Following my previous post on how to uninstall SQL Server 2008 instance, this time I am writing about how to uninstall the SQL Express 2005. Here’s the thing: I have already had a SQL Server 2005 Developer instance when I installed the SQL Express 2005. I can’t tell apart the double-installed SQL Server 2005, so how do I do it?
Believe it or not, Microsoft website suggests you to uninstall the SQL Express via Add/Remove Program. I feel rather apprehensive toward this method as so many things can go wrong and you’ll end up spending more time cleaning up after the mess.
Instead of doing that, I go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\ARPWrapper.exe. The following window will pop up:
Choose the SQL Express instance
There you have SQL Server 2005 instances available and you can simply select the one that you want to uninstall. Click next and follow through. After the check up, another window will pop up.
Click on Remove Microsoft SQL Server and this will uninstall the installation of SQL Express on your computer. You can check it by running the ARPWrapper.exe again.
