====== How to Uninstall Software via Command Line (Windows) ======

Uninstalling software via the Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell is an efficient way to manage applications, especially when the "Apps & Features" GUI is unresponsive or when you need to automate the process via scripting.

===== Prerequisites =====

  * **Administrator Privileges:** You must run CMD or PowerShell as an **Administrator**.
  * **Process Termination:** Ensure the application and its background processes are closed.
  * **Installation Type:** Determine if the app was installed via an MSI/EXE installer or if it is a "Portable" version.

===== Method 1: Using WMIC (Standard) =====

The Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) is the most common method for identifying and removing software by name.

==== 1. Identify the Software Name ====
To see the exact name of the software as registered in the system, run:
<code>
wmic product get name
</code>

==== 2. Execute Uninstall ====
Use the following syntax (using **MobaXterm** as an example):
<code>
wmic product where "name like 'MobaXterm%%'" call uninstall
</code>
//Note: The %% acts as a wildcard. Confirm the action by pressing **Y** when prompted.//

===== Method 2: Using MSIExec (For MSI Packages) =====

If the software was installed using a Windows Installer (.msi) package, it is best removed using its unique **Product GUID**.

==== 1. Find the Product GUID ====
List all installed products and their identifying numbers:
<code>
wmic product get name, identifyingnumber
</code>

==== 2. Execute Uninstall ====
Once you have the GUID (e.g., ''{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}''), run:
<code>
msiexec /x {YOUR-GUID-HERE} /qn
</code>
  * **/x**: Uninstall command.
  * **/qn**: "Quiet" mode (no UI interaction).

===== Method 3: Using PowerShell (Modern Approach) =====

PowerShell is more robust for Windows 10 and 11. It can often find packages that WMIC misses.

<code>
powershell -command "Get-Package -Name 'SoftwareName*' | Uninstall-Package"
</code>

**Example for MobaXterm:**
<code>
powershell -command "Get-Package -Name 'MobaXterm*' | Uninstall-Package"
</code>

===== Method 4: Using Winget (Windows Package Manager) =====

If you have **Winget** installed (standard on modern Windows 10/11), this is the cleanest method.

==== 1. Search for the App ====
<code>
winget list "Software Name"
</code>

==== 2. Uninstall ====
<code>
winget uninstall "MobaXterm"
</code>

===== Method 5: Portable Applications =====

Portable software (like **MobaXterm Portable**) does not appear in the system's "Installed Programs" list because it doesn't write to the registry.

To "uninstall" these:
  - Close the application.
  - Manually delete the folder containing the executable (e.g., ''C:\Tools\MobaXterm\'').
  - Clean up user-specific data in ''%AppData%'' or ''%LocalAppData%'' if necessary.

===== Troubleshooting =====

^ Issue ^ Solution ^
| **Error: 1605** | This action is only valid for products that are currently installed. Check if the GUID is correct. |
| **Access Denied** | Right-click CMD/PowerShell and select "Run as Administrator". |
| **App still running** | Use ''taskkill /f /im processname.exe'' to force close the app before uninstalling. |

**References:**
  * [[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wmic|Microsoft WMIC Documentation]]
  * [[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/|Winget Tool Documentation]]