Prompt user for uninstallation password during application uninstallation from Add/Remove programs.

Question

I have written one application in which I require to prompt the user for password when the user wants to uninstall it from the Add/Remove programs. The user should be able to uninstall the application only if the password is correct. I have searched a lot for password protected uninstallation but I am not getting anything. I am using Orca to modify propertirs of msi file and not yet found any property which can set uninstallation password.

During installation I am asking the users to enter unistallation password and saving it in encrypted form into registry. Plz help me in it. Any help will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Shilpi,

Welcome to the MSDN forum.

Which installer tool you're using now? I suppose each installer tool would has a solution that require password when uninstalling. If you're using ClickOnce, we have a forum http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winformssetup/threads for support.

And a non professional suggestion, make 2 unist.exe for your program. One of them (i.e uninst1.exe) is for require password and unlock this program, you won't have to make it by a installer tool. If use input correct password, then uninst1.exe will call the uninst.exe to uninstall it.

I hope this will help.

Best regards,

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Shanks Zen
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us

Answer 2

Hello Shanks,

Thanks for your reply.

Actually I am making a Windows Installer (msi) using visual studio and orca tool (to modify .msi file). I have made uninstaller.exe which asks for the password and if password is correct it stops the service I am running. When we install this application the entry goes to control panel (ARP). Now during uninstall from control panel I am able to launch that uninstaller.exe but if I give it a wrong password then also the entry of my application goes from control panel and the service is still running.

So that is my problem even if I am giving the wrong password my application is uninstalled. I want that if in my uninstaller.exe someone gives wrong password my application should not be uninstalled and entry should remain in the control panel.

Once again Thanks for your support and looking forward for reply...

Answer 3

Hi Shilpi,

Thanks for your reply.

I think there is something wrong with Windows Installer script. IMO, wrong password will prompt user to re-input password or exist the uninstaller.exe. For Windows Installer script question, regret to say I haven't found an official forum for it. Hope some members familiar with Windows Installer will jump in this thread.

Best regards,

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Shanks Zen
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us