Uninstall

This file is a brute-force uninstallation script in batch format for Windows systems. Its purpose is to thoroughly eliminate all components of the Automatos Almaden software from a system, ensuring that no file, service, or registry entry residues remain. This type of uninstallation is useful when standard Windows uninstall methods fail or when a full cleanup is required before a new installation.

The script works as a digital “cleaner” that methodically scans and erases every trace of Automatos programs, one by one.

1. Header and Initial Comments 📝

The script begins with a comments section that details its purpose and version history.

• Removal Type: The initial description makes it clear that this is a “Brute-Force Removal” of Automatos clients.
• Version History: Provides a chronological record of changes, including who made them and what fixes or additions were implemented.

2. Uninstallation Methodology 🛠️

The script follows a three-step process for each component, ensuring a complete and systematic cleanup.

• Stop Services and Kill Processes: Uses the commands sc stop and taskkill /f /im to stop Windows services and forcibly close processes associated with Automatos programs. This step is crucial to allow file and registry deletion, which otherwise would be blocked by the operating system.
• Remove Registry Entries: Uses the command reg delete to erase Windows registry keys and values.
  • Uninstall Keys: Focuses on uninstall keys (...Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\) that identify installed programs and allow their removal via Windows Control Panel.
  • Software-Specific Keys: Also deletes keys created directly by Automatos programs under HKLM\SOFTWARE\ and HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\.
• Remove Files and Folders: Uses the command rmdir /s /q to recursively and silently remove all Automatos program folders and subfolders. The command del /q is used to delete specific files.

3. Component-Specific Uninstallation 🗑️

The script is segmented to address each Automatos program separately, making it easier to understand and maintain.

• Remove ASA (Automatos Server Agent): Removes services and files of the server agent.
• Remove ADA (Automatos Desktop Agent): Similar to ASA, but focused on desktop agent services and files. It also performs a configuration file copy to create a backup.
• Remove ADW Plg (Automatos Distribution Wizard Plugin): Cleans up files and registry entries related to this component.
• Remove ASRC Server (Automatos Secure Remote Control Server): Uses MsiExec.exe to attempt a standard uninstallation, followed by brute-force removal to ensure no traces remain.
• Remove ASRC Viewer-Client: Terminates the process (taskkill) and removes registry entries and folders associated with the client and viewer. Includes an advanced section with a loop (for /f) that searches and removes registry entries from old users.
• Remove AAU (Automatos Auto Update): Stops the service and removes files and registry entries.
• Remove ASU (Automatos Software Uninstaller): Removes the uninstaller and its files. It also performs an additional cleanup task: deleting temporary network users (net user ... /delete) created by this component, which is an important security measure.
• Plugin Removal: The script includes dedicated sections for uninstalling additional plugins, such as:
  • ASRCSlog Plg
  • NetScan Plg
  • SNMP Plg
  • Thincc Plg
  • VMware Plg
  • MS SQL Server License Plg
  • USB Plugin

4. Final Cleanup 🧹

The script ends with a general cleanup section.

• Common Directory Removal: Deletes all main Automatos folders that may still exist, including both 32-bit and 64-bit directories. Some code lines are commented out, meaning they won’t be executed. For example, removing the main registry keys (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Automatos) is omitted, which may be intentional to avoid affecting shared components.
• exit 0: The final command, signaling to the operating system that the script executed successfully.