Unable to uninstall Windows SQL Server 2012 instance from server with multiple SQL versions

Question

We are trying to remove SQL Server 2012 from a server which has several versions of SQL installed. When trying to uninstall an instance we received a message saying the install location is unavailable.

I have tried downloading a SQL Server 2012 Express to point to an installation location, but it still refuses to budge.

What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

When you try to remove a SQL Server 2012 instance but get an “install location unavailable” error, it means Setup can’t find the original MSI files in the Windows Installer cache. To fix this without rebuilding the VM, follow these steps:

Obtain the exact SQL Server 2012 installation media

Download the same edition (Express, Standard, etc.) ISO or installer package you originally used.

If you only have a service pack or CU, extract it (e.g., SQLServer2012SP4-KB2979597-x64.exe /X C:\SQL2012SP4).

Place the extracted files in a local folder, e.g., C:\SQL2012Media.

Restore missing installer cache files (if needed)

SQL Server stores stripped-down MSI/MSP files under %windir%\Installer. If those are missing, you can use Microsoft’s FixMissingMSI tool to recache them:

a. Download FixMissingMSI from the SQL Setup ToolSuite GitHub.

b. Run FixMissingMSI.exe, point it to C:\SQL2012Media, and click Fix All.

c. This repopulates %windir%\Installer with the original MSI/MSP files required for uninstall and service-pack removal.

Launch the SQL Server Setup in Remove-Instance mode

a. Open an elevated Command Prompt and navigate to C:\SQL2012Media.

b. Run:

text

Setup.exe /ACTION=Uninstall /FEATURES=SQL /INSTANCENAME=<YourInstanceName>

c. When prompted for media source, browse to C:\SQL2012Media so Setup can locate the MSI files.

Alternative: Use Control Panel → Programs & Features

a. Open Programs and Features, select Microsoft SQL Server 2012, and click Uninstall/Change.

b. In the SQL Server Installation Center, go to Maintenance → Remove.

c. When it asks for missing installation files, click Select Installation Media Root Directory and browse to C:\SQL2012Media (the folder containing the original Setup MSI).

d. Continue through the wizard to remove the instance.

Clean up residual components (if any remain)

1. After uninstall, verify no SQL Server 2012 services exist under Services.msc.
2. Optionally delete leftover registry keys and folders: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\ (rename or delete folders for the 110.* instance)
3. Registry: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\110 HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQL$<YourInstanceName>
4. Reboot and verify removal.
5. Restart the server.
6. Confirm the instance is gone via sqlcmd -L or SQL Server Configuration Manager.

By restoring the missing MSI cache and pointing Setup to the original media, you can cleanly uninstall the SQL Server 2012 instance without redeploying the VM.

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