Hello All...

Trying to uninstall Exchange 2013 CUv2 v2. I've moved all the Mailboxes, Arbitration, Discovery, Public Folder, etc to another working server. Everything was moved over fine. Uninstall via the control panel proceeded as normal, then just failed. No choice but to exit. Now when trying to recover, and uninstall again....I cannot. I get the vague error of "An incomplete installation was detected.  Run setup to complete Exchange installation." 

Not that I want to, but tried to reinstall, but can't do that either.

I know it's a last resort and not supported, but can I just use ASDIEdit ,and manually remove the server references? If so, what is a good guide on the procedure....? I don't want spend hours pouring over setup logs and the registry if I don't have to- just want this removed from AD.

I've searched the net quite a bit on manual removal, but can't find a concise how-to...

Any help is appreciated ...Thanks

Give this a try and let us know.

To remove the server open ADSI-Edit and go to configuration

Navigate to this path:

CN=Configuration,DC=DOMAIN,DC=LOCAL
CN=Services
CN=Microsoft Exchange
CN=EXCHANGE_ORG
CN=Administrative Groups

for Exchange 

CN=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)

CN=Servers

Hi,

It is not recommended to remove Exchange Server using ADSIEdit.

If you really want to do so, please run ADSIEdit.msc and locate to:

CN=configuration
DC=domain name,DC=com
CN=Services
CN=Microsoft Exchange
CN=Organization
CN=Administrative Groups
CN=(Groupname)
CN=Servers

What's more, here is a thread for your reference.

Remove Failed Exchange 2010 Install (Note: Though it is Exchange 2010, I think it also applies to Exchange 2013)

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/exchange/en-US/c2d94219-3421-4b43-b659-b34ce46bf648/remove-failed-exchange-2010-install?forum=exchangesvrdeploylegacy

Hope it helps.

If there are any problems, please feel free to let me know.

Best regards,
Amy

Amy....thanks. I really don't WANT to do this-- but as long as the consensus is that it won't do any harm...I'll remove it via ADSIEdit...since I can't re-install it anyway.

I'll let you know how I make out....

Check the registry for the water mark key, if you see the WaterMark Key, delete the WaterMark key and try to uninstall.

Post the update.

Gulab..... I only found one watermark key under this key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\v15\MailboxRole]

I don't think that's the one related to setup- none the less I removed it but still can't uninstall.

Think I'll go the ADSIEdit route- there should be no ill effects doing that right? 

There should not be any ill effects as long as you delete only that server. I would advise that you be very careful and pay close attention to what you are deleting. If your not sure a safer option would be to make a backup of your AD so you have that just in case of accidental deletion of a critical item. You can search TechNet for specifics on backing up your AD according to your Server version (2003, 2008, etc).

Thanks all... for the input and reassurance- all looks good now. Removed that one problem exchange server with ADSIEdit...

Happy holidays....! 

use same Exhcnage 2013 Media(if CU2 , use CU2) and use command prompt

command line: setup.com /m:uninstall

Hi,

You'll need Microsoft Exchnage Server 2013 media. (DVD/ISO).

Execute the following command using command promt (run cmd as administrator):

Setup.exe /mode:Uninstall /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms

I was having identical problem and by using this method I didn't have to use ADSIEdit.

• Proposed as answer by Jeff Guillet [MCM, MVP, Author, Blogger]MVP Wednesday, July 16, 2014 8:06 PM

Thank you!!

the setup.exe /m:uninstall command worked perfectly.  Now I can try again to get Exchange 2013 to install correctly.  :)

This worked perfectly.

Thanks!

Lokys you little genius.  Thanks for saving me from the anxiety that is ADSIEDIT.  

We always look for answers on forums and never give thanks when its do. But today I would like to say THANK YOU!

I wasted 8 hours trying to get the regedit key (watermark) and was about to do the ADSIEDIT and came across your suggestion and it was validated with a few users.

I am in the process now of uninstalling and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!