How to Uninstall Applications in Configuration Manager

 

Updated: May 14, 2015

Applies To: System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1, System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP2, System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager, System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager SP1

Perform the following steps to uninstall an application by using Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager:

  • Specify the command line to uninstall the deployment type content on the Content page of the Create Deployment Type Wizard.

  • Deploy the application by using a deployment action of Uninstall.

Important

Some application types do not support uninstallation.

The following list gives more information about the application uninstall behavior:

  • When you uninstall a Configuration Manager application, the dependent applications are not automatically uninstalled.

  • If you deploy an application that uses an action of Uninstall to a user, and the application was installed for all users of the computer, then the uninstall might fail if the user’s account does not have permissions to uninstall the application.

  • If you remove a user or device from a collection that has an application deployed to it, the application will not be automatically removed from the device.

  • A deployment with the deployment purpose of Uninstall does not check requirement rules. If the application is installed on the computer on which the deployment runs, it will be uninstalled.

Important

You must delete any existing deployments or simulated deployments of an application to a collection before you can deploy the application with a deployment action of Uninstall.

For more information about how to create a deployment type, see How to Create Applications in Configuration Manager.

For more information about how to deploy an application, see How to Deploy Applications in Configuration Manager.

To uninstall an application

  1. Configure the application deployment type with the uninstall command line by using one of the following methods:

    - On the **General** page of the **Create Deployment Wizard**, select the option **Automatically identify information about this deployment type from installation files**. If the information is available in the installation files, the uninstall command line is automatically added to the deployment type properties.
    
    - On the **Content** page of the **Create Deployment Type Wizard**, in the **Uninstall program** field, specify the command line to uninstall the application.
    
      <div class="alert">
    
    
      > [!NOTE]
      > <P>The <STRONG>Content</STRONG> page is displayed only if you select the option <STRONG>Manually specify the deployment type information</STRONG> on the <STRONG>General</STRONG> page of the <STRONG>Create Deployment Type Wizard</STRONG>.</P>
    
    
      </div>
    
    - In the **Programs** tab of the *\<deployment type name\>* **Properties** dialog box specify the command line to uninstall the application in the **Uninstall program** field.
    
  2. Deploy the application and select the deployment action Uninstall from the Deployment Settings page of the Deploy Software Wizard.

    Note

    When you select a deployment action of Uninstall, the deployment purpose is automatically configured as Required.