Uninstall a previous app installed with another installer?

Common questions about using Actual Installer.
Post Reply
OZRay
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:40 am

Uninstall a previous app installed with another installer?

Post by OZRay »

Hi! I'm a new Pro version user of Actual installer and I'm having a question. Previously we were using an installer that comes with VisualStudio 2015 and we do have many clients that already have our software installed with that old installer. Any idea on how I could detect and start uninstalling the old app before installing the new one that will now use Actual Installer? All the new versions of our software will use Actual Installer and the Live update but I need to find a way for our client to uninstall the previous one not done with Actual Installer. :)
Thanks
Leo
Site Admin
Posts: 455
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:40 pm

Re: Uninstall a previous app installed with another installe

Post by Leo »

To make this, you need to know what GUID was used for installing your old version. Example for Actual Installer: {318020E9-4E14-DAB0-1CE4-2EE91C6FF5D0}

You can find it in the Registry keys (by searching for your app name):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

When you have GUID, you can find a path to old Uninstaller. To make it go to System / Variables and add:

Code: Select all

Variable Name: <MyVar1>
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\YOUR_GUID
Value Name: UninstallString
Value Type: STRING
Default Value: 
So if you old version is installed on a computer, the variable <MyVar1> contains a path to Uninstaller.
Now just execute this Uninstaller (System / Commands):
File: <SystemDir>\cmd.exe
Parameters: /C IF EXIST "<MyVar1>" "<MyVar1>"
or
Parameters: /C IF EXIST "<MyVar1>" START "<MyVar1>"
Launch on OS: Any
Show: Normal
Timing: Before Installation
Wait: YES
Run as admin: No
Leo,
Actual Installer Team
https://www.actualinstaller.com
OZRay
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:40 am

Re: Uninstall a previous app installed with another installe

Post by OZRay »

Wow! What a support!! I will try that and let you know. I was scared to move to Actual Installer but with that kind of fast and reliable support, I'm now 100% confident that I have done the right choice!
Thanks Leo.
OZRay
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:40 am

Re: Uninstall a previous app installed with another installe

Post by OZRay »

Thanks Leo, I tried this but it's not working. I tried many things before writing to you but can't make it work :(

So in the System/Variables, I have this:
Variable: <OldInstallation1_5>
Registry Bitness: Default
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{E1DA79A6-48F0-4974-863F-F6B5F29E6978}
Registry Value: UninstallString
Value Type: String
Default Data: Empty

In the System/Commands, I have:
File: <SystemDir>\cmd.exe
Parameters: /C IF EXIST "<OldInstallation1_5>" "<OldInstallation1_5>"
OS: Any
Show: Normal
Timing: Before Installation
Wait for process to finish

I tried also with /C IF EXIST "<OldInstallation1_5>" START "<OldInstallation1_5>"

If I get the UninstallString from the registry manually, WIN+R paste and execute the uninstaller start.

I also tried some stuff like the Parameters: Echo "<OldInstallation1_5>" & pause
And I'm only getting the command prompt showing nothing printed as expected.

Need some help here please :)

thanks
OZRay
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:40 am

Re: Uninstall a previous app installed with another installe

Post by OZRay »

OK I tried this as the parameters: /C ECHO "<OldInstallation1_5>" & PAUSE
And got this printed: "MsiExec.exe /I{E1DA79A6-48F0-4974-863F-F6B5F29E6978}"

Look like the IF EXIST is not working maybe...
Leo
Site Admin
Posts: 455
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:40 pm

Re: Uninstall a previous app installed with another installe

Post by Leo »

Then just execute this uninstall string:

Code: Select all

File: <SystemDir>\cmd.exe
Parameters: /C "<OldInstallation1_5>"
OR

Code: Select all

File: <SystemDir>\cmd.exe
Parameters: /C msiexec /i "<OldInstallation1_5>"
Leo,
Actual Installer Team
https://www.actualinstaller.com
OZRay
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:40 am

Re: Uninstall a previous app installed with another installe

Post by OZRay »

Yes thanks I managed to make it work :)
Post Reply