Keeping UUID identical for the un-installation in the Windows registry

[zeonism]

Hi Support,

We came across an issue that the UUID used for uninstallation in the Windows Registry changes every time we build and install a new version of the same application.
The registry location is:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

We were wondering if the UUID under this location means the product code defined in the Advanced Installer?
Are we able to keep this UUID identical across the builds?

Andy

[Eusebiu]

Hi Andy and welcome to our forums.

Please keep in mind that this information is written there by a Windows Installer standard action which, indeed, uses the Product Code of the application that is different from a version to another (except for patches).

There is a workaround for this, but it has some disadvantages. The workaround is to select the "Override Windows installer programs list entry" option from the "Product Details" page, then follow the solution described in the "The scope of a firewall rule is set back to default after installing an update pack" thread.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[zeonism]

Hi Eusebiu,

Thanks for your quick reply.

The problem is even though we configure a certain UUID in the settings page, advanced installer never picks up while building the package.
For example, this is our AIP file content in regards to the product code:

<ROW Property="ProductCode" Value="1049:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 1041:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 1033:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 1036:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 1028:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 2052:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 1031:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 1040:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 1042:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} 3082:{DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717} " Type="16"/>

which is DDDCA93B-AEA9-4D36-851B-A7E6A0ADC717

After we build the package and install it we have found that Windows created something totally different from the UUID above under here:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

So are you saying if I follow your instruction Windows will use what we defined in the Advanced Installer? and what is the disadvantage you just mentioned?

Thanks so much for your help

Andy

[Eusebiu]

Hi Andy,

That row contains all the values that are assigned to the ProductCode property based on the installation language.

I'm not sure what you configured in Advanced Installer, but following the solution from the thread I mentioned will place those details under the same key that has the name of the application. The disadvantages are that you will have an EXE package, instead of an MSI package and that you will not be able to have side by side installs.

Best regards,
Eusebiu