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\->Windows Installer FAQ (the basics)->Installation Types (per-user or per-machine)->Per-Machine Installations with some Per-User Resources->Uninstalling PER-USER Resources

Uninstalling PER-USER Resources

Windows Installer does not uninstall (or install) per-user resources for any user other than the one performing the change.

The main approaches to handing the uninstall issue is:

  1. Leave Resources
    In this approach, once installed the facility is left in place.

    If the user can still "invoke" the process (its not just registry values etc) then this has been designed to continue to work when the originally installing product is removed. Any resources (program, shortcuts etc) that might be required are installed in a per user location (not "c:\program files"). This approach is needed for "send to", "quick launch" and similar shortcuts.

  2. Per-User Removal by some Code thats left in Place
    In this approach some code is left in place which gets invoked per user (typically at logon). This can typically be the same code that also installed the original resources and it remains at uninstall.

    This code looks to see if the product is installed. If the product is installed then the per-user processes installs the per-user parts, however if the product is not installed then these per-user bits are removed.


Microsoft awarded me an MVP (Most Valuable Professional award) in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 for the Windows SDK (Windows Installer) area.Please email me any feedback, additional information or corrections.
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Microsoft awarded me an MVP (Most Valuable Professional award) in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 for the Windows SDK (Windows Installer) area.