How to programmatically uninstall an application in Windows?

Question

We are releasing a new version of our application and we would like it to be able to uninstall the previous installed version from the client's computer.

How would we be able to do that?

edit: I'm installing this application (and also the previous version) with a deployment project in Visual Studio, so I assume it is a Windows Installer.

Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

Deployement Project in Visual Studio has a build-in feature to remove previous versions of your application.

Check the "RemovePreviousVersions" property in the Deployement Project Properties.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/y63fxdw6.aspx

Edit:

from MSDN:

The installer checks UpgradeCode and ProductCode properties to determine whether the earlier version should be removed. The UpgradeCode must be the same for both versions; the ProductCode must be different.

Answer 2

If your using batch or another automated deployment tool for your releases, you can easily uninstall an MSI product using the following command line:

 msiexec [/uninstall | /x] [Product.msi | ProductCode]