-
Title
How to run an uninstaller file from a default shortcut -
Description
There are applications that need to be uninstalled by selecting a shortcut in application folder. Usually those shortcuts only make reference to a command with specific parameters, but they do not include the silent switch or argument. -
Cause
Some programs create different uninstaller keys for every computer or users, in this case, it is not possible to use a generic element to uninstall that software, besides the uninstaller shortcut does not provide a silent switch. -
Resolution
To create a mechanism to let Desktop Authority remove this software from computers, two steps must be taken: add the silent switch to uninstaller shortcut and execute the shortcut from a batch file.
1) Create a network shared folder to hold script and batch file. Since this shared folder will be accessed by the logon script as users, shared permissions must be set to everyone (read&write) and security must be set to Authenticated users (Read&execute).
2) Create a .vbs file and save it in the created network shared folder
If shortcut is in Programs and Files (x86):
Set sh = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
strHomeFolder = oShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%PROGRAMS(X86)%")
path = strHomeFolder & "\Application\Uninstall.lnk"
Set shortcut = sh.CreateShortcut(path)
OldTarget = shortcut.Arguments
NewTarget = " /qn " & OldTarget
shortcut.Arguments = NewTarget
shortcut.Save3) Create a batch file to execute the .lnk file and save it in the created network shared folder
start "" "%PROGRAMS(X86)\Application\Uninstall.lnk"
4) Create an application launcher to run the vbs script in Desktop Authority with this configuration:
file name including path: cscript
arguments: \\networkpath\vbs file
Miscellaneous options: Run as Administrator and Hide any screen output
2) Create an application launcher to run the lnk file with a triggering command for .lnk file with this configuration:
file name including path: \\networkpath\batchfile
arguments: \\networkpath\vbs file
Miscellaneous options: Run as Administrator and Hide any screen
3) Save the elements, replicate and test.