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\->Tips and Tricks->Tools->Add/Remove Programs (ARP) Applet / Software Explorer

Add/Remove Programs (ARP) Applet / Software Explorer

Most installers (including Windows Installer) will add their programs into the list displayed by the add/remove applet (known as "Software Explorer" in Vista+).

Some programs set up shortcuts to uninstall their application (so you don't need to use this applet for uninstallation), however they normally don't provide shortcuts for repair or reconfiguration. The "Uninstall Shortcuts" section shows how to create shortcuts for uninstallation or maintenance.

Installs which are per-machine will appear in the list of software for all users while per-user installs will appear only for those users which have installed the product.

Note that uninstalls initiated from this applet run at a reduced UI and as as far I know there is nothing you can do about this.

Add/Remove Programs Applet - Win2000/WinXP (pre Vista)

This is a standard utility installed by windows and to start it choose "StartSettingsControl PanelAdd or Remove Programs". It looks like:

Software Explorer - Vista+

In Vista+ the add/remove applet is known as "Software Explorer", the Windows Installer Team blog has some good information available.

The applet looks like this:

ARP* Properties - Configuration

The support information and almost everything about this information is configurable. The following table tells you the native Windows Installer configuration as well as that that the "COMPANY.MMH" framework provides, at times you may clash however MAKEMSI should not prevent you being able to set the exact value you wish.

Add/Remove
Feature		 Configured By
Comments ARPCOMMENTS / "COMPANY_PROPERTY_ARPCOMMENTS" macro
Contact ARPCONTACT / "COMPANY_CONTACT_NAME" macro
Help Telephone ARPHELPTELEPHONE / "COMPANY_CONTACT_NAME_PHONE" macro
Hide Entry ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT
Icon ARPPRODUCTICON / "COMPANY_PRODUCT_ICON" macro
Name ProductName / The "ProductName" keyword in the product section of the version file
Version ProductVersion / Version is based on or comes from the first entry in the version history in the version file
Product Updates ARPURLUPDATEINFO / "COMPANY_ARP_URL_APPLICATION_UPDATE_INFORMATION" macro
Publisher Manufacturer / "COMPANY_PROPERTY_MANUFACTURER" macro / "DEPT_PROPERTY_MANUFACTURER" macro
Publisher/Product URL ARPURLINFOABOUT / "COMPANY_ARP_URL_PUBLISHER" macro
ReadMe ARPREADME / "COMPANY_WANT_TO_INSTALL_DOCUMENTATION" macro
Support Information ARPHELPLINK / "COMPANY_ARP_URL_TECHNICAL_SUPPORT" macro

Microsoft awarded me an MVP (Most Valuable Professional award) in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 for the Windows SDK (Windows Installer) area.Please email me any feedback, additional information or corrections.
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Microsoft awarded me an MVP (Most Valuable Professional award) in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 for the Windows SDK (Windows Installer) area.