Remove reference from Add/remove program with Wix

Question

I have created a wix build, which does the following 1. Install the files in temporary location. 2. Then I call a custom Action to copy the files into a different location and does messaging of some of the config files. 3. Display a message to user that installation is complete. 4. and then Exit the MSI.

PROBLEM: The reference to the MSI exists in control panel add remove program.

How can I remove the reference of the project from add remove program? Is it possible within the same WIX build? What are the alternatives to achieve it?

Thanks, M

Answer 1

Assuming that you want to prevent your application from being displayed in the Add or Remove Programs list of Control Panel.

Then you need to set property ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT in to 1.

<Property Id="ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT" Value="1" />

Read more about ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT

And also if you want it to show into add or remove programs, but remove or modify functions disabled then use ARP ENTRY properties.

<Property Id="ARPNOMODIFY" Value="1" />
<Property Id="ARPNOREPAIR" Value="1" />
<Property Id="ARPNOREMOVE" Value="1" />

Refer for More Info: ARP ENTRY

And if you don't want your program to be uninstall using msiexec also you can add condition like

<Condition Message="Uninstall is not supported">REINSTALL or Not Installed</Condition>.

Uninstall using msiexec.exe /x will give pop-up saying uninstall is not supported and will quit.