Step-by-Step Guide: File Removal During Uninstallation with WiX Toolset

Inno Setup WiX Toolset InstallShield MSIX Packaging Tool

Check your inbox and confirm the
subscription

Exclusive Newsletter

Get the latest WiX insights direct to your inbox. Subscribe now!

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

How to Remove Files on Uninstall Using WiX Toolset

When uninstalling an application, Windows Installer removes by default only the files that were created during the installation process. But, how about the files that are created after the installation?

In this article, we will see how to remove the files created after the installation using WiX Toolset.

How to remove files by adding a new component to an existing Component Group in WiX Toolset?

First, you need to add a new Component in an existing Component Group or create a new Component Group altogether – which will need to be referenced in one of the installer’s features.

Let’s imagine that you want to delete a file (sample.txt) that was created by the application in the Install Folder. To delete it, you have to add a new Component to the component group that manages the Install Folder.

Copy

For this code to work, you have to replace the wildcard from the Guid property with a brand new Guid.

Alternatively, you can replace both the name and the extension of the file, in the Name property, with wildcards, making the installer delete the following:

only the files having a certain name, by replacing the extension with a wildcard
only the files having a certain extension, by replacing the name with a wildcard
all the files, by replacing both the name and the extension with wildcards

The RemoveFile element removes a file if the parent component is selected for removal.

How to remove files on uninstall using Advanced Installer?

Here is how you can remove the files created after the installation with Advanced Installer.

1. Go to the Files and Folders page, and add a new File Removal.

To use the File Operations feature in Advanced Installer, you need to have a Professional license or higher. Start with our 30-day full feature trial .

2. In the New File Removal Dialog, fill in the Name field with the name of the file you want to be deleted.

3. For the Component field, you can choose any component you want.

4. In the Remove On field, choose the Component uninstall option

5. And for the Condition field, use the REMOVE=”ALL” condition.

That’s it!

Conclusion

As you see, you can choose between two different approaches when it comes to deleting files during the uninstall process. It is up to you to decide.

If you prefer to configure your packages through the use of XML, you should go with the WiX Toolset. But if you want a fast and efficient solution, then the option of using the GUI that comes with Advanced Installer is for you.

Advanced Installer #1 alternative to the WiX Toolset

We decided to focus on our main goal to save precious time of our developers.

HANS-LEO TEULINGS
PHD – CEO, NEUROSCRIPT, LLC

You might find useful:

Get the most from packaging with Advanced Installer

Try the 30-day fully-featured edition absolutely free!

Download Free Trial

No credit card required

Some Tips

Step-by-Step Guide: File Removal During Uninstallation with WiX Toolset