Visual Studio Setup Project MSI without Add/Remove entry

Question

I am using a Visual Studio Setup Project for deployment. This may sound like a no-no but I have a specific requirement for the uninstaller not to register in the Add/Remove Programs. Is there something I can do to prevent Setup from registering its uninstaller?

I am even prepared for an Orca-based solution if there is nothing better out there.

Answer 1

There are two approaches for this:

1. Set ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT property to 1. This way your product is not displayed in Control Panel. It is still however registered with Windows Installer.

2. Remove PublishFeatures, PublishProduct, RegisterProduct and RegisterUser actions from InstallExecuteSequence table. This way your product is not registered with Windows Installer, so it won't be shown in Control Panel.

If your product is not registered with Windows Installer, you cannot repair or uninstall it. So I recommend using ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT.