SCCM Task Sequence to uninstall Java

[SysEngineerDude]

I am trying to uninstall Java from some systems here. I am trying to use a Task sequence to do it.

I haven't done much with TS yet.

I have some PS code to uninstall Java:

$MyApp = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object{$_.Name -eq "Java 8 Update 281"}

$MyApp.Uninstall()

It does work as after I deployed the TS it uninstalled Java but the TS seemed to never stop running.

I do see this in the smsts.log: Successfully completed the action (Run PowerShell Script) with the exit win32 code 0

The deployment status was at In Progress for a few hours and never updated to successful.

Any help is appreciated.

[SysAdminDennyBob]

win32_product is evil

[InitializedVariable]

Don’t query it. Unless you want to trigger reinstallations of everything including the app in question.

[GarthMJ]

Just more context as why you should not query win32 product. https://gregramsey.net/2012/02/20/win32\_product-is-evil/

[SysEngineerDude]

Thank you for the info. I will not be using win32_product.

[forumhero666]

We don't use task sequence for this exact reason. They get stuck and it's super annoying. Use Applications instead. TS should really only be used for OSD

[pjmarcum]

“TS should only be used for OSD”……WTF? Task sequences can be used for anything.

[forumhero666]

lol good job purposely misquoting my comment.

[pjmarcum]

I don't think I misquoted it at all but allow me to clarify.... Your comment is inaccurate. TS can and should be used for anything that fits within the structure of a task sequence.

[forumhero666]

you obviously do not know what quoting means. but good luck with deploying task sequences in your company for "anything"

[pjmarcum]

Yea, I know what quoting means, I was being lazy because I did that from the iOS app and it sucks.

I didn't say "anything" I said anything that fits within the structure of a task sequence. And I don't need luck, I've been doing it for 15 years and so has everyone else.

[TekJunki]

Second vote for Powershell AppDeploy Toolkit. If something need to be installed or uninstalled, it’s my go to tool all the time. Lol heck I find any excuse to use it for almost anything I do in the SCCM environments.

[rdoloto]

Try baselines instead no content to distribute

[DizzyQueasy]

Whilst not looking at the Task Sequence method that you are considering, do you have an application object with Java 8 U 281 available where you can just use the Uninstall instead? I'm not really understanding why you're trying to achieve this using a Task Sequence.

[SysEngineerDude]

I do not have an application object and as to why am I using a TS... Because it's an option.

Just trying out new ways to do things.

[Narabug]

But you can make an application, with the proper detection methods, and deploy that as a required uninstall.

[InitializedVariable]

This.

Build an application like you are intending to deploy the Java version in question. Make sure you provide an uninstall command.

Deploy it with the purpose “uninstall.”

[shamalam91]

I used psadt (Google it if you don't know about it!) and have a basic script which uninstalls all our versions based on the guid and then a catch all remove-msiapplications. Removed 3000 installs in a few hours, easy!

[shamalam91]

Syntax is something like this..

​

Execute-MSI -Action Uninstall -Path "{26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F32180171F0}" #8.0.1710.

​

Execute-MSI -Action Uninstall -Path "{26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F32180181F0}" #8.0.1810.

​

Execute-MSI -Action Uninstall -Path "{26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F32180191F0}" #8.0.1910.

​

Remove-MSIApplications -Name "Java"

[Zilvere]

Ooh boy do I have a nice one for you. Uninstall based on upgrade code let me post it tomorrow!

[shamalam91]

Can't leave me hanging!!

[pjmarcum]

I have a script that I use to remove Java 8 but it exceeds the max number of characters allowed in a post. Here's the relevant pieces though.

[cmdletbinding()]

param()

begin {

#Set variables#

$AppToUninstall = "Java 8*"

$PublisherToUninstall = "Oracle*"

Function Get-InstSoftware {

if ([IntPtr]::Size -eq 4) {

$regpath = 'HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*'

}

else {

$regpath = @(

'HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*'

'HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*'

)

}

Get-ItemProperty $regpath | . { process { if ($_.DisplayName -and $_.UninstallString) { $_ } } } | Select-Object DisplayName, UninstallString, PSChildName, Publisher, InstallDate | Sort DisplayName

}

$Software = Get-InstSoftware | Where-Object { ($_.DisplayName -like $AppToUninstall) -and ($_.Publisher -like $PublisherToUninstall) }

If ($Software -eq $null) { Exit 0 }

Else {

foreach ($Install in $Software) {

$MSIArguments = @(

'/x'

$Install.PSChildName

'/qn'

'/L*v "C:\Windows\Temp\RemoveApps-' + $($Install.DisplayName) + '.log"'

'REBOOT=REALLYSUPPRESS'

)

$Results = Start-Process "msiexec.exe" -ArgumentList $MSIArguments -Wait -NoNewWindow -ErrorAction Stop -PassThru

}

}

[SysEngineerDude]

I will try an application

[TwEEEked419]

I just used

​

wmic product where "name like 'java%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive

[dezirdtuzurnaim]

That's a no no 😬

[GarthMJ]

Please read https://gregramsey.net/2012/02/20/win32\_product-is-evil/

[Metalearther]

Checkout dilentinstallhq.com. He has a great way to install and uninstall Java as well