Windows Home Server add-ins are brilliant, but not without their problems. At some point we have all been there - without thinking about it, it’s so easy to delete that little used add-in from the add-ins folder on your home server then kick ourselves for not uninstalling it properly via the WHS Console. Another common problem with add-ins is that an old version of an add-in won’t play nice and uninstall properly when a new version comes along. In these scenarios, what can you do?
Manually removing add-ins by editing the registry is a pain and may be beyond those who are not familiar with this kind activity.
The solution comes via Nick from Asoft, who brought us the delightful Asoft AutoExit for Windows Home Server, and has produced another invaluable tool in the form of the Asoft Addin Cleanup Tool.
Not only will this tool remove stalled add-ins from the registry it will also create a backup in case you delete the wrong add-in, what a fantastic tool
Installation is via remote desktop conenction to the WHS by placing the a copy of the file ‘addincleanup.exe’ into the folder c:program fileswindows home server. Once done I would suggest placing a shortcut to the tool on the server desktop.
Nick is very clear that this does not replace using the WHS Console to remove add-ins themselves. I am sure he is talking from extensive testing that using the tool to remove an add-in that is not hanging can cause ”a lot of misery”! However a backup of the registry is made at the time the addin is removed and can be found on the WHS under the folder c:tempaddinbackup_yyyy_MM_dd_hh_mm_ss.reg.
Download: Addin Cleanup Tool | Discuss
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