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InstallShield 6x Silent Uninstall

This is the default uninstall string in the registry for my application:

RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{5CE1EF14-2595-4320-A638-A627EE1D1BB9}\Setup.exe" -l0x9 -uninst

I have tried to add -a or -y to the install line and it still prompts me if I am sure that I want to remove the application. I have also tried creating a response file with -r -f1"C:\someresponsefile.iss" but when I add it to the end of the uninstall line I still get prompted for removal of the application. Does anyone have any experience with this or have any suggestions as to how to get a silent uninstall to occur?

I also tried with the original setup.exe and added -l0x9 -uninst -y -a to the end of it and I get the same thing, Installshield starts the uninstall process but I always get a YES or NO window asking me if I would like to remove the application. Very frustrating on a Friday afternoon.

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Answers (41)

Posted by: richdss 17 years ago
Yellow Belt
2
I had a similar problem and could not get a particular application to remove with the uninstall string. I also was unable to create the uninstall iss file.

I ended up just manually removing everything with a .reg file.
Posted by: jbonbright 17 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
2
I got this to work for a InstallShield-based (non-MSI) uninstall of Mi-Co LVT.

First, create the ISS file by running:

RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{B7BAB8FE-C3FF-4FB3-80EC-DAD76EC1BF4A}\Setup.exe" -r

(I'm assuming your app is in fact currently installed.)

If you've never done this, the setup (or uninstall in my case) will proceed as it normally would, but a setup.iss file will also be created in %WINDIR%.

Then, after reinstalling the app to test my uninstall, I used this command in my WiseScript to successfully uninstall the app:

"C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{B7BAB8FE-C3FF-4FB3-80EC-DAD76EC1BF4A}\Setup.exe" /s /x -f1c:\windows\setup.iss

You can also move the setup.iss file to another location and just change the path, if that's more convenient for you than copying it to C:\Windows prior to running the uninstall command in your script:

"C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{B7BAB8FE-C3FF-4FB3-80EC-DAD76EC1BF4A}\Setup.exe" /s /x -f1d:\installer\setup.iss

Comments:
  • Worked for me in a totally different issue! - Syntaggs 5 years ago
Posted by: bigdogg34 9 years ago
White Belt
1

As others have stated here there seem to be several options. But here is what worked for me.

- record the uninstall

-then find the uninstall string in the registry

-add the the custom uninstall.iss to your installation files folder

-and in the same folder create a .bat file that copies the custom uninstall.iss to %windir% and then add in the same file the uinstall string followed by -x -r -f1%windir%\custom uininstall.iss

The app will uninstall. Enjoy took me a while but it works. Also works very well if you are uninstalling multiple files like and additional patch or whatever.

Posted by: klukkeshot 17 years ago
Yellow Belt
1
I also tried -s -x at the end, unfortunatley this did not work. When I use /s /x, it works! Strange isn't it? you also have to use a recorded uninstall answer file. For the install, -s DOES work.
Posted by: adouglas 16 years ago
Yellow Belt
1
I was able to over come the problem by creating a removeonly iss: Setup.exe -r -removeonly. Then I was able to run the silient uninstall with: Setup.exe -s -removeonly -f1"%cd%\cm7_Uninst.iss" -f2"%windir%\cm7_Uninst.log".

Good luck

Comments:
  • That's the way it works for me too after trying every constallation, thanks a lot - TomD 10 years ago
Posted by: Tomblind 11 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0

I followed the same path that Anjana did by using autoit.  Instead of trying to guess where the controls were going to be, I just sent the key strokes. 

#Region ;**** Directives created by AutoIt3Wrapper_GUI ****
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Icon=..\logo1.ico
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_Language=1033
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_requestedExecutionLevel=requireAdministrator
#EndRegion ;**** Directives created by AutoIt3Wrapper_GUI ****
Opt("WinWaitDelay",500)
Opt("WinDetectHiddenText",1)
Func _WinWaitActivate($title,$text,$timeout=0)
  WinWait($title,$text,$timeout)
  If Not WinActive($title,$text) Then WinActivate($title,$text)
  WinWaitActive($title,$text,$timeout)
EndFunc
Run('RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{E0000650-0650-0650-0650-000000000650}\Setup.exe" -l0x9 -uninst')
_WinWaitActivate("PureEdge Viewer","")
Send ( "!y" )
_WinWaitActivate("PureEdge Viewer","PureEdge Viewer has been successfully uninstalled from your machine.")
Send ( "{SPACE}" )

It worked like a champ for me.  Compiled, it should work when done remotely with something like psexec as the hidden window/text should still be captured.  Honestly, I didn't try it yet, but I've done similar work in the past where hidden windows were captured successfully.

 

Posted by: Francoisracine 18 years ago
Third Degree Blue Belt
0
You will have to create a iss file by running this command line until setup.exe -r and cut the remaining of the commandline. Then running it as a normal setup -s -f1setup.iss -f2%temp%\logfile.log
Posted by: blueboy 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
NOPE, unfortunately that did not work. I am still banging my head over this problem.

In the uninstall log I get the following:
[InstallShield Silent]
Version=v6.00.000
File=Log File
[ResponseResult]
ResultCode=-8

I used the following uninstall line:

Setup.exe -s -f1Uninst.iss

When I used the uninstall line:

Setup.exe -uninst -s -f1Uninstall.iss

I get a prompt, therefore not silent.
Posted by: blueboy 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
Is there anyway of manually creating an ISS file and specifying events?

The uninstall of this application only prompts me if I want to uninstall the application or not - YES or NO

I just want it to click YES by default and hide the dialog box.
Posted by: Francoisracine 18 years ago
Third Degree Blue Belt
0
Did you checked on the website what is the result code -8?
ResultCode=-8
Posted by: blueboy 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
I modified the uninstall line and I still get the Yes/No prompt asking me if I want to uninstall the application.
Posted by: rikx2 18 years ago
Purple Belt
0
i faced this situation once.. cant get the prompt to disappear so i had to wrap the uninstall in a winbatch script to simulate the button press YES.. happy hunting [8D]
Posted by: blueboy 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
Thanks, I was trying to avoid that but I'll give that a shot.
Posted by: akhlaque 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
Hi Rikx2:

Can you tell me the procedure to the create the winbatch script for simulation of buttons.
Posted by: Francoisracine 18 years ago
Third Degree Blue Belt
0
This is a sample of command line:
RunDll32 ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "%programfiles%\InstallShield Installation Information\{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}\setup.exe" -s -f1%systemdrive%\setup.iss
Posted by: blueboy 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
ORIGINAL: Francoisracine

This is a sample of command line:
RunDll32 ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "%programfiles%\InstallShield Installation Information\{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}\setup.exe" -s -f1%systemdrive%\setup.iss


I've tried that command line but unfortunately without the -uninst the applicaiton does not initiate and uninstall. I would still like an answer but this application is going to be manually deployed in our environment now because a silent install method cannot be found and it's taken too long. Thanks for the suggestions and the assistance.
Posted by: Francoisracine 18 years ago
Third Degree Blue Belt
0
Did you ran
RunDll32 ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "%programfiles%\InstallShield Installation Information\{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}\setup.exe" -r to create an uninstall iss?


[InstallShield Silent]
Version=v6.00.000
File=Response File
[File Transfer]
OverwrittenReadOnly=NoToAll
[{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-DlgOrder]
Dlg0={AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SdWelcomeMaint-0
Count=4
Dlg1={AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SprintfBox-0
Dlg2={AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SprintfBox-1
Dlg3={AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SdFinish-0
[{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SdWelcomeMaint-0]
Result=303
[{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SprintfBox-0]
Result=1
[{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SprintfBox-1]
Result=1
[Application]
Name=Global Roaming - itinérance mondiale
Version=2.22.00
Company=iPass
Lang=040c
[{AB6FFA58-F491-11D3-8951-000000009611}-SdFinish-0]
Result=1
bOpt1=0
bOpt2=0
Posted by: rikx2 18 years ago
Purple Belt
0
ORIGINAL: akhlaque

Hi Rikx2:

Can you tell me the procedure to the create the winbatch script for simulation of buttons.


run (not runwait) the uninstallkey and use the winwaitexist command to wait for the prompt to appear then use the sendkey to simulate the pressing of YES. not an awful lot but it works [;)]
Posted by: wiseapp 18 years ago
Second Degree Green Belt
0
Hi Blueboy:

Just create the uninstall answer file iss and then at the command line try putting this :

RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{5CE1EF14-2595-4320-A638-A627EE1D1BB9}\Setup.exe" -l0x9 -uninst -s

Try this if it works since I know I have tried this on an application and it worked but let me know in case it doesnt so that I will again check my KB.
Posted by: blueboy 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
ORIGINAL: wiseapp

Hi Blueboy:

Just create the uninstall answer file iss and then at the command line try putting this :

RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{5CE1EF14-2595-4320-A638-A627EE1D1BB9}\Setup.exe" -l0x9 -uninst -s

Try this if it works since I know I have tried this on an application and it worked but let me know in case it doesnt so that I will again check my KB.




This did not work for the other application I was working on but I have a new application now that I require the same thing. Java 2 Runtime 1.4.1_07.

The uninstall line nearly the same:
RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\\Program Files\\InstallShield Installation Information\{CA532E73-1BB7-11D8-9D6A-00010240CE95}\Setup.exe" Anytext

I have removed the Anytext at the end of this line and replaced it with -l0x9 -uninst -s and it does not seem to uninstall the application.
Posted by: artiahc_elay 18 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Hey guyz,

A little Winbatch script for you to do an automated uninstall..hope this helps

Run("C:\Program Files\Ares\uninstall.exe", "")
Timedelay(5)
SendKeysTo("Ares 1.8.6 Uninstall: Confirmation","!u")
Timedelay(10)
SendKeysTo("Ares 1.8.6 Uninstall: Completed","!c")

Let me know if you need any explanation on that

Enjoy:)
Chaitra

Comments:
  • hi dude

    please explain the above - burtono 10 years ago
  • i am trying to uninstall a program but is keeps prompting me YES or NO
    I am still new with kace and seek some help
    May be you can assist me thanks

    regards
    Chuck - burtono 10 years ago
Posted by: wiseapp 18 years ago
Second Degree Green Belt
0
Elay,

You seem to automate this task![;)]
Posted by: jdat747 17 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
What finally worked for me is this...

I installed the setup.iss (answer file for the uninstall) to the %win% folder of my target computer. Then I captured the uninstall string for the app I wanted to remove from the registry of the target computer. In my case that string was: "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\Driver\7\INTEL3~1\IDriver.exe /M{F9F82B3D-F2CE-47D4-9312-10B8C7840483} ".

All I had to do was execute that command with -x -s at the end.
Posted by: rohit_k_agr 17 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
Hi blueboy,
Did u managed to get the solution? I am also stuck up with the same problem. No solution worked for me.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: azywietz 16 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
Had the same kind of problem today. In my case I succeeded to record an answer file by running "setup.exe -uninst -r". I was then able to use the setup.iss to run a silent uninstall with "setup.exe -uninst -s -f1<iss file>" -f2"<log file>".
I also prefer to copy the %ProgramFiles%\\InstallShield Installation Information\{<guid>} to some temp folder before starting setup.exe from that new location. Saves me getting setup.exe added to PFO's.
Posted by: aogilmor 16 years ago
9th Degree Black Belt
0
I think you'll need to manually clean this up as best you can. Those old Installshield unistall strings rarely work correctly.
Posted by: chu.jason@gmail.com 16 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Did anyone get a working answer for this? I created the iss fle for the uninstall, but after trying every possible combination of switches, i still get the popup from the "Setup Agent" asking for yes or no.
Posted by: Bcasey 16 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
I just got this to work.
There are two ways in which a silent uninstall can be performed.
Using a Response File
To run an uninstallation using a response file:
1. Prepare a response file for the uninstallation (.iss) by running Setup.exe with the /r argument:
Setup.exe /r
2. Locate the Setup.iss file generated in the Windows folder and copy it to the desired location.
3. Type the following at the command line (items in Italics represent data that is specific to your product's uninstallation):
<Path to setup>Setup.exe /s /f1"<FULLY qualified path>\YourResponseFile.iss"
Note: The /f1 parameter is necessary only if the Setup.iss file is located in a directory other than in the same location as Setup.exe.

Simple Uninstallation
If you do not want to follow the script logic and want to uninstall the product, you can use the following command line:
<Path to setup>Setup.exe /uninst
The /uninst parameter causes a forced uninstallation without opening the script. It rolls back the system changes made during the installation, including those from the MSI package and any InstallShield scripting.
[font="times new roman"]
[font="times new roman"]Syntax on commands must be exactly as shown. Happy app removal!

Comments:
  • <Path to setup>Setup.exe /uninst is silent uninstallation? - jay25oct 10 years ago
Posted by: sritech 16 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
Not sure if this post is closed, but if you still have the issue with the prompt during Uninstall, try the following:

RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\<INSERT_YOUR_PRODUCT_GUID HERE>\Setup.exe" -l0x9 -Remove -NoQuestion


Comments:
  • I can confirm. I was removing Nice Screen Agent 9.10.09.34 which had this uninstall string and finally by adding -noquestion on the end, it silently uninstalled. - mtouch01 9 years ago
Posted by: mosquat 14 years ago
Orange Belt
0
The information provided by "adouglas" worked perfectly for me

Thanks "a"
Posted by: avilag 13 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
For a Basic MSI Installshield package.
Path to your .exe file and Setup.exe /x /s /v/qn

eg: Suppose my path to my .exe file is C:\Program Files\Testtry\Example.exe...
C:\Program Files\Testtry>"Example.exe" /x /s /v/qn
This will do a silent uninstallation
Posted by: anonymous_9363 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
That won't work if the InstallShield package is non-MSI based.
Posted by: avilag 13 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
I have another question but this is regarding automate installation ,its for a basic MSI ....I have done the same thing as above except for /x its /i....inspite of using /qn I still get the warning dialog....Is there a way to automate that as wel...
Posted by: anonymous_9363 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
The folks here are jolly good but I'm afraid psychic powers are beyond them.

What warning dialog would that be? Presumably this is on Vista/Windows 7 and you're seeing a UAC dialog?
Posted by: avilag 13 years ago
Yellow Belt
0
setup.exe /i /s /w /v/"L*vx installer.txt /qn
The installation should be silent since I am using /qn....But I still get the warning box -it is in the program when a person doesnt have xyz setup it just gives a warning and they can proceed with the installation by clicking ok...
I want to automate the whole installation but I get the above warning modal box and the installation completes only after I click OK.... I am not sure how to overcome this....I want the complete installation to be automated and I am not finding the right solution....
Thanks in advance..
Posted by: Anjana 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Hi
Is there any way to suppress Yes/No prompt asking me if I want to uninstall the application?Can anyone please suggest?

Thanks
Posted by: Savage455 13 years ago
Orange Belt
0
I've met this kind of uninstall many times. The response file and the switches just can't make the uninstall silent. I alway automated it by using AutoIt script.
Posted by: Anjana 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Thanks for your reply,
I jus t tried with Autoit.recorded the uninstall action.and created exe from the au3 script.But is there any way to hide that uninstallation window?code is mentioning below
#region ---Au3Recorder generated code Start ---
Opt("WinWaitDelay",100)
Opt("WinDetectHiddenText",1)
Opt("MouseCoordMode",0)

Run('C:\Program Files\Sage P11D\SETUP\Setup.exe -uninst')
_WinWaitActivate("Sage P11D","")
MouseClick("left",183,100,1)
MouseClick("left",146,85,1)
#region --- Internal functions Au3Recorder Start ---
Func _WinWaitActivate($title,$text,$timeout=0)
WinWait($title,$text,$timeout)
If Not WinActive($title,$text) Then WinActivate($title,$text)
WinWaitActive($title,$text,$timeout)
EndFunc
#endregion --- Internal functions Au3Recorder End ---
#endregion --- Au3Recorder generated code End ---
Posted by: AngelD 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
Just generate a response file during uninstall and use the below command
setup.exe -s -f1"<path to response file>" -SMS -uninst
Posted by: jmaclaurin 12 years ago
Third Degree Blue Belt
0
I know this is an old thread thats been kicked a number of times so I thought I would toss this up here.
http://itninja.com/blog/view/installshield-setup-parameters
Posted by: akhlaque 18 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
-1
Hi Rikx2:

No its not clear Rik. Ihave never tried this. Please tell me detail if u could.
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