Uninstall Best Techniques

[NewsArchive]

My uninstall deletes all the files I have installed perfectly, but leaves
behind any data or files created after the install.

Yesterday a customer called and said he inadvertently uninstalled my
program. When he re-installed he was back where he left off with all data
intact. Note that the customer can create folders during the normal course
of operations

The down-side is that there can be lots of data still on his computer after
the uninstall.

So what is the proper approach to handle this situation?

--
Lynn Howard
www.linkedsoftware.com

[NewsArchive]

Hi Lynn,

It depends on the data folder location (and on your preferences). If the
data is stored in a per-MACHINE location, you can ask the user (from your
custom SetupBuilder uninstall) whether the uninstall application should
delete the data file(s). If the data is stored in a per-USER location, do
nothing.

IMO, the uninstall should not remove data files that were modified by the
user. If you have "read-only" data files, then no problem to remove the
files from a per-MACHINE location. But as I understand it, you have
read/write data files -- so removing the files is "suboptimal".

I would display a message after the uninstall to inform the user that the
data files are still intact and he should create a backup, etc.

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
Create Windows Vista ready installations in minutes

-- Official Comodo Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

[NewsArchive]

Thanks Friedrich.

In my case he could have files on his machine or a server.

I'll have to research how to a display message after the uninstall. I'm
sure that info is there. <G>

But what happens if he uses Windows to uninstall?

Lynn

[NewsArchive]

Hi Lynn,

You can do whatever you want from a "custom" uninstall in SetupBuilder. So
whether the user executes the uninstall.exe directly or from the Add/Remove
Panel, it's always the very same single uninst executable that handles the
uninstallation process.

If you need help with your custom uninstall application, just let me know.

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Thanks again Friedrich. I'll see what I can do.

Lynn

[NewsArchive]

Lynn

I give my customers the option during uninstall to remove the data. If they
click yes, all data gets removed. If they click no, the program gets
removed but data stays

--
Eric Jacobowitz
www.castlecomputer.com
www.cctsoftware.com

[NewsArchive]

Hi Eric,

I don't think I can remove all data because it will be in folders they
create independent of the install.

Maybe I'm missing something here.

Lynn

[NewsArchive]

Do you have a data file that stores where the folders are? if so, you can
read that data file for the location of the folders and delete them

--
Eric Jacobowitz
www.castlecomputer.com
www.cctsoftware.com

[NewsArchive]

Thanks Eric,

Good idea! I do have a data file with the folders.

I'll look into that.

Lynn

[NewsArchive]

Hello Friedrich


> You can do whatever you want from a "custom" uninstall in SetupBuilder.

> If you need help with your custom uninstall application, just let me
> know.

An example of installing/uninstalling would be nice. Maybe with the next
update - or in the Download-Corner of your WebSite?

Jane Flemings SB6 about to the grant access to "EVERYONE" was extremely
helpful!

thx in advance ;-)
Wolfgang


--
Grüße / Regards
Wolfgang Orth

http://www.odata.de



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