如何以编程方式卸载Windows中的应用程序？

Question

We are releasing a new version of our application and we would like it to be able to uninstall the previous installed version from the client's computer.

How would we be able to do that?

edit: I'm installing this application (and also the previous version) with a deployment project in Visual Studio, so I assume it is a Windows Installer.

Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

Deployement Project in Visual Studio has a build-in feature to remove previous versions of your application.

Check the "RemovePreviousVersions" property in the Deployement Project Properties.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/y63fxdw6.aspx

Edit :

from MSDN:

The installer checks UpgradeCode and ProductCode properties to determine whether the earlier version should be removed. The UpgradeCode must be the same for both versions; the ProductCode must be different.

Answer 2

If your using batch or another automated deployment tool for your releases, you can easily uninstall an MSI product using the following command line:

msiexec [/uninstall | /x] [Product.msi | ProductCode]

Answer 3

The Microsoft Installer (*.msi) format supports what you want do to, unfortunately Visual Studio only offers limited customisation and is designed to be used for basic projects.

There are a lot of resources out there on this topic and many other people asking similar questions. My best advice would be spent some time researching the MSDN documentation.

...

Update

OK. After spending 30 minutes reading a few articles, I think it may be possible using a custom action that you package with your new installer.

Follow this MSDN article on creating a Custom Action . It involves creating a new class library, adding an System.Configuration.Install.Installer class, adding it as an output to the setup project, and then selecting it as a custom action.

To view your custom actions tab, right-click on the setup project and select View > Custom Actions.

From here: you will need to write the code to remove the installation directory and AppData profile. This article on how to set Custom Action Data may be helpful.

Good luck.

HTH,

Dennis

Answer 4

If this you program then that's a simple reverse batch.
Or you could use some installer/uninstaller builder like NSIS