Uninstalling software (Active Directory)

[Tricks]

Hello,

 

I have removed some software that was deployed via a Group Policy, and had chosen to "Allow users to continue to use the software" (was hoping to upgrade the software). I have now decided I should have uninstalled the software when I removing from the policy. Can anyone recommend a way to the uninstall software?

 

Window Server 2008 / Windows XP clients

 

Thanks

[meastaugh1]

Yes, you could use a batch file or script as a startup script to run the MSI uninstall routine.

 

For example a batch file might look like:

if not exist "c:\program files\program x\program x.exe" goto end
%windir%\system32\msiexec.exe /x [i]{GUID}/path to MSI[/i] /qn
:end

[Tricks]

Thanks meastaugh1.

 

On a related note I have another issue I'd appreciate some help with.

 

I have a package I removed from a group policy (selected to uninstall from clients) but the uninstall is failing on some machines. This isn't really a problem, other than every time these machines boot up it tries to uninstall this package again. Is there anyway to cancel the uninstall, so to speak.

 

Thanks

Edited September 8, 2009 by Tricks

[kmount]

Ah, sticky spot

 

How many machines are you talking about for this? Might be easier to try and log onto one of them and manually uninstall it to see if this clears it up. (or use msizap to clean up the cruft in the msi database if it's removed the app but cried over some file that's changed (windows update is a classic for this!))

[GrumbleDook]

The other option (depending on speed) is to reapply the package via GPO, leave it for a few days until you are sure all machines have it installed, then remove it again via GPO but without the option to leave available for users.

 

Many ways to skin a cat.

[Tricks]

To be more specific (and you are going to put your head in your hands with this one) but the package in question is one of the .Net frameworks and the reason it's failing is some machines had a newer version and won't allow the older version to uninstall as it depends on it.

 

Due to the quantity of machines (and staff laptops) I'm keen for a registry hack to stop the uninstall.

[sted]

Thanks meastaugh1.

 

On a related note I have another issue I'd appreciate some help with.

 

I have a package I removed from a group policy (selected to uninstall from clients) but the uninstall is failing on some machines. This isn't really a problem, other than every time these machines boot up it tries to uninstall this package again. Is there anyway to cancel the uninstall, so to speak.

 

Thanks

 

if its only a few pcs the microsoft installed cleanup tool usually fixes it Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

[meastaugh1]

if its only a few pcs the microsoft installed cleanup tool usually fixes it Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

 

Even if it is more than a few (and it sounds like there are), you'd use the msizap portion of the WICU as Kim suggested. Afaik msicuu is just a front-end for msizap anyway. As with the msiexec command line above it accepts the path to the source MSI or the product code GUID to identify the package. For instance msizap.exe TW! {.net Product Code GUID}

[mattx]

As already stated - the windows clean up Util [ part of the admin bar - see below ] - check out: MSI Manager - [ only installs but may help in the future ]

 

MSI Manager: Reinstall Applications Assigned by Group Policy teknotes.wordpress.com

 

This will go on the next admin bar when I get round to updating it.

[Tricks]

Thanks guys, will give your suggestions a shot.