I'm not sure if the wording of this will make sense...hopefully it will.  What it boils down to is there is an app I push via SMS to install...there is an u/g out there for it, but the old client needs uninstalled first. (WHY the vendor can't change that for us I don't know, its already a custom app they write for us) anyway..the user that needs this thing is asking if we can create an uninstall package.

 The way I package is by copying the cd to the share and pointing the program directly to the setup.exe or whatever file it needs to go to.  This method seems to work best for our organization. 

 Is this doable w/o a huge amount of work and tons of hours?  Hah, in other words, can a simpleton like me do it?  If questions/clarification, please ask.

 Thanks in advance!

**edit**  I found this on the site... but not sure how I'd find the uninstall switch?  Guessing the vendor could tell me that?

http://blogcastrepository.com/forums/post/11977.aspx

 

You can take the .exe and run a /? after the exe name in a command prompt. If it has switches, it should list them. Hopefully there is an uninstall switch. .MSI's are much easier just for this reason. If there is an uninstall switch, just create a new program in that package with the command line... maybe something like setup.exe /uninstall or something liek that.

Thanks.  When I look for that on this .exe it just runs, so I'm guessing that means there are no built in switches like that.  I am pushing it back to the guy that works w/ that vendor. Appreciate the help.

OK, I have some software that on the machines it was originally installed on, it also includes an uninstall.exe.  Whats going to be the best way to send this out? Do I need to copy that file from one of the machines to create the package?

 TIA for any thoughts!

I would create a new package for the application and for the command line, use the uninstall program or switch. I don't think you will have success running the local uninstall.

More than likely I'm just bein a real window licker....but in the directory where the current install exe is, there is nothing for the uninstall.....there is an uninstall.exe in the program files on the local machines....I'm prolly over thinking it...So normally I would point the program to the uninstall.exe in this case.....clarify?  The uninstall on the client looks like its something sms made w/ this push...this one was pushed different than I do alot of them..and done YEARS ago!

 thanks.

I guess you could make a .bat file package program that would call to the local uninstall path. Might be ugly, but you can try it.

Ok, we totally need a smiley of someone falling on the ground in fits of laughter...

 yes..this could REALLY get ugly....not only am I query challenged..I'm not exactly a genius with scripts either!

I'll see what I can do tho, thanks for the thoughts.....

It doesnt have to get ulgy , its a fairly easy process , it just involves lots of parameters.

First you have the uninstall.exe right,

Next you create a login script through group policy that affects those pc's ,

Third make the policy get applied when the user logs onto the pc, upon boot, make the login script run from the group policy and make the script call on the executable.

I believe you can even put the executable within group policy wthout having to use a login script,

If you do it through group poicy , you can modify the grou policy that you network already use to call on the exe, and the exe can be placed in the sysvol directory which will infact replicate to all the domain controllers,

When the user log at their site then they will run the exe from the domain controller where they are currently located without blogging ou the network from one location.