Very Slow Uninstaller on Windows 10

[leeroy]

Hi we are running into an issue where the uninstaller is successful, but it takes seconds on windows 11 and 6-10 minutes on Windows 10.

We see it pausing in the logs at these points.

Code: Select all

MSI (s) (E0:EC) [15:42:04:466]: Invoking remote custom action. DLL: C:\WINDOWS\Installer\MSI8CA0.tmp, Entrypoint: OnXmlRemove
MSI (s) (E0:B0) [15:42:04:466]: Generating random cookie.
MSI (s) (E0:B0) [15:42:04:471]: Created Custom Action Server with PID 30920 (0x78C8).
MSI (s) (E0:40) [15:42:04:511]: Running as a service.
MSI (s) (E0:40) [15:42:04:514]: Hello, I'm your 32bit Elevated Non-remapped custom action server.
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:04:882]: Executing op: ActionStart(Name=RemoveShortcuts,Description=Removing shortcuts,Template=Shortcut: [1])
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:04:883]: Executing op: SetTargetFolder(Folder=C:\Program Files\
Application Name Here\)
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:04:883]: Executing op: ShortcutRemove(Name=Uninst~1|APPLIaUninstaller)

**** LONG PAUSE ****

MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:04:887]: Verifying accessibility of file: APPLICATION NAME Uninstaller.lnk
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:04:889]: Using source file security for destination.
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:04:889]: Note: 1: 2318 2: C:\Config.Msi\17f813c.rbf 
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:52:860]: Executing op: SetTargetFolder(Folder=22)

**** LONG PAUSE ****

MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:52:862]: SHELL32::SHGetFolderPath returned: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:52:862]: Executing op: ShortcutRemove(Name=NAMEOnl~1|
Application Name Here)
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:52:865]: Verifying accessibility of file: 
Application Name Here.lnk
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:52:866]: Using source file security for destination.
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:42:52:866]: Note: 1: 2318 2: C:\Config.Msi\17f813d.rbf 
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:43:40:493]: Executing op: SetTargetFolder(Folder=23\
Application Name Here\)

**** LONG PAUSE ****

MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:43:40:495]: SHELL32::SHGetFolderPath returned: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:43:40:496]: Executing op: ShortcutRemove(Name=NAMEINS~1|APPLICATION NAME Uninstaller)

**** LONG PAUSE ****

MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:43:40:500]: Verifying accessibility of file: APPLICATION NAME Uninstaller.lnk
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:43:40:500]: Using source file security for destination.
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:43:40:500]: Note: 1: 2318 2: C:\Config.Msi\17f813e.rbf 
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:44:26:158]: Executing op: SetTargetFolder(Folder=25)
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:44:26:159]: SHELL32::SHGetFolderPath returned: C:\Users\Public\Desktop
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:44:26:159]: Executing op: ShortcutRemove(Name=NAMEOnl~1|
Application Name Here)

**** LONG PAUSE ****

MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:44:26:162]: Verifying accessibility of file: 
Application Name Here.lnk
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:44:26:163]: Using source file security for destination.
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:44:26:163]: Note: 1: 2318 2: C:\Config.Msi\17f813f.rbf 
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:45:13:279]: Executing op: SetTargetFolder(Folder=23\
Application Name Here\)
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:45:13:283]: SHELL32::SHGetFolderPath returned: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:45:13:283]: Executing op: ShortcutRemove(Name=NAMEOnl~1|
Application Name Here)

**** LONG PAUSE ****

MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:45:59:994]: Executing op: ActionStart(Name=AI_AiRemoveFilesDeferred_Undoable,Description=Preparing files for removal,Template=Preparing file: [1])
MSI (s) (E0:08) [15:45:59:996]: Executing op: CustomActionSchedule(Action=AI_AiRemoveFilesDeferred_Undoable,ActionType=11265,Source=BinaryData,Target=**********,CustomActionData=**********)
MSI (s) (E0:EC) [15:46:00:001]: Invoking remote custom action. DLL: C:\WINDOWS\Installer\MSI24AC.tmp, Entrypoint: OnAiRemoveFilesUndoable

**** BACK TO NORMAL ****
...
...
...

[Liviu]

Hello,

This may happen if you have added an INI file in the Windows Installer format. When doing so, Windows Installer will handle and process separately and individually each INI key entry and each INI value from your INI file content.

However, I'm not sure if that is your case too.

In order for us to further investigate this, could you please forward me the following resources:

1. the .AIP (setup project) file
2. the full uninstallation log
3. a download link for your setup package

by email to support at advancedinstaller dot com?

Best regards,
Liviu

[leeroy]

Hi Liviu,

This is a private application, not publicly distributed, it might take me a bit to see if I can get this authorized and out to you.

Thanks,
Lee

[leeroy]

Hi Liviu,

We noticed that Advanced Installer 20.5 just came out and uninstalling Advanced Installer is also extremely slow, but other applications uninstall fine. We don't know where to find the logs for Advanced Installer, but figured that might be easier to debug.

Thanks,
Lee

[Liviu]

Hello Lee,

Unfortunately, I'm not able to reproduce this.

I have conducted multiple tests on various Windows 10 machines to uninstall Advanced Installer versions 20.4.1 and 20.5. Based on my tests, the uninstallation process took less than 20 seconds to complete.

Can you please send us the full uninstallation log and the Windows 10 version and build number? Are you able to reproduce this on multiple machines?

Also, If you cannot share with us your project file, then you can try to isolate the behavior in a buildable sample (.aip + its referenced files) which we can build and test on our side.

Best regards,
Liviu

[leeroy]

Hi Liviu,

Still working on getting the files requested.

I did reproduce this with the Advanced Installer 20.5 uninstaller. The log is attached this time. Also not all windows 10 machines behave this way and I'm not sure what makes these slower uninstall machines unique.

Machine details:
Processor: Intel(R) Xeon(R) E-2176M CPU @ 2.70GHz 2.71 GHz
Installed Ram: 64.0 GB (63.7 GB usable)
Edition Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
Version 22H2
OS build 19045.2788
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0

[Liviu]

Hello Lee,

In the uninstall log file that you sent I see a delay on the "ShortcutRemove" standard action between lines 6133 and 6173. This is a Windows Installer standard action which we do not have any control over and we could not improve. The delay appears during the MSI uninstallation.

However, I've submitted this scenario for test to our QA team, but they could not reproduce the delay either.

If you do a major upgrade, is the uninstall as slow? For example, when you have version 20.4.1 installed, you launch the 20.5 installer and choose "remove older versions" option.

It's possible that there is a unique factor at play on the machines where you're experiencing the issue. The issue could be related to the specific configuration of the machines, such as hardware differences, software installed on the machines, or other system components.

It's also possible that the machines experiencing the issue have higher resource utilization, which could be causing the ShortcutRemove custom action to take longer to complete. There could be environmental factors, such as network or disk performance issues, that are impacting the performance of the ShortcutRemove custom action on some machines.

You could try to identify the differences between the machines that experience the issue and those that do not. You could also check the Windows Event Viewer logs or other system logs to see if there are any errors or warnings related to the ShortcutRemove custom action or other system components that could be causing the issue.

However, as we have been unable to replicate the problem on our own machines or on a clean installation, it is difficult to provide a specific explanation for why this is happening.

Best regards,
Liviu

[leeroy]

Hi Liviu,

Thank you for the continued investigation. We'll keep monitoring this issue on our end and see if we can find any more information with the suggestions you provided.

Kind regards,
Lee

[Liviu]

You're always welcome, Lee!

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any further assistance.

Best regards,
Liviu