force a program to delete itself

[MitaDC]

Hey guys

I am writing a cleanup program to delete some files etc. of a program I am copying to the desktop. Is there a way I can force the program to delete itself once it is complete? If not can I send it to a temp file? If I can, is there a special path for a temp directory?

Thanks

Mita

[RobDog888]

A program that is running can not delete itself nor move its location. Maybe it would be better to have it start running from the Temp directory.

You can use this API to get the Temp directory path.

Private Declare Function GetTempPath Lib "kernel32.dll" Alias "GetTempPathA" (ByVal nBufferLength As Int32, ByVal lpBuffer As String) As Int32

[ComputerJy]

or you can make a .bat file that will delete your program after execution

[MitaDC]

so possibly copy a .bat file to a temp folder and have the end of my program a little something like this:

Process.Start("path")
End

Mita

[ComputerJy]

yes, that's right

System.IO.File.CreateText("Path\File.bat").Write("pause" + ControlChars.NewLine _
        + "@ECHO OFF" + ControlChars.NewLine + "del" + Application.ExecutablePath)
        Process.Start("Path")
        End

[RobDog888]

But then your left with the same problem, a left over file.

[ComputerJy]

But then your left with the same problem, a left over file.

If you put the batch file in the temp folder there will be no problem, and as I understood he'd use both ideas.

BTW I hope the idea is not for a virus or something harmful, otherwise why would you want your app to be deleted?

[Liquid Metal]

BTW I hope the idea is not for a virus or something harmful, otherwise why would you want your app to be deleted?

Honestly, this is what it sounds like.

[RobDog888]

Hey guys

I am writing a cleanup program to delete some files etc. of a program I am copying to the desktop. ...

This appears to be the reason for the self delete but even if its not, the IP and provider and other info is automatically stored with each and every post.

[PENNYSTOCK]

How does an uninstaller work? Couldn't you just do an unistall?

[ComputerJy]

Even uninstallers leave some temp files on your computer.

[RobDog888]

Thats usually because they dont write them to clean up all files as some are added by the user during the programs use or customization settings. Registry keys, temp files, and program folders etc all can be left behind during an uninstall.

[MitaDC]

I actually work for a company where I want to copy an auto-install program to the desktop but then when I am finished with the install files (PC-Cillin etc.) I want to run a program from a shortcut to delete all of the files that have been copied to the desktop.

Mita

[RobDog888]

Since your on a LAN its allot easier and better if you use publishing features or GPOs to make sure the app is installed wher ever they log in to on the network. No installation files are needing to be removed since they run from the server.

[MitaDC]

alright will look into.

Thanks

And thanks for assuming I was writing a virus