Uninstalling Patches. 1

[mnt25]

Hello Everyone,

I have been trying to figure out the best approach to uninstalling patches (ex: KB823559 ) that were distributed using SMS' Distribute Software Update Wizard".

According to the "Patch Management Using Microsoft Systems Management Server – Solution Guide” found on Microsoft.com
“the distribute software updates wizard does not provide an uninstall mechanism as part of its functionality. In order to uninstall such patches, the program defined by the patch for removal must be advertised and run on client computers. Most MS patches will have the –y or /y flag to uninstall the patch.”

However, I have not gotten this to work (for KB823559) even though an uninstall (-y /y) switch is supposedly supported. I noticed that for a select number of hotfixes an uninstall exe (spuninst.exe) is created in a folder ($NtUninstallQ823559$). My question is if there is a unified program (like update.exe,hotfix.exe) with unified switches for all Microsoft patches/hotfixes that are rolled out?

I am sure there are others who have had similiar situations for uninstalling patches.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[RodTrent]

Probably the best way to uninstall these, is to first query the Add/Remove registry key. Each patch will install an uninstall path in this registry key. You can use the uninstall information to remove the patch.

Rod Trent
Microsoft.MVP.SMS
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Main site:

http://www.myITforum.com

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[mnt25]

Thanks. After I created a query via Add/Remove Programs to search for 824105, I got all my machines listed. However, I am not clear as to what you meant by "you can use the uninstall information to remove the patch" ?

Recently, I created a batch file with the following command
cd %systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB824105$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

I placed the spuninst.exe relating to the 824105 fix in the same package source folder as the batch file . When the spuninst.exe was left out it didn't work properly. I ran it with administrative rights using the software distribution account. I am getting advertisement errors (something about error code 1).

I'm not sure what to do.
Matt

 

[RodTrent]

Maybe the HotFix.exe utility could help:

http://www.myitforum.com/articles/20/view.asp?id=5898

Rod Trent
Microsoft.MVP.SMS
=======================================
Main site:

http://www.myITforum.com

=======================================