Upgrading CC device licenses- uninstall package doesn't remove apps?

[DavidLLevine]

Our MacOS graphic design lab was brand new last summer. I used the package creation tool and included all the desired apps plus the Creative Cloud Desktop Application, which was signed into MY Adobe ID for the last school year. This wasn't often problematic, but now I see it's better to leave that off the device license package build. So my new package for the fall of 2018 leaves that out.

The existing lab machines were used for the 17-18 school year and updated a couple of times. I copied the install package (which included an uninstall package even though I didn't specifically ask for it) to each desktop of a local admin account. When I run the uninstaller package it completes in just a minute or two, but all the apps are still present. That seemed weird.

I ran my Fall 2018 package anyway and it took a while, reporting success and showing the apps I'd selected. The Creative Cloud Desktop Application appears, but I can quit it, and the apps still run, though update option is greyed out in each app.

Is this normal?

Thanks,

David

[kglad]

[ moved from Downloading, Installing, Setting Up to Deployment for Creative Cloud for Team, Enterprise, & CS]

[alisterblack]

Hi,

Do the older versions of the apps still appear in the Applications folder? Do they have their Uninstaller within their folder?

[DavidLLevine]

Hi alisterblack and thanks for responding.

Yes, with one exception, all CC app folders stay in place along with their uninstallers. Adobe Acrobat DC is the one app folder that disappeared after running the whole package uninstaller.

The only other difference I notice is that "Updates" is grayed out in each app.

thanks,

David

[alisterblack · Accepted solution]

Hi,

My first suggestion would be to use the 'Create Uninstall Package' option in the Packager to build an uninstall package, if you have not already done so. This can uninstall most (but not all) apps. See https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/package/help/create-uninstall-package.html

The issue with the greyed out update option is likely caused by settings in your package. This is controlled by a file included with your package which can be deleted. See Disable auto-updates in Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Creative Suite 6 apps

[DavidLLevine]

Hi alisterblack and thanks again for staying with this post, your responses have been just the right amount of helpful!

When I created the 2017 install package, an uninstall package was created automatically (or I don't remember asking for it) inside the Build folder. It's a small file, 5M. I guess the fact that it ran quickly without errors and DID actually remove one app (Acrobat DC) I'm not all that worried.

As long as all the apps run for all the students who use the lab machines, I won't be too worried about the update scenario. Maybe I can do it between semesters- there are only 17 machines.

Final question on this topic ... If I really want to "wipe the slate" and start over with a "fresh" installation of device licensed apps, what would be my procedure for full removal of the old set of CC apps? You mentioned that if I were to build an uninstall package it would not necessarily remove all the apps. My gut would tell me to deactivate the device license in the Admin Console, run any uninstall package I might have, then delete the app folders left behind.

Thanks again,

David