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vourneenward

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windows 2008 server problems with size c:\windows\installer

Hi,

We have a 3rd party application installed on a number of Windows 2008 servers. The problem was discovered that every time we install a service pack (which is basically a full installation), it creates a new entry in Programs and Features AND the directory c:\windows\installer gets bigger which is causing our c:\ to run out of space.

The vendor has suggested that we uninstall all their programs from programs and features and then delete all the files that they are the author for in c:\windows installer (they call them "orphaned" files), and then finally reinstall their product.

I have concerns with this as there are other programs by the same vendor that we do not wish to uninstall.

Can anyone advise?:
Is this the correct way to uninstall? what about the registry?
Can anyone suggest a cleaner way to uninstall?

Many thanks!!
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Avatar of Todd Gerbert
Todd Gerbert
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vourneenward

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Thanks, I am looking for more information.
Is it a well-known application?
No it is not, it is a custom built one.
Hi,

I think in this case the best thing is uninstalling that application via the uninstallString Key from Registry, which also will be good if you gonna run it on couple of machines

Open the registry and browse to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

You should find a lot of keys over there for everything that been installed on the machine even different updates, find the software you after then copy the uninstallString command as shown below.

Please note that there might be more than one key for the same software (different components), so it is recommended that you go though those keys in “CurrentVersion\Uninstall” and get any more uninstallString keys for that different component if exist for that SW.

If you found more than one key and you want to run it on couple of machine let me know and I can put you a script to run that.

Regards,


Regkey.png
Forgot to mention that when you uninstalling any SW or update form Programs and Features,  it is actually runs the uninstalling String in the background

Cheers