Completely uninstall ADK 10?

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Question

Friday, November 13, 2015 9:53 PM

I have a unique issue. I'm trying to completely uninstall the Windows 10 ADK so I can re-install it from scratch (was using some insider things). adksetup.exe is obviously finding an existing installation somewhere (even though I uninstalled it) because the estimated disk space consumption is 48.2 MB instead of 6.5 GB (see screenshot, adksetup.exe on my Server 2012 R2 vs. a Win 10 Pro that's never had it before). Additionally, when trying to use the command line version to install it to a different path, it point blank tells me that there's another one. But there's nothing in C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits.

So how do I completely remove all references to ADK so I can reinstall it in it's entirety?

All replies (4)

Thursday, November 19, 2015 7:03 PM ✅Answered | 2 votes

All right, I think I have figured out how to do it. If it's not installed, install it again from the ADK setup (even if it's only showing 48.2 MB installation total). Once it's installed, run adksetup.exe again and select next. Uncheck EVERYTHING and click Change. It will remove references to the broken features it thinks are installed. When finished, run the adksetup.exe AGAIN and the full 6.5 GB estimated disk space will be reflected. It will now install everything.

The hoops you have to jump in order to get to this point is ridiculous.

Monday, November 16, 2015 7:22 AM

Hi Joshua,

How did you remove it?

Based on my test, after I uninstall it from the Control Panel\Programs, it still require 6.5GB free space to install.

Please run this command to try again:

adksetup /quiet /uninstall

And then clear Windows kits folder located C:\Programs file(x86).

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Monday, November 16, 2015 1:24 PM

I uninstalled from Programs and Features but the last version I had installed was one of the pre-releases from June or July, prior to the official release. Uninstalling from the command line doesn't work.

Does anybody know what order the files are installed in the Installers directory when you choose to download to install later?

Thursday, November 19, 2015 9:22 AM

Hi Joshua,

You could delete the remained files via registry entry:

1. Open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following keys one by one:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE

HKEY_USERS\DEFAULT\Software

Note: 64-bit system users will also need to check following extra key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node

Once you go to the above mentioned keys, look for a key with the name of your uninstalled software. If you find a key, delete it.

And then look for these folders:

%programfiles%

%appdata%

If you find any folder with the name of the software program which you uninstalled using 1st step, delete it.

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.