SQL Server 2012 Uninstall Error

Question

After uninstalling one instance from SQL Server 2012, I tried to uninstall the second one but this time an error pop ups saying I don't meet the requirements which is not true since I was using SQL before.

Have anyone encountered this problem before?

System Specifications:

Intel Core i3-2300 @ 3.10 GHz
2.00GB(1.82 GB Usable)
32 bit Operating System

SQL Server Edition: Enterprise

Error: The operating system on this computer does not meet the minimum requirements for SQL Server 2012. For Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 operating systems, Service Pack 2or later is required. For Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, Service Pack 1 or later is required. For more information, see Hardware and Software Requirements for installing SQL Server 2012 at:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=195092

Answer 1

This post would be more appropriate as a comment, but I cannot post comments, so here it goes.

I have had the same problem. I run Windows 7 with SP1. I accidentally installed the 32 bit version, instead of the 64, of SQL Server Express 2012 SP1 on my 64 bit system, and could not remove it due to the above error.

I have followed John S's advice and changed the compatibiliby mode of setup.exe to Vista SP2. On my machine, this file was located in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Setup Bootstrap.

After that I was able to run the "Remove" option from the control panel with success.

Another fix: (since this didn't work for me) - you need the SQL2012 with SP3 Install Media for the version you have installed. SP3 doesn't have that bug with the installer so just mount the ISO or browse to the extracted media and run F:\setup.exe /ACTION=uninstall - that worked for me perfectly after A LOT of seraching. This post helped me get there - thank you. (I'm editing because I don't have reputation!).