Adobe FlashPlayer 9.0.115 via MSI doesn't really uninstall
A bit of background: In production, whenever we deploy an application, we always have to know what the rollback plan will be, in case we need it. We've been burned too many times by "it's just a minor update" to take nothing for granted anymore.
After downloading the .MSI version of 9.0.115.0 (Go to http://www.adobe.com/licensing to Apply for a license--it's the same place you go to signup/get the .CAB file for use with SMS' ITCU) In testing the uninstall of 9.0.115, I found that although the entry would be removed from Add or Remove Programs, the registry keys, files, and more importantly, IE would still be using version 9.0.115. And attempts to install 9.0.47 (there may have been multiple intermediate releases, but 9.0.47 was the one we deployed last) failed. I also noticed that 9.0.115 wouldn't upgrade from 9.0.47--both were still listed in Add/Remove Programs; although only 9.0.115 was in use.
In research, I found two things were required to really do what I expected an MSI installation/uninstallation do to:
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when uninstalling from Add or Remove Programs, actually uninstall 9.0.115
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allow for an older version to be installed after 9.0.115 has been uninstalled
To really uninstall it, you had to either use multiple SUBINACL to fix permissions on multiple regkeys and files, or just use the Adobe provided "uninstall_flash_player.exe", (Google for that name, or it's Adobe doc 14157). To allow for an older version to be installed, you had to delete this regkey: HKLM\Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer\SafeVersions\9.0
If you've already deployed the .MSI, just keep the above in mind for the next release--if you find it won't upgrade/uninstall 9.0.115, you may need to script a solution. If you haven't yet deployed 9.0.115, AND you know all about transforms, stay tuned. I'll blog 'what I did' to the Transform to make the MSI upgrade from 9.0.47, really uninstall flash, and clear that regkey. (It's not pretty, I'm sure a real packager would do it better/correctly, but it works.)
Teasers:
Part 1 of 3: How to really uninstall Adobe FlashPlayer 9.0.115, the redistributable MSI (this entry)
Part 2 of 3: Customizing the .MSI so it'll really uninstall (tomorrow)
Part 3 of 3: If you use ITCU, delivering your customized Flash Player.msi + .mst via ITCU. (next day)