Specifying Whether a Component’s Files and Other Associated Data Are Uninstalled During Uninstallation

InstallShield 2020

Project:This information applies to the following project types:

Basic MSI
DIM
InstallScript
InstallScript MSI
InstallScript Object
Merge Module
MSI Database
MSM Database
Transform

You may need to ensure that a component’s files, registry entries, shortcuts, and other data are not uninstalled when end users uninstall your product. Following are examples of scenarios where it may be appropriate to ensure that a component’s data are not uninstalled:

You want to prevent the uninstallation of files that may be used by other products.
The component contains a font.
The component is being installed to [SystemFolder]. According to validation rules, if a component is installed to this location, it should not be uninstalled during uninstallation.

The setting that controls whether the component’s data are uninstalled depends on which project type you are using.

To specify whether a component’s files, registry entries, and other data are uninstalled:

1. In the Setup Design view (installation projects only) or the Components view, select the component that you want to configure. InstallShield displays its settings in the right pane.
2. In Basic MSI, DIM, InstallScript MSI, Merge Module, MSI Database, MSM Database, and Transform projects—Configure the Permanent setting as appropriate:
If the component data should not be uninstalled when end users uninstall the product, select Yes.
If the component data should be uninstalled, select No.

In InstallScript and InstallScript Object projects—Configure the Uninstall setting as appropriate:

If the component data should not be uninstalled when end users uninstall the product, select No.
If the component data should be uninstalled, select Yes.

The Permanent and Uninstall settings apply to all types of data that are associated with a component. This includes files, registry entries, shortcuts, XML file changes, and SQL scripts.