Master Client Uninstall: Command Prompt Essentials

Learn to uninstall a client via Command Prompt: navigate, execute, check logs, delete files, edit registry, and reboot for a fresh start!

Decoge

Feb 19, 2025 1 min read

Summary

This guide walks you through the process of manually uninstalling a client using the command prompt. It covers the essential steps needed to ensure a complete removal, including checking logs and deleting specific files and folders.

Highlights

🖥️ Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Start by accessing the command prompt with administrative privileges.
📂 Navigate to CCM Setup Folder: Go to the C:\Windows\CCMSetup folder to locate the CCMSetup.exe file.
🛠️ Run Uninstall Command: Execute the uninstallation command using CCMSetup.exe /uninstall.
📝 Check Logs for Troubleshooting: Review the CCMSetup.log and clientmsi.log for any errors or confirmations of a successful uninstallation.
🗑️ Delete Residual Files and Folders: Remove the CCM, CCMStartup, and CCMCache folders, along with specific SMS configuration files if present.
🔧 Registry Editing: Access the registry editor to delete entries related to CCM and SMS if they exist.
⚙️ Use PowerShell for WMI Namespace: Run specific PowerShell commands to delete WMI namespaces associated with the old client.
🔄 Reboot for Good Measure: It's recommended to reboot the machine after completing all steps to ensure a clean slate.

Key Insights

💡 Log Monitoring: Monitoring logs like CCMSetup.log is crucial for verifying the success of the uninstallation process.
⏱️ Time Consideration: The uninstallation process can take around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the machine configuration.
⚠️ Troubleshooting: If issues persist, consider using wbemtest to manually delete problematic WMI objects.

Thank you for following along with this comprehensive guide on manually uninstalling the client. Remember to follow each step carefully to ensure a thorough removal.