WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment, Version 6.0.x     Operating Systems: AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, Windows

Manually uninstalling on a Windows system

Uninstall a WebSphere Application Server product from a Windows system by running the uninstaller program and performing some manual steps to remove log files and registry entries. Such registry entries can prevent you from reinstalling the product into the original directory. If you are not planning to reinstall, you do not have to uninstall manually.

Before you begin

Why and when to perform this task

Identifier Directory Actual location
app_server_root C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer  
profile_root C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer\profiles  
plugins_root C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere\Plugins  

[Windows]If you move either installation root directory, move them to a shorter path name. Some Windows systems have a length restriction of 258 characters for a command. A problem can occur that prevents the successful creation of a profile when either path is too long. The maximum length for the installation root directory is 60 characters. The maximum length for the profiles installation root directory is 80 characters.

The Installation wizard and the Profile Creation wizard let you specify your own locations for installation root directories. Examine the following files to determine the actual locations:
  • The %USERPROFILE%\.WASRegistry file identifies the installation root for all installed WebSphere Application Server products.
  • The app_server_root\logs\wasprofile\wasprofile_create_profile_name.log file for each created profile identifies the installation location in the stanza with the <method>invokeWSProfile</method> tag.

Steps for this task

  1. Log on with a user ID that belongs to the administrator group.
  2. Stop any browsers and any Java processes related to WebSphere Application Server products, as described in Uninstalling the product.
  3. Issue the uninstall command.
    app_server_root\_uninst\uninstall
  4. Verify that you have an Emergency Recovery Disk. Instructions for creating this disk are in the Windows help documentation.

    This step is a safeguard. This procedure does not require the recovery disk.

  5. Use the regback.exe program from the Windows Resource Kit to back up the registry.

    This step is a safeguard. This procedure does not require the backup copy of the registry.

  6. Delete product registry entries for the WebSphere Application Server product that you are uninstalling.

    Edit the Windows system registry by invoking theregedit.exe command from a command prompt.

    Handle the Registry with care
    Note: You can easily make a mistake while using the registry editor to view and edit registry contents. The editor does not warn you of editing errors, which can be extremely dangerous. A corrupt registry can disrupt your system to the point where your only option is to reinstall the Windows operating system.
    1. Press Ctrl-F to search for all instances of WebSphere to determine whether you should delete each entry. You might not be able to remove all of the entries related to WebSphere Application Server, which is not a problem.
    2. Expand and select keys related to WebSphere Application Server products.
      Delete the following keys for the WebSphere Application Server product:
      • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ MenuOrder\ Start Menu\ Programs\ IBM WebSphere\ Application Server Network Deployment v6.x
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\IBM\ WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment\ 6.x.x.x
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\ IBM\ Web server Plug-ins for IBM WebSphere Application Server\ 6.x.x.x
    3. Click Edit > Delete from the menu bar for each related key.
    4. Click Yes when asked to confirm deletion of the key.
    5. Click Registry > Exit from the menu bar when you are finished.
  7. Delete the installation root directory for the product that you are uninstalling.
  8. Determine all of the profile directories and remove the directories.
  9. Open a Windows Explorer window and browse to the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\IBM WebSphere directory.

    If you have one installation of a WebSphere Application Server product, delete the following folder:

    Application Server Network Deployment v6.x
  10. Delete the %WINDIR%\IsUninst.exe file.
  11. Edit the vpd.properties file.

    The file is located in the installation directory of the operating system, such as the C:\WINNT directory or the C:\windows directory.

    Do not delete or rename the vpd.properties file because the InstallShield for MultiPlatforms (ISMP) program uses it for other products that it installs. If the WebSphere Application Server product that you are uninstalling is the only product with entries in the vpd.properties file, you can delete this file.

  12. Edit the .WASRegistry file.

    The file location is the home directory of the user ID who installed the product, %USERPROFILE%\.WASRegistry.

    C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer
    C:\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer
    C:\ExpressV6\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer
    C:\ND_Install_9_25_2005_build\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer
    C:\Express_09_25_2005\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer
  13. Restart your machine if a prompt displays that directs you to restart.

Result

What to do next

Go to Task overview: Installing to begin planning a new installation.




Related tasks
Uninstalling manually

Task topic    

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Last updated: Dec 11, 2005 4:07:15 PM CST
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