The installer says POINTCLOUD is already installed

Summary

When installing or updating TCP PointCloud Editor it is common to get a message from the installer saying that the application is already installed or that the previous version must be uninstalled, even when it had already been uninstalled. In most cases these are leftovers from the previous installation (the program folder that was not fully deleted, or an obsolete uninstall entry in the Windows registry), and the installer itself allows you to continue even though it shows that warning. This article explains how to leave the computer clean before reinstalling and what the correct procedure is for updating to a new version.

Applies to

• TCP PointCloud Editor (PointCloud). The documented cases mention versions 1.8.8.1, 1.20 and 1.21.

• Installing and updating the application on Windows.

• It affects both the main application and its Tcp PointCloud Editor CAD-Plugin add-on (CAD Plugin).

Symptoms

• When running the installer for a new version, a message appears saying that the application is already installed or that the previous version must be uninstalled before continuing.

• The warning keeps appearing even though the previous version has already been uninstalled.

• The installation process warns that a previous installation exists and that continuing is not recommended.

Cause

The warning appears for one of these reasons:

• The previous version was not uninstalled before launching the installer for the new one.

• There are leftovers from the previous installation: the program folder was not completely removed and/or an obsolete uninstall entry remains in the Windows registry, both of which make the installer believe the program is still installed.

• Sometimes the installer's detection gives false positives.

Solution

Case: the installer says the application is already installed even though it was uninstalled

1. In «Add or remove programs» (Programs and Features) in Windows, make sure you uninstall both TCP PointCloud Editor and its Tcp PointCloud Editor CAD-Plugin add-on (CAD Plugin), as they appear in the list of installed programs.

2. Check whether the default installation folder still exists. By default the application is installed in C:\Program Files\Aplitop (Windows Explorer may show it as «Program Files», but the path you must type is C:\Program Files\Aplitop); check that no TCP PointCloud Editor or PCE-CAD-Plugin subfolders remain inside that path. If any exists (even if empty), delete it manually.

3. Only after completing steps 1 and 2, run the installer again. If the previous-installation warning reappears with the computer already clean, it is a false positive of the Windows registry: you can click «OK» and continue. Do not force the installation if you have not first uninstalled the previous version and its CAD Plugin: installing over the files of the previous version is the usual cause of the application not starting afterwards (see POINTCLOUD does not start after installing or updating).

4. If the warning persists after this and you cannot install, you will need to remove the obsolete uninstall entry from the Windows registry (next case) or request a remote connection from Aplitop technical support through the chat on the website.

Case: the warning persists — removing the obsolete key from the Windows registry

1. Run the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) as administrator.

2. Find the uninstall key of the previous version in the path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{version identifier} The identifier in braces is specific to each version. For example, for version v1.8.8.1 the documented key was {E987B90D-C490-4C3A-8215-9EFE86DDB494}.

3. Delete that key.

4. Run the installer again; it should now work correctly.

Case: how to update correctly to a new version

1. Uninstall the current version from «Programs and Features» (add/remove programs) in Windows, uninstalling the Tcp PointCloud Editor CAD-Plugin add-on (CAD Plugin) as well.

2. Once everything has been uninstalled, install the new version by running setup.exe as Administrator.

If the problem persists

• If after cleaning the installation folder and forcing the installer to continue you still cannot install, and you do not want to or cannot edit the Windows registry, contact Aplitop technical support through the support chat at www.aplitop.com and request a remote connection to the computer.

Category: Installation and system requirements · Level: Intermediate