Use uninstallation .INF files to uninstall custom components

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Caution

Update: The retired, out-of-support Internet Explorer 11 desktop application has been permanently disabled through a Microsoft Edge update on certain versions of Windows 10. For more information, see Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ.

The Internet Explorer Administration Kit 11 (IEAK 11) uses Setup information (.inf) files to provide installation instructions for your custom browser packages. You can also use this file to uninstall your custom components by removing the files, registry entries, and shortcuts, and adding your custom component to the list of programs that can be uninstalled from Uninstall or change a program.

To uninstall your custom components

  1. Open the Registry Editor and add a new key and value to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\app-name,"DisplayName",,"description"

    Where description is the string that’s shown in the Uninstall or change a program box.

  2. Add another new key and value to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\app-name,"UninstallString”",,"command-line"

    Where command-line is the command that’s run when the component is picked from the Uninstall or change a program box.

Your uninstall script must also remove your key from under the Uninstall registry key, so that your component no longer appears in the Uninstall or change a program after uninstallation. You can also run just a section of an .inf file by using the Setupx.dll InstallHinfSection entry point. To make this work, your installation script must copy the .inf file to the Windows\Inf folder for your custom component.