are not removed on uninstall, in case there are other apps dependent on the same files.

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

AppPkgServices's picture
08
Jun
2009
6 Votes +6
Login to vote
AppPkgServices's picture
08
Jun
2009
7 Votes +7
Login to vote

I agree with EdT

You are not supposed to remove files from SYSTEM/SYSTEM32 folder during uninstall. If any of the files in PROGRAM FILES folder or some other app related folder are left behind then you can add that entry under RemoveFile table [Check the above screenshot].

Also in case of components, check the option [Leave Installed on uninstall] checked or not. If the option is checked then the component will not be removed during uninstall.

Right click on component -> details

Ramana Ayodhya's picture
08
Jun
2009
3 Votes +3
Login to vote

a File from Program Files folder and a component

There is a file from Program Files folder and a component. I check the component properties and the option was checked. I just removed the option by unchecking it.