Modify the Add/Remove Program (Yes, another question...)
Hello,
Yes, this is another very interesting and (I hope...) not so stupid question :-)
I would like to modify some parameters of the Add/Remove Program.
When I install my package and I go to the ARP, I can see two options associated my installed product : Modify and Remove.
But looking at some other products, I can see a single button : Modify/Remove.
I want this button ! (Why ? During my uninstall process, I warn the user of some important consequences, but if the user push the "remove" button, this launch a silent uninstall... and the user can't be warned :-/)
I found this link :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/configuring_add_remove_programs_with_windows_installer.asp
But didn't find anything interesting for me.
One solution would be to disable the Remove button (I can do it [:D]) and change the Text of the Modify button to Modify/Remove (I can't do it [:(] )
Any suggestion, solution, something in "tion" ?
Yes, this is another very interesting and (I hope...) not so stupid question :-)
I would like to modify some parameters of the Add/Remove Program.
When I install my package and I go to the ARP, I can see two options associated my installed product : Modify and Remove.
But looking at some other products, I can see a single button : Modify/Remove.
I want this button ! (Why ? During my uninstall process, I warn the user of some important consequences, but if the user push the "remove" button, this launch a silent uninstall... and the user can't be warned :-/)
I found this link :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/configuring_add_remove_programs_with_windows_installer.asp
But didn't find anything interesting for me.
One solution would be to disable the Remove button (I can do it [:D]) and change the Text of the Modify button to Modify/Remove (I can't do it [:(] )
Any suggestion, solution, something in "tion" ?
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Answers (14)
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Posted by:
WiseUser
18 years ago
Hi Babric.
You awarded me a couple of points earlier which I'm not entirely sure I'd earned? So I'm going to try to make up for it...
Unfortunately, I don't know an easy way to do what you're asking - but you could try this "manual" experiment (which could be scripted):
1) Set the "ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT" to 1 (either in the package or on the command line). This makes your package invisible in the ARP.
2) Export the "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\<GUID>" that corresponds to your package to a ".reg" file.
3) Rename the top level key in the ".reg" file from "<GUID>" to "<Whateveryoulike>".
4) Edit the ".reg" file to remove any of these entries if they exist: "WindowsInstaller", "ModifyPath", "NoRepair", "SystemComponent".
5) Import the new ".reg" file.
Here's another summary of the modifications:
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\<Whatever>]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\<Whatever>]
"ModifyPath"=-
"NoRepair"=-
"SystemComponent"=-
"WindowsInstaller"=-
Hope it works![;)]
You awarded me a couple of points earlier which I'm not entirely sure I'd earned? So I'm going to try to make up for it...
Unfortunately, I don't know an easy way to do what you're asking - but you could try this "manual" experiment (which could be scripted):
1) Set the "ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT" to 1 (either in the package or on the command line). This makes your package invisible in the ARP.
2) Export the "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\<GUID>" that corresponds to your package to a ".reg" file.
3) Rename the top level key in the ".reg" file from "<GUID>" to "<Whateveryoulike>".
4) Edit the ".reg" file to remove any of these entries if they exist: "WindowsInstaller", "ModifyPath", "NoRepair", "SystemComponent".
5) Import the new ".reg" file.
Here's another summary of the modifications:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\<Whatever>]
"ModifyPath"=-
"NoRepair"=-
"SystemComponent"=-
"WindowsInstaller"=-
Hope it works![;)]
Posted by:
babric
18 years ago
MMMMh as you said, not an easy way :-)
But this works and that's good to know how I can do that (even if I really don't know how to script it... [8|] I only used some simple vb scripts with "RegWrite", and it seems there are no RegCopy functions... [:(]).
Thank you WiseUser ! It remains you to find the answer to my last question in the " REBOOT and REBOOTPROMPT Properties" Post [:D] !
If someone knows an easier way... please tell me !
Another question : Someone knows how to change the ARP buttons name (Remove, Modify, etc...) ?
But this works and that's good to know how I can do that (even if I really don't know how to script it... [8|] I only used some simple vb scripts with "RegWrite", and it seems there are no RegCopy functions... [:(]).
Thank you WiseUser ! It remains you to find the answer to my last question in the " REBOOT and REBOOTPROMPT Properties" Post [:D] !
If someone knows an easier way... please tell me !
Another question : Someone knows how to change the ARP buttons name (Remove, Modify, etc...) ?
Posted by:
WiseUser
18 years ago
I'm guessing that these strings may be hard-coded within the "Appwiz.cpl" (and "Appwiz.cpl.mui") protected system file? If this is the case, I'd leave well alone.
Posted by:
babric
18 years ago
You really know all about msi...
What is your knowlwedge base ? Experience ? :-)
I didn't find this information, looking for many hours (hum ok 1 hour) google results...
Don't you think about writting a book ?
"The Ultimate MSI Book (with all the Add/Remove cheats)" 49.99 Only $ !
Hum.
Thanks for your answers, you really earned your 2 points this time :-)
What is your knowlwedge base ? Experience ? :-)
I didn't find this information, looking for many hours (hum ok 1 hour) google results...
Don't you think about writting a book ?
"The Ultimate MSI Book (with all the Add/Remove cheats)" 49.99 Only $ !
Hum.
Thanks for your answers, you really earned your 2 points this time :-)
Posted by:
babric
18 years ago
Last question about this topic :
Here :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{MYGUID}
can see several values including EstimatedSize, InstallDate, Version, VersionMajor and VersionMinor.
Are these Values important or could I delete them ?
(Or, if I delete them, could this make an uninstall, upgrade, patch or something else failed ?)
Here :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{MYGUID}
can see several values including EstimatedSize, InstallDate, Version, VersionMajor and VersionMinor.
Are these Values important or could I delete them ?
(Or, if I delete them, could this make an uninstall, upgrade, patch or something else failed ?)
Posted by:
WiseUser
18 years ago
Best way to find out is to export the key as a backup, then delete things one at a time. Press F5 to refresh the ARP window so you can observe the effect.
You can use the backup regfile to restore the origianl settings whenever you like. Then try something else.
These keys should only affect the ARP. The "real" setting that MSI uses are stored elsewhere in the registry. Here for per-machine installs:
"HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\<GUID>\InstallProperties"
Notice that you can delete the whole "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{MYGUID}" key and the application will still appear in the ARP.
Messing with these keys should make no difference whatsoever to the success/failure of your installations, upgrades and removals.
You can use the backup regfile to restore the origianl settings whenever you like. Then try something else.
These keys should only affect the ARP. The "real" setting that MSI uses are stored elsewhere in the registry. Here for per-machine installs:
"HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\<GUID>\InstallProperties"
Notice that you can delete the whole "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{MYGUID}" key and the application will still appear in the ARP.
Messing with these keys should make no difference whatsoever to the success/failure of your installations, upgrades and removals.
Posted by:
WiseUser
18 years ago
ORIGINAL: babric
You really know all about msi...
What is your knowlwedge base ? Experience ? :-)
I didn't find this information, looking for many hours (hum ok 1 hour) google results...
Don't you think about writting a book ?
"The Ultimate MSI Book (with all the Add/Remove cheats)" 49.99 Only $ !
Hum.
Thanks for your answers, you really earned your 2 points this time :-)
Thanks for the vote of confidence... and the points![:D]
I've been packaging "forever" (at least it feels like it)!! Shame I don't know someting useful!
I use google too, but when it's not there you just have to dig around until you find the answer. The "Appwiz.cpl" answer was just a guess - I could be wrong on that one.
I learn a lot from answering questions on this site and others. I guess "Appdeploy" is a kind of "book" that we're all writing.
Posted by:
AngelD
18 years ago
ORIGINAL: WiseUser
I'm guessing that these strings may be hard-coded within the "Appwiz.cpl" (and "Appwiz.cpl.mui") protected system file? If this is the case, I'd leave well alone.
Im currently repackaging realplayer 10.5 and noticed that the setup from the original installation "RealPlayer10-5GOLD.exe" adds the button "Change/Remove" instead of two different buttons with "Change" and "Remove".
So can't refere that this is hardcoded within "Appwiz.cpl" (and/or "Appwiz.cpl.mui")
Posted by:
WiseUser
18 years ago
Hi AngelD.
You should read the post from the top - I think you may have missed some of the earlier information?
We are already aware that there is another button called "Change/Remove" which is usually present when the installation is a "legacy" (non-MSI) type. We can even make an MSI use this button using the manual procedure that I described above.
What we can't do is change the "caption" of the "Modify" button (so that we could simply hide the "Remove" one).
You should read the post from the top - I think you may have missed some of the earlier information?
We are already aware that there is another button called "Change/Remove" which is usually present when the installation is a "legacy" (non-MSI) type. We can even make an MSI use this button using the manual procedure that I described above.
What we can't do is change the "caption" of the "Modify" button (so that we could simply hide the "Remove" one).
Posted by:
babric
18 years ago
ORIGINAL: WiseUser
Best way to find out is to export the key as a backup, then delete things one at a time. Press F5 to refresh the ARP window so you can observe the effect.
You can use the backup regfile to restore the origianl settings whenever you like. Then try something else.
These keys should only affect the ARP. The "real" setting that MSI uses are stored elsewhere in the registry. Here for per-machine installs:
"HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\<GUID>\InstallProperties"
Notice that you can delete the whole "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{MYGUID}" key and the application will still appear in the ARP.
Messing with these keys should make no difference whatsoever to the success/failure of your installations, upgrades and removals.
That is exactly what I wanted to know !
If I delete some Values in "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{MYGUID}" , the ARP is modified. (As you said)
So there is a link, but not a vital link :-)
Posted by:
AngelD
18 years ago
ORIGINAL: WiseUser
Hi AngelD.
You should read the post from the top - I think you may have missed some of the earlier information?
We are already aware that there is another button called "Change/Remove" which is usually present when the installation is a "legacy" (non-MSI) type. We can even make an MSI use this button using the manual procedure that I described above.
What we can't do is change the "caption" of the "Modify" button (so that we could simply hide the "Remove" one).
Well my bad, should have read the whole thing once more ;)
The button caption should change by modifying the "NoModify" and "NoRepair" entries under Uninstall and/or InstallProperties, but these bastards (thats the buttons in this case ;) ) wouldn't change anyway after trying.
Will see if I find something else about this.
Posted by:
AngelD
18 years ago
Don't know if you have solved the problem but found this @ http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/community/centers/management/msi_faq.mspx
"On the Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems, ARNOREMOVE disables the Remove button of Add/Remove Programs."
"On the Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems, ARNOREMOVE disables the Remove button of Add/Remove Programs."
Posted by:
babric
18 years ago
Yes I have solved my problem... which was not to disable the remove button, but set another button : Change/Remove. (and remove others).
BTW, thank you for your attention :-)
BTW, thank you for your attention :-)
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