how do I enumerate all applciations from the add and remove control panel
Good evening experts,
I am looking for a paid or free solution that will enable me to enumerate all of the applications on any computer, including, msi install, exe install, setup install, windows updates, etc... you get the picture
I tried using the WMI class Win_32_Product , but it only reports MSI based installs. I used WMI to report on windows updates also, but that is also hit and miss. I am not really concerned with the Windows Updates enumeration , just the rest of the applications in add/remove.
I thought this would be the simplest thing in the world to do ,but as it turns out its pretty difficult. I want a mechanism to uninstall any unwanted applications on my member machines. I want to be able to perform this activity remotely and not have to visit each machine. additionally many applications prompt you if you reeeaaally want to uninstall the application, I want to suppress any prompts and just uninstall the app remotely , whether it be a msi install or other install program.
I found an application called absolute uninstaller and immediately paid $29 dollars for it. to my chagrin it doesn't do what it says it can. However , there is on feature that I love about the program, it gives you a command line option to uninstall the app. This is what I need. I copied the command line option another machine ran it as administrator and it actually starts the uninstall, but the dog gone prompt for verification of uninstall pops up. This is a screen shot of the app command line:
at the bottom is the golden nugget command line uninstall.
I tried the usual -s -x switches as helper files to run silently and uninstall (I didn't really need the -x , as the command had its own uninstall option -removeonly.
So, can someone help me with a better solution or perhaps you have a switch that I have yet to discover. Also please don't recommend Emco's uninstaller, I had so many problems with it that I wont get into because I don't like to bash vendors.
I am looking for a paid or free solution that will enable me to enumerate all of the applications on any computer, including, msi install, exe install, setup install, windows updates, etc... you get the picture
I tried using the WMI class Win_32_Product , but it only reports MSI based installs. I used WMI to report on windows updates also, but that is also hit and miss. I am not really concerned with the Windows Updates enumeration , just the rest of the applications in add/remove.
I thought this would be the simplest thing in the world to do ,but as it turns out its pretty difficult. I want a mechanism to uninstall any unwanted applications on my member machines. I want to be able to perform this activity remotely and not have to visit each machine. additionally many applications prompt you if you reeeaaally want to uninstall the application, I want to suppress any prompts and just uninstall the app remotely , whether it be a msi install or other install program.
I found an application called absolute uninstaller and immediately paid $29 dollars for it. to my chagrin it doesn't do what it says it can. However , there is on feature that I love about the program, it gives you a command line option to uninstall the app. This is what I need. I copied the command line option another machine ran it as administrator and it actually starts the uninstall, but the dog gone prompt for verification of uninstall pops up. This is a screen shot of the app command line:
at the bottom is the golden nugget command line uninstall.
I tried the usual -s -x switches as helper files to run silently and uninstall (I didn't really need the -x , as the command had its own uninstall option -removeonly.
So, can someone help me with a better solution or perhaps you have a switch that I have yet to discover. Also please don't recommend Emco's uninstaller, I had so many problems with it that I wont get into because I don't like to bash vendors.
To view, you may try this free software :
http://www.spiceworks.com/free-software-inventory-audit-tool/
To remote uninstalling and installing, you may try this 30 days trial:
http://www.pointdev.com/en/ideal-dispatch/index.php
Hope this help and suitable with your situation.
http://www.spiceworks.com/free-software-inventory-audit-tool/
To remote uninstalling and installing, you may try this 30 days trial:
http://www.pointdev.com/en/ideal-dispatch/index.php
Hope this help and suitable with your situation.
ASKER
Looking into your suggestions now. I use Spiceworks everyday, but didnt think they had a tool to enumerate all application in the add/remove snapin. Checking now...
ASKER
So far neither Hyena nor pointdev does what I want. Sure each has a wealth of activities that I can perform on machinees, but not the enumeration of the add/remove snap-in for the express purpose of centralized uninstalling of unwanted programs, then I can use deepfreeze to capture the computers moment in time.
ASKER
Taking another look at pointdev dispatch. In may be able to work in tandem with
absolute uninstaller. They both have the same uninstall command line string, but they don't deal with prompts. I will see if there is a switch to not only suppress prompts but hit yes if required for subsequent un-installation.
absolute uninstaller. They both have the same uninstall command line string, but they don't deal with prompts. I will see if there is a switch to not only suppress prompts but hit yes if required for subsequent un-installation.
ASKER
Nope,
both pointdev and absolute uninstaller attempt to uninstall the application, but someone has to click yes on the remote machine. If I had only ten machines, I would simply vnc into them and click yes. However, this defeats the purpose of unattended un-installations. Anymore suggestions???
both pointdev and absolute uninstaller attempt to uninstall the application, but someone has to click yes on the remote machine. If I had only ten machines, I would simply vnc into them and click yes. However, this defeats the purpose of unattended un-installations. Anymore suggestions???
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
okay lauchangkwang,
I didnt see the silent uninstall option. I will look at it again. Are your screenshots pictures of the latest version? Regardless, you are on the right track for me. testing now.....
I didnt see the silent uninstall option. I will look at it again. Are your screenshots pictures of the latest version? Regardless, you are on the right track for me. testing now.....
ASKER
okay lauchangkwang,
Take a look at my steps. they are decidedly different from what you showed me.
in your example below there is a different uninstall string. also, I am not able to even
make in changes to the silent string box. It doesn't allow type. Your further insight would be appreciated.
Take a look at my steps. they are decidedly different from what you showed me.
in your example below there is a different uninstall string. also, I am not able to even
make in changes to the silent string box. It doesn't allow type. Your further insight would be appreciated.
Try to copy the same path from "Uninstall command" to "Uninstall command in silent mode", then at the end add /QN as showed from the sample, then have a try and see whether it works.
ASKER
As I said, I am unable to even copy, cut , or paste into the "Uninstall Command inn silent mode:"
ASKER
Good evening Gentlemen,
I found a very easy solution to my problem. I convinced my boss to buy a copy of EMCO's package builder.
I simply made a build of the uninstaller and answered yes to the prompt to uninstall and created a MSI package. Works like a charm.
However,
lauchangkwang , you gave me back a wonderful tool I had long since forgotten. Pointdev can certainly remove those apps that dont require a prompt , so you get the points, and an excellent rating for showing me the new and improved pointdev
Regards,
Regis
I found a very easy solution to my problem. I convinced my boss to buy a copy of EMCO's package builder.
I simply made a build of the uninstaller and answered yes to the prompt to uninstall and created a MSI package. Works like a charm.
However,
lauchangkwang , you gave me back a wonderful tool I had long since forgotten. Pointdev can certainly remove those apps that dont require a prompt , so you get the points, and an excellent rating for showing me the new and improved pointdev
Regards,
Regis
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