It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:26 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Forum rules


Before posting a bug report or a feature request, search the forum for an older post on the same topic. If you are reporting a crash, try capturing a crash dump. You can find instructions here: How to capture crash dumps



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:54 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:33 am
Posts: 2
Hi everybody,

I'm using Windows 8 64-Bit. I have a problem when trying to uninstall or upgrade classic shell:

- Everytime I try to uninstall classic shell using the windows uninstaller, a message appears "The configuration files for this product are damaged. Please contact the support".


- I downloaded the old version 3.6.6 and tried to run setup again, but there was no option to uninstall and when starting the installation again, a message appears that the old version of the programm cannot be removed.


- I downloaded the lates release and tried to update, but the same message appears: "The older version of classic shell cannot be removed. Contact your technical support group".


I deleted all registry keys regarding "classic shell" and "classicshell". Then I deleted the installation folder. I got other error messages and was not able to upgrade. I also tried the hint inside the F.A.Q and tried some command line options.


Any Ideas how I can completely uninstall or upgrade the product ??


Thanks!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 8:59 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:38 pm
Posts: 5333
This is what normally works for people: http://www.classicshell.net/faq/#install_repair
However after you messed with the registry all bets are off. The OS thinks the software is installed but the state is damaged so it can't uninstall it. There used to be software in the old days called TweakUI that was able to remove software from the install list without actually uninstalling any files. But I don't know if there's something that can work on Windows 8.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:23 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:38 am
Posts: 5374
First, before trying this, try to download the installer of the version you have installed and see if can be removed. If despite running the installer of the version of Classic Shell you have, it can't be uninstalled, then read ahead.This is a Windows Installer issue (system related). It can happen with any other software that uses Windows Installer, not just Classic Shell, nor something that is caused by Classic Shell, but due to the installation system it uses.


There used to be an unsupported tool by Microsoft for cleaning up partially uninstalled Windows Installer-based applications called Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. Download this tool from here (link is dead): http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/MSI-cleanup-utility-3889c8db/file/55314/1/msicuu2.exe but Softpedia has it at http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Windows-Installer-CleanUp-Utility.shtml, install it and open it. Note that you must install and run Windows Installer Cleanup Utility as administrator (with elevated rights). Be careful with the use of this tool. It should list all applications on your system which use Windows Installer including some version of Classic Shell. Select Classic Shell in that list (and make sure you don't select any other product) and click "Remove". Let it remove and then click Exit.
Now try installing the latest version of Classic Shell and it should work. If no version of Classic Shell appears in Windows Installer Cleanup utility, exit the tool without doing anything and remove the tool from Programs and Features.


Also, note this tool is recommended only for your convenience. Classic Shell does not bear responsibility for Windows related issues or anything that may happen from the use of third party tools we recommend for troubleshooting.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

Compare Start Menus

Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 1:32 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:33 am
Posts: 2
Hi,

thanks to both for the information!

I tried the recommended steps from Ivo regarding the cmd-options before - no success.

The recommendation from GauravK helped! I was able to uninstall and to install the latest version - Thank you!

The Microsoft -tool was not ready for the installation under Windows 8 - but using the compatibility mode it works.

Thanks you all,

Regards
F.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:56 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:32 am
Posts: 1
Location: UK
Same irritating problem here fixed with the msi cleanup tool.
This tool however is no longer available at the link in the post above it has been removed by Microsoft.

I found several places the tool is available and used this link at softpedia
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/S ... lity.shtml
Because it is the least prone to misleading spam links and unwanted downloads - cnet is dire these days.

That worked fine and allowed me to finally upgrade v3.6.2 to v3.8 after a lot of wasted time and aggravation - it also appears to go straight into Windows 8 64 (not the 8.1 version) without issue and run fine.

As a matter of interest I am a system builder and a certified geek, I have recommended / pre / post installed Classic Start (with an exhortation to make a donation probably wasted but I tried) for 90% of my clients who are largely thrilled with classic start (if indeed they notice it - they sure as hell notice the start screen if I leave Win8 as standard). I have also had a number of frustrated and really angry users in some cases cursing me for this uninstallation error / upgrade issue which I can understand, they have better things to do and no clue how to fix it anyway. Even with my experience it has taken a few hours of faffing about(which I am not getting paid for either) to find this fix after trying all sorts of stuff

so ..................................

This issue is out there and affects some percentage of users who are potential donors and probably eventually paying customers, can I suggest that this thread is pinned, clearly labled as a probable fix for the cannot install / upgrade issue and linked on your sourceforge homepage with instructions.

Thanks

Jonah


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 7:36 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 7:32 pm
Posts: 1
Regarding the suggestion to use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.

Have been having all kinds of trouble trying to update from 3.6.8 to 4.0.2
tried all other fixes on forum, finally found this today and works perfectly for me.
Agree with jonah above that this should be pinned as a fix, made an account here just to thank you guys for your suggestions
hopefully others find this useful and it saves a lot of time as classic shell is a need for any windows 8 pc


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:58 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:41 pm
Posts: 1
I'm unable to upgrade to 4.0.2. I have windows 8 and I consistently get an error telling me this program can't run on this system and to talk to the developer(s). Is this the same issue? Am I going to go to MS, find an outdated file to completely remove this version, then try to install 4.0.2 - or just settle for never updating this nice program?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 1:40 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 1:44 pm
Posts: 1996
classic shell is definitely compatible with windows 8/8.1, so this MAY be applicable to you, have you tried regularly uninstalling trough windows add/remove programs menu?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 9:13 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:38 pm
Posts: 5333
An error like "this program can't run" often means the download is corrupted. Try downloading the installer again.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:44 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:41 am
Posts: 1
For those having problem to uninstall classicshell, go to:
http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/

Install classicshell utility, it will remove classic shell very efficiently

Best


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:40 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:35 am
Posts: 1
Just want to add another solution.

I was having a similar problem but with no error message. The progress bar just wouldn't move. This worked for me: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id- ... l#16123574


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 27 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group, Almsamim WYSIWYG Classic Shell © 2010-2016, Ivo Beltchev.
All right reserved.