Uninstall corrupts start menu

[Lon]

Uninstalling my application removes all the program files, registry entries, desk-top links, and start menu shortcuts just fine, unless multiple versions of the application are installed.

When multiple versions are installed and you uninstall the last version, the start menu entries for the (last) version being uninstalled are changed to point to the previous version. All of the files, registry, and desktop references, however, are removed correctly. Uninstalling the last version should also remove the corresponding start menu entries for that version.

In my Advanced Installer 6.1 project - the Files and Folders >> Application Files contains all the files. These install and remove just fine all the time.

The Files and Folders >> Application Shortcut Folder has a shortcut for starting the application, one for uninstall, and various shortcuts for doc. These all install correctly and work just fine, but they don't uninstall correctly from the start menu.

The Files and Folders >> Start Menu >> Programs >> MyComanyName has this folder, but nothing else is here. Should I move the Application Shortcut Folder links here instead ?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks
Lon

[Cosmin]

Hi,

I'm not sure I understand how exactly to reproduce the problem you are encountering. Can you please give me more details about how you are configuring the installation packages of the multiple versions?

Regards,
Cosmin

[Lon]

1. Simply install one version of an application like <MyApplicationName> version 3.2.3.

2. Create / change the version to 3.3.0 and install it. Two versions of the same application are now installed side by side (in different directories) on the same machine.

3. Access the start menu properties for the primary executable of both applications just installed:

(a) C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\MyCompanyName\MyApplicationName 3.2.3\MyExecutable.exe

and

(b) C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\MyCompanyName\MyApplicationName 3.3.0\MyExecutable.exe

4. Validate the [Start In] field for the executables point to their respective directories:

(a) "C:\Program Files\MyCompanyName\MyApplicationName 3.2.3\"

and

(b) "C:\Program Files\MyCompanyName\MyApplicationName 3.3.0\"

5. Uninstall MyApplicationName version 3.3.0.

6. Validate the shortcuts (checked in step 3b above) for the 3.3.0 just un-installed are in fact removed from:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\MyCompanyName\MyApplicationName 3.3.0

They still exist which is an error.

7. Check the properties (checked in step 4b above) for the 3.3.0 just un-installed.

They now point to the previous 3.2.3 application 4a which is an error.

[Cosmin]

Hi,

I cannot reproduce this behavior on my test machine. Following the steps you mentioned, when uninstalling the latest version the shortcuts created by it are removed correctly.

Please try this on another computer. If the problem persists please send us the two AIP files that show this behavior to support at advancedinstaller dot com so we can investigate this issue.

Regards,
Cosmin

[Lon]

Project sent to support.

Many Thanks
Lon

[Lon]

The problem was reproducable on multiple machines here.

Changing the GUID, replacing the version in the ProductName with [|ProductVersion] and dropping the fourth set of digits (build number) in the version seems to have fixed the problem.

Many thanks for your excellent help.

Lon Kight

[totmacher]

We (Riege Software International) encounter the same problem.

The installer always REMOVES the start menu entries on an update!
We have MASSIVE support requests because of this problem.

Going to "System control/Software" and REPAIRING the installation restored the program icons in the start menu.
But this is not a option.

Need help ASAP!

[Ionut]

Hi,

The installer always REMOVES the start menu entries on an update!

Note that, if you are using the option "Automatically upgrade older product versions" in the Upgrades page, an older version of the application is automatically removed when the new version package is installed. However, the shortcuts should be installed by the new version package.

In order to investigate, please send the AIP file to support at advancedinstaller dot com and also provide more details about the problem you are encountering.

Regards,
Ionut

[totmacher]

You have mail. The Problem occurs with Advanced Installer 4.6

[Cosmin]

Hi,

I tested your project using dummy source files and I was unable to reproduce the behavior you encountered. Can you please send us a log of the upgrade process so we can investigate it?

For more details about creating a log please see this page:
http://www.advancedinstaller.com/user-guide/qa-log.html

Note that the log should be created when the upgraded package is launched (the original package must be already installed).

Regards,
Cosmin