Microsoft KB Archive/300540

= PRB: Multiple Entries in the Add/Remove Programs Utility After a Windows Installer Update =

Article ID: 300540

Article Last Modified on 10/2/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Installer 1.0
 * Microsoft Windows Installer 1.1
 * Microsoft Windows Installer 1.2

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This article was previously published under Q300540



SYMPTOMS
After updating or upgrading a Windows Installer package (.msi file) you may find that you have multiple entries for that application in the Add/Remove Programs (ARP) utility in Control Panel. This article described how to prevent this event from occurring.



CAUSE
The cause of the multiple entries in the ARP utility is incorrect or missing values in the .msi package. The most prevalent causes are an incorrect change or mismatch of the:
 * ProductCode - The ProductCode is a GUID that is used as the principal identification of an application or product. -or-


 * UpgradeCode - The UpgradeCode is a GUID that is used in the Upgrade Table that identifies a related set of products and can be used to search for related versions of the product that are already installed.



RESOLUTION
The following table summarizes the most common causes of multiple entries in the ARP utility for each type of update/upgrade, as well as the steps to take to avoid the problem.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
For further information on how to create a successful small update or minor or major upgrade, see &quot;Patching and Upgrades&quot; in Windows Installer Platform SDK Help:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/hh/msi/updat_1po3.asp

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
The following steps will reproduce the problem of duplicate ARP entries.

Small Update or Minor Upgrade
 Create your first .msi package and install it. Create the updated second .msi package and change the ProductCode so that it is different from that of the first .msi package. From the command line run:

msiexec /I   REINSTALL=ALL REINSTALLMODE=vomus

Check the ARP utility and you will see duplicate application entries.

Major Upgrade
 Create your first .msi package and install it.</li> Create the updated second .msi package and change the ProductCode. Add the necessary information needed for creating a major upgrade. Make sure that the UpgradeCode in the Upgrade Table does not match the UpgradeCode property of the first .msi package.</li> From the command line run:

msiexec /I  

Check the ARP utility and you will see duplicate application entries.</li></ol>

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