Calibre does not do a clean uninstall / cannot modify config on reinstall

[leitz]

The first time I install Calibre 64bit, it ask me for what device, location of calibre library, there is an Advanced button to configure settings, during the setup process.

When I uninstall Calibre from my computer, I right click a html file, Open With, Choose Default Program, More Options, I can still see "Calibre e-book viewer", "Calibre e-book editor", "Calibre main program" on the list. This is issue #1. Calibre did not remove entries in the system registry completely. I no longer have the Calibre software on my computer and the Calibre entries should not be there. Applies to any file extention (html, htm, epub, pdf etc) that Calibre can open with.

When I reinstall Calibre back, it did not ask me for what device, location of calibre library and no chance to click the Advanced button, the setup would just install Calibre right away using previous setup settings. This is issue #2. The uninstall of Calibre did not remove setup settings/configuration completely. If I no longer want Calibre then all things relating to Calibre should be removed. If I want Calibre again, then I should be given the opportunity to set what device, location of library etc.

Would be nice if Calibre do a complete uninstall when it is removed from the computer.

Edit: Also, I deleted the Calibre Library folder manually after I uninstall Calibre. When I reinstall Calibre back, as mentioned, I do not get the opportunity to name the folder or specify the location of the folder, Calibre create the Calibre Library back to where it was previously but there is no sample epub anymore. Originally, there is a sample epub in the Calibre Library folder which I believe is a guide or something.

[kovidgoyal]

Uninstalling does not remove config settings, nor does it delete your ebooks. That is by design and is not going to change. Uninstalling undoes only and exactly what installing does. Namely, program files and start menu/desktop shortcuts.

And file association entries in the registry are created by individual users, not the installer. They are in the the user hive of the registry, not the system hive, so a system level uninstaller should not be removing them. Once again, uninstall removes only what install creates.

[eschwartz]

@Kovid -- if calibre creates Open With associations, I am thinking of the new code for Windows 8 , should those be removed by the uninstaller? They get automatically created on calibre's launch IIRC.

@leitz -- In general, if I want to remove a program under Windows, I would use RevoUninstaller, which offers to delete any/selected registry keys and configuration data from wherever it finds it, system or user areas.

I have rarely seen the program that didn't leave something where it shouldn't. This is less of a problem on Linux, where the package installer indexes every file an installation creates. Maybe Microsoft will finally do the same someday...

[leitz]

First off, Calibre is a fabulous software, absolutely love it.

I am using Calibre 64 bit on windows 8.1.

It is a good idea that Calibre does not remove the user ebooks and thus the need to retain the Calibre library folder.

The points I mentioned earlier and below are for perfectionist, Calibre works, it is not a big thing but a perfectionist would want to a perfect software.

1. Open With
The screen below shows the "Open With" has the "Calibre e-book viewer", "Calibre e-book editor", "Calibre main program" on the list. This is with Calibre installed. If I uninstall Calibre, these entries are still on the list. It should not remain on the list, that is what is meant by Calibre not doing a clean uninstall.

2. Cannot perform custom installation on second and subsequent installations
Calibre will be more flexible if the user can customized the setup on second and subsequent installations. The customizations that are no longer allowed are clicking the Advanced button for further customization, specifyig the Calibre folder name, location etc.

[leitz]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

@leitz -- In general, if I want to remove a program under Windows, I would use RevoUninstaller, which offers to delete any/selected registry keys and configuration data from wherever it finds it, system or user areas.

I have rarely seen the program that didn't leave something where it shouldn't. This is less of a problem on Linux, where the package installer indexes every file an installation creates. Maybe Microsoft will finally do the same someday...

Will keep RevoUninstaller in mind. In the old days, some software will not remove the desktop shortcut when the software is uninstalled. At least Calibre removed all that but it did not remove the "Open With" entries when Calibre is uninstalled. Calibre also did not remove the config settings when it is uninstalled. It should at least ask the user, like Norton Security, if the user wants to remove the config settings completely or leave the config settings for a future reinstall. If a person decides not to have Calibre anymore, the only way to remove Calibre completely from the system is to reformat the hard disc/reinstall Windows.

[exaltedwombat]

Originally Posted by leitz

If a person decides not to have Calibre anymore, the only way to remove Calibre completely from the system is to reformat the hard disc/reinstall Windows.

That's not really true. Calibre's registry settings are not disguised.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by leitz

If a person decides not to have Calibre anymore, the only way to remove Calibre completely from the system is to reformat the hard disc/reinstall Windows.

I think we are being a bit drama queen, aren't we? I can uninstall calibre, remove library and config directory and, if I have associated some extension to calibre, make a bit of registry cleaning. Not rocket science, I believe.

Furthermore, if you want to define again the settings after installing it again, you have an option inside calibre to do it.

[leitz]

Originally Posted by exaltedwombat

That's not really true. Calibre's registry settings are not disguised.

1. Open With
The screen below shows the "Open With" has the "Calibre e-book viewer", "Calibre e-book editor", "Calibre main program" on the list. This is with Calibre installed. If I uninstall Calibre, these entries are still on the list. It should not remain on the list, that is what is meant by Calibre not doing a clean uninstall.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

@Kovid -- if calibre creates Open With associations, I am thinking of the new code for Windows 8 , should those be removed by the uninstaller? They get automatically created on calibre's launch IIRC.

No, it cannot. That is exactly what I was talking about. The uninstaller can only remove stuff created by the installer. Not by the program. In fact, since the installer/un-installer have to run as the system account, while the program itself runs as one (or more) user accounts, they would have to scan every user account on the machine to remove files/registry entries created by the actual program. That can be very slow, and error prone, and is not recommended in the official Microsoft documentation for their installer subsystem.

[kovidgoyal]

@leitz: Once again, file associations are not created by the installer. If you want to remove all file association information created by calibre, you will need to run (as the user account which you use calibre under) before running the uninstaller.

calibre-debug --default-programs unregister

[leitz]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

I think we are being a bit drama queen, aren't we? I can uninstall calibre, remove library and config directory and, if I have associated some extension to calibre, make a bit of registry cleaning. Not rocket science, I believe.

Furthermore, if you want to define again the settings after installing it again, you have an option inside calibre to do it.

If you uninstall Calibre, even if you decide to change the registry yourself, you do not know which registry entry to change, and risk damaging your system registry.

If a software does a clean install, it will remove all entries associated with the software. As described earlier, Calibre isn't removing all entries and as such Calibre is not doing a clean install.

I love Calibre for the wonderful things it does, I'm sure you'll love Calibre as well, but it is clear that Calibre is not doing a clean install, there is no need to defend it blindly and play drama queen.

[leitz]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

@leitz: Once again, file associations are not created by the installer. If you want to remove all file association information created by calibre, you will need to run (as the user account which you use calibre under) before running the uninstaller.

calibre-debug --default-programs unregister

Ok, I'll take your word for it. There is no need to remove because I'm still using calibre. It is a good software.

After installing Calibre, I opened certain a pdf file, windows 8 would prompt "there is new program available" (something like that) and ask me if I want to change the default program. Happens to many file types, Word file as well.

Let it be then.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

No, it cannot. That is exactly what I was talking about. The uninstaller can only remove stuff created by the installer. Not by the program. In fact, since the installer/un-installer have to run as the system account, while the program itself runs as one (or more) user accounts, they would have to scan every user account on the machine to remove files/registry entries created by the actual program. That can be very slow, and error prone, and is not recommended in the official Microsoft documentation for their installer subsystem.

OK, thanks for the info.

The decision to create registry associations at runtime rather than install time is a little interesting TBH... by which I mean I haven't really seen it before.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

OK, thanks for the info.

The decision to create registry associations at runtime rather than install time is a little interesting TBH... by which I mean I haven't really seen it before.

Yeah, complain to Microsoft. There is no way to register for file associations without also becoming the default program for file types that dont have a current default program during installation using the microsoft installer tech. Therefore, it has to be done after installation.

So the unusual choice is actually me trying to be nice and not make calibre the default program for any filetypes without explicit user action. But hey, if you know of a way to register for default programs without becoming the actual default program during installation, patches are most welcome. I will be delighted to move that functionality into the installer, where it properly belongs.

[leitz]

dud---