3 ms·

interesting investigation and js. Though I'm wondering why does windows rely on the software to uninstall itself?

kevingadd 3y ago
historically all windows software has either been unzipped into a folder or installed using an installer created by the vendor, so as a result the vendor has to provide their own uninstaller too. uninstallers are complex enough that the OS can't completely take their place, though Windows has shipped with an install/uninstall framework called MSI for a long time.
- pjmlp 3y ago
  Since Windows 2000, to be precise.
- dolmen 3y ago
  INF files were (are?) also available (but quite undocumented) as an install/uninstall framework. I used to bundle an INF file in a CAB archive (converted to self-extract executable) to distribute software. Using only Microsoft's own tools.
- TremendousJudge 3y ago
  What they never shipped is understandable docs and tools for devs to create .msi installers, which caused the deluge of custom installers such as the one being discussed.
eddythompson80 3y ago
That’s kinda like asking “why does Linux rely on `curl | sudo bash`” It doesn’t rely on it. It’s just something that’s possible.
- pbhjpbhj 3y ago
  So there's a way to have Windows uninstall a program that doesn't offer an uninstaller? Where do I look in the OS for the manifest of all installed files from an installer? Thanks, I'm mostly a Linux user and I've sorely missed a `dpkg -L` on MS Windows for ages.
  - dist-epoch 3y ago
    Windows does have an official package manager now - winget. It also supports the uninstall command. Also 'winget list' https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/
    - pbhjpbhj 3y ago
      Whilst winget looks like progress (presumably there'll be a non-CLI interface soon?) it seems like it's a tool for a limited set of applications that are allowed into a Microsoft list, not even applicable to .msi[x] in general and definitely not a way to uninstall (nor even just list) files installed by applications in general.
      - dist-epoch 3y ago
        Running "winget list" on my system lists all installed application, no matter how they were installed.
- politelemon 3y ago
  Ah that hadn't clicked for me until your example. So basically it's something 'popular' but doesn't mean it's the right way to do it, it's just abusing a capability.

historically all windows software has either been unzipped into a folder or installed using an installer created by the vendor, so as a result the vendor has to provide their own uninstaller too. uninstallers are complex enough that the OS can't completely take their place, though Windows has shipped with an install/uninstall framework called MSI for a long time.

pjmlp 3y ago
Since Windows 2000, to be precise.
dolmen 3y ago
INF files were (are?) also available (but quite undocumented) as an install/uninstall framework. I used to bundle an INF file in a CAB archive (converted to self-extract executable) to distribute software. Using only Microsoft's own tools.
TremendousJudge 3y ago
What they never shipped is understandable docs and tools for devs to create .msi installers, which caused the deluge of custom installers such as the one being discussed.

eddythompson80 3y ago

That’s kinda like asking “why does Linux rely on `curl | sudo bash`” It doesn’t rely on it. It’s just something that’s possible.

pbhjpbhj 3y ago
So there's a way to have Windows uninstall a program that doesn't offer an uninstaller? Where do I look in the OS for the manifest of all installed files from an installer? Thanks, I'm mostly a Linux user and I've sorely missed a `dpkg -L` on MS Windows for ages.
- dist-epoch 3y ago
  Windows does have an official package manager now - winget. It also supports the uninstall command. Also 'winget list' https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/
  - pbhjpbhj 3y ago
    Whilst winget looks like progress (presumably there'll be a non-CLI interface soon?) it seems like it's a tool for a limited set of applications that are allowed into a Microsoft list, not even applicable to .msi[x] in general and definitely not a way to uninstall (nor even just list) files installed by applications in general.
    - dist-epoch 3y ago
      Running "winget list" on my system lists all installed application, no matter how they were installed.
politelemon 3y ago
Ah that hadn't clicked for me until your example. So basically it's something 'popular' but doesn't mean it's the right way to do it, it's just abusing a capability.