Executing a script file from a Windows Installer Custom Action

Question

I need to execute a batch file as part of the un-install process in a Windows installer project (standard OOTB VS 2008 installer project-vdproj). One cannot execute a bat f

Answer 1

The wider you need to distribute your application, the more strongly I would recommend against scripted custom actions. I had written a bunch in the past, but I found that too many computers have problems running VBScript or JavaScript. I ended up rewriting them all in C++ to handle this situation. Here are a couple of posts that give an in-depth explanation on why you should avoid scripted custom actions:

• VBScript (and Jscript) MSI CustomActions suck
• VBScript (and Jscript) MSI Custom Actions (don't have to) suck

Answer 2

I've run into this same problem and the issue is that you can't call WScript within the vbs file - you will need to JUST call CreateObject

ie.

Set WshShell = CreateObject( "WScript.Shell" )
command = "uninstall-windows-serivce.bat"
msgbox command
WshShell.Run ("cmd /C " & """" & command & """")
Set WshShell = Nothing

Answer 3

Windows Installer scripts generally run as System, unless you tell it otherwise. Is it possible that your batch file needs to be run by the interactive user?

Answer 4

In your installer class, are you overriding the Uninstall method:

 Public Overrides Sub Uninstall(ByVal savedState As System.Collections.IDictionary)
            MyBase.Uninstall(savedState)
           'Shell to batch file here
    End Sub

And secondly, have you qualified the full path to the batch file?

Answer 5

What worked for me was to specify the full path of the .bat file.

Answer 6

Have you checked that the batch file is in the current directory as seen by the script? I would add another message showing the directory it is using to ensure it is actually trying to execute the batch file where you think it is located.