Creating Multiple Uninstall groups

[Mendo]

Are there are any ways to create multiple uninstall groups? This way when a user installs, for example, 3 out of 5 packages, he can go to Add/Remove programs later to uninstall specific packages. I would love an uninstall group for each package installed.

I've integrated several third party applications into a single setup wizard. This software is necessary for my company's software to function correctly, and I'm trying to simplify the install process (not needing separate CD's for each application). I want to give users the option to install all of the software in one massive install, but I alo want to give them the option of uninstalling just bits and pieces, but I can't figure out a way to create multiple uninstall groups in the Add/Remove programs window.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Lorne]

Re: Creating Multiple Uninstall groups

There's no automatic way to handle this, but you could try building an "uninstall setup" with some customized screens to let the user choose which programs they want to uninstall. Then have your "real" setup's uninstaller call this "uninstall setup" to do the actual uninstalling.

You'd have to set the "Never Remove" check box (on the Advanced tab of the File Properties dialog) for all the files in your "real" setup, to prevent its uninstaller from uninstalling all of the programs automatically.

The uninstall setup would be like an ordinary setup, but instead of installing files, it would use shell operations to remove the files that were installed, use registry commands to undo registry changes, etc. This would allow you to customize some screens to let the user choose which programs they want to uninstall.

I *think* this should be possible in Setup Factory 5.0. It would be easier to do well in version 6.0, although you'd still have to build an "uninstall setup" in order to present any screens to the user. (In 6.0, you could make do with a few "Show Yes/No Dialog" actions, but I'd personally rather use screens to make a better UI.)

[Lorne]

Re: Creating Multiple Uninstall groups

Another way to do it would be to just build a separate installer for each program, and use one big "mama" installer that lets the user choose which of the other installers will be run.

You could easily make this appear seamless in Setup Factory 6.0 using silent installs...I don't think you can suppress the "Initializing setup..." window in 5.0, though.

(Sorry to keep bringing up 6.0...it's just hard not to be excited about how much more flexible the thing is. Compared to 5.0, 6.0 is yoga instructor. )

[Mendo]

Re: Creating Multiple Uninstall groups

Wow, that's actually a great idea. Its a little more complicated than I was hoping for (I'm lazy, what can I say. ), but I'll give it a try. By the way, this is in response to your first reply.

Edit: Heh, SF 6 sounds interesting. Has Indigo given a release date yet? And this is in reponse to your second.

[This message has been edited by Mendo (edited 10-19-2001).]

[Lorne]

Re: Creating Multiple Uninstall groups

Originally posted by Mendo:
Wow, that's actually a great idea. Its a little more complicated than I was hoping for (I'm lazy, what can I say. ), but I'll give it a try. By the way, this is in response to your first reply.

Yeah, it wouldn't exactly be one-click-easy, would it.

Depends how complicated the installation is, though. The second method would be a lot easier to implement, but it might not end up appearing as seamless to the user.

Heh, SF 6 sounds interesting. Has Indigo given a release date yet? And this is in reponse to your second.

Nothing more specific than "pretty soon."

There will be a beta test first -- it should begin "pretty darn soon."


[This message has been edited by Lorne (edited 10-19-2001).]