Cannot uninstall program: Error opening the installtion log file.

Mark
Mark used Ask the Experts™
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I am trying to uninstall VIPRE anti-virus from a Windows 7 workstation. I get the message "Error opening the installation log file. Verify that the specific log file location exists and is writable." Of course, the message doesn't actually tell you what the location and file name is that it's having trouble opening.

All searches I've come across refer to MS Knowledge Base article  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2564571, which basically gives the steps:

1. Stop the explorer.exe process from Task Manager

2. Open Task Task manager and start a new Explorer.exe task.

CTRL+ALT+DEL | Task Manager | Applications | New Task...

3. Retry the uninstallation again from "Program and Features". It should now allow you to successfully uninstall the affected software.

I've done this multiple times. It doesn't work for me. I continue to get the error message. How can I fix this?
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Shaun VermaakTechnical Specialist
Awarded 2017
Distinguished Expert 2018
Commented:
Download MSIZap https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa370523(v=vs.85).aspx and run after locating GUID in Registry
guid.png
Mark

Author

Commented:
Thanks, I'll try downloading that now, but what do you mean about the GUI in the registry? What is your image showing me?

more info .. The link you listed says, "This tool is only available in the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers"
Shaun VermaakTechnical Specialist
Awarded 2017
Distinguished Expert 2018

Commented:
Thanks, I'll try downloading that now, but what do you mean about the GUI in the registry? What is your image showing me?
Installation each have a GUID. Use this path in registry to find GUID
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

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more info .. The link you listed says, "This tool is only available in the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers"
Yes, part of download
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Blayney
Commented:
Try uninstalling in safe mode. This often works for me.
But you will have to start the uninstaller service once you are in there. Follow this guide.

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/117840-uninstall-remove-software-safe-mode.html
dbruntonQuid, Me Anxius Sum?  Illegitimi non carborundum.
Commented:
Or try a reinstall over the present installation.

Then try the uninstall.
Mark

Author

Commented:
Blayney: I tried that guide. It did not work for me. I got "Windows could not start the Windows Installer service on local computer", and at the command prompt I got "The service name is invalid." I double checked to make sure I typed the registry entries exactly as described. I tried booting safe mode with and without networking.

Shaun Vermaak: I did download the winskd_web.exe Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, but VIPRE is not listed in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall collection. I supposed that means I cannot use the MSIZap tool without a GUID?
Mark

Author

Commented:
dbrunton: Tried installing, VIPRE outsmarts me. It says, "You are trying to install a product in the VIPRE family that has fewer features than  your currently installed version. To perform this migration, you will need to uninstall your current VIPRE product."
Mark

Author

Commented:
I've tried every suggestion I can find on the web including renaming the TEMP folder, deleting the VIPREInstaller.log and VIPREPRemiumInstaller.log, running the vipre installer from the command line, etc. Nothing is working. I need a way to get this program off this computer! Other ideas?
Commented:
I got it uninstalled. I used a 3rd party program, Revo Uninstaller http://downloads.techradar.com/downloads/revo-uninstaller-free. That did it.
dbruntonQuid, Me Anxius Sum?  Illegitimi non carborundum.

Commented:
Have a look at this thread  https://support.threattracksecurity.com/support/solutions/articles/1000070667-how-to-manually-remove-a-vipre-business-agent

It is possible you have a Premium or Endpoint Security version installed but the instructions there seem to cover all versions.
Mark

Author

Commented:
I found a solution.

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