Uninstall Question

[NewsArchive]

This is not really a setupbuilder question but I thought this is a good
place to ask.....

What is the proper way to uninstall an app?
Do you just uninstall the app and not the data files? Or do you uninstall
the app, data files and installation folder?


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

[NewsArchive]

I think, that the proper way is to set the pc in a state, where you cannot
see that the program was ever there.
That means of cause, that you have to install an empty DB - Take care when
you use the setup as an update!

Edvard Korsbæk

[NewsArchive]

Eric,

Never remove "user customized" data files automatically. Never ever remove
files from the "My Documents" folder.

Let us assume, you have installed SetupBuilder and you uninstall it (for
whatever reason). What would you say if the uninstaller removes your .sb6
scripts (=data files)? <g>

If you install a data file and your application allows your customers to
store their own data in that file, I would suggest to disable the
"Uninstall" option in the "File Properties" dialog. Then, if you would like
to give an option to remove that file at uninstall, write a custom uninstall
script and ask for permission to remove it. But again, never do this for
files located in the "My Documents" folder.

My .02

Friedrich

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

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 6.6
Create Windows Vista ready installations in minutes

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[NewsArchive]

Never remove "user customized" data files automatically. Never ever remove
files from the "My Documents" folder.
[SNIP]

Depends on the program type and purpose.
Your example with .sb6 files - Yes, I would love to get rid of them <VBG>!
Og cause I would be sorry if my scripts disapeared only because of an
perhaps unintended uninstall.
My programs has usually a very specific purpose for a given time, and now
and again peoble want to reinstall the program to start from fresh.
That will not help, if they cannot remove the data files...

Edvard Korsbæk

[NewsArchive]

I have had complaints that my uninstall did not remove the data files, which
is why I asked
so I added a script to remove the data files but I am having second thoughts

In my case it is party planning software, so once the user uninstalls the
software they pretty much dont want the data there, but I want to be sure

but my users are not computer literate. some users may uninstall and then
re-install because they are having a problem with the software (yes that has
happened)

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

[NewsArchive]

> I have had complaints that my uninstall did not remove the data files, which
> is why I asked so I added a script to remove the data files but I am having second thoughts

Just open a copy of Windows Explorer to the folder where the data is stored
and give the users a message that if they want to delete the data they can
do it there.

That way they don't have to "find it and deleting it is still up to them.

HTH,

Charles


--
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[NewsArchive]

Charles

Too complicated :-)
no joke
most of my users have little or no computer knowledge
if they see a windows explorer screen open, they will freak out and it will
generate a tech support call
and most definitely do not know how to delete things in windows explorer

I guess I can popup a message asking them if they also want to delete the
data files and I can do it for them in the uninstall script though...


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

[NewsArchive]

Hi Eric,

>I guess I can popup a message asking them if they also want to delete the
>data files and I can do it for them in the uninstall script though...

You can use a dialog with a checkbox that needs to be checked to
delete the files. THEN pop up a message for verification and only if
both indicate that the files should be deleted, delete them. That's
what I would do if there were files that I would want the user to be
able to remove, but ONLY if they decide to.

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Creative, Inc.
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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