How to remove a program through Powershell?

Question

I want to create a function to remove a program through powershell. What I can't seem to figure out is how exactly to do that.

My code:

function RemoveProgram {
    $app = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {
        $_.Name -match $args
    }
    $app.Uninstall()
}

However, when I run this, I get

Method invocation failed because [Microsoft.Management.Infrastructure.CimInstance] does not contain a method named 'Uninstall'.

Does anyone have some tips on how to make it better?

the CIM cmdlets do not have a live connection to the data. it is by design. you need to invoke the method with Invoke-CimMethod OR switch back to using Get-WmiObject since it still has live connections to the data. — Lee_Dailey
– Lee_Dailey, Commented May 8, 2020 at 23:58
ah! then you likely otta put that info - and your PoSh version - in your Question. it is important ... [grin] — Lee_Dailey
– Lee_Dailey, Commented May 9, 2020 at 17:00

derekbaker783 · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-09 11:14:26Z

1

This code will work. It may take while to run though.

param(
    [string] $programToUninstall = "BlueJeans"    
)

function RemoveProgram([string] $program) {
    Invoke-CimMethod `
        -Query ('select * from Win32_Product where name like "%' + $program + '%"') `
        -MethodName "Uninstall" 
}

RemoveProgram -program $programToUninstall

answered May 9, 2020 at 11:14

derekbaker783

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1 Comment

js2010 Over a year ago

You can also pipe get-ciminstance to invoke-cimmethod.

js2010 · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-09 14:06:30Z

1

Powershell 5 and msi installs only. Win32_Product is msi only as well, and verifies every msi when it runs, which is why it's so slow.

function RemoveProgram {
  get-package *$args* | uninstall-package
}

edited May 9, 2020 at 14:06

answered May 9, 2020 at 13:56

js2010

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1 Comment

js2010 Over a year ago

@thewindowsnoob Maybe later. Right now PS 7 doesn't support msi or programs providers.

msshah · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-18 21:19:09Z

0

So I was actually able to find a way to do this without creating my own function. I used a module called ProgramManagement. https://github.com/pldmgg/ProgramManagement

Hope this helps and thanks to anyone who tried to help me solve this!

answered May 18, 2020 at 21:19

msshah

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