For over a year I have not been able to install sqlserver on my system. I spent months and 70+ hours trying to fix this to no avail. It started with SCCM; after uninstalling it improperly I was left with junk in the system, and no longer able to install
subsequent installations of sql. Even after dist-upgrades, given there are over 11,000 registry keys buried in the system, its hard to clean up. I just fixed my problem and managed to install it for the first time in a year. Simple process... you will need
two things. 1. Windows Installer Clean up, (I just found out after the fact a new one
was released last month, but I used the ancient one which worked successfully) and you will need 2. "Revo
Uninstaller 4.0." There are multiple approaches. My version Microsoft SQL 2008 Server Express Edition
Here is how I did it!
1. I tried to install it, it failed.
2. Before closing/rolling back installation, I opened "Windows Installer Clean up" to confirm installation entries had been reported. They were there. Seeing that SQL uninstaller doesn't do its job right, Iopen task manager and kill the setup-installer rather than letting it roll itself back.
3. I opened revo-uninstaller, highlighted SQL entries and prepared to do an
advanced uninstall/removal. This searches for leftovers the native uninstaller conveniently misses.
4. I initiated "Windows installer clean up" on all SQL entries at about the same time as I initiated an advanced uninstall with revo, so one wouldn't plausibly gut whatever the other one needs to do its job before its too late; ok kind of nutty, but you can combine this in various ways until it works for you, if it doesn't the first time. It worked for me first go.
It may be wise to Install SQL with Revo Uninstaller first, crash the failed setup, then run "Windows installer clean up", and THEN do the Revo Log based clean up.
5. Windows installer clean up won the race and left behind much if not all of the files on the hard drive, but probably worked most of its magic in the registry.
6. Revo-Uninstaller completed and cleaned up whatever junk was left on the hard-drive, there were next to no registry entries reported left behind.
7. I tried installing sql-sever again, this time with Revo, VIA "Install ProgramWith Revo-Uninstaller", think of this as "Process Monitor" for installations. I could have done that the first time, but none the less, this worked. This time SQL installed without a hitch for the first time in a year after
dozens and dozens of previous attempts. PLUS Revo has detected over 12,125 registry keys and logged everything necessary to clean it up absolutely 100%; user rights and all...
You can copy and repeat with whatever versions you believe you have installed previously to ensure you get every last bit of junk out of there. This basically overrides what was already on there before but gives you a convenient log that automates the process
of removal for a later time. I recommend, then, using SQL's built in uninstaller, to remove itself PROPERLY this time, this way post installation changes may be reverted as well. THEN run the Revo-Uninstaller's Advanced Uninstall, THEN the LOG based
removal system after.... Then, and or at the same time, run "Windows Install Clean Up" to be sure its dead.
PS. I just did a dist-upgrade to windows 10 from 7, this may be very helpful, as I noted it, or possibly DISM, over time, cleaned up and defaulted some user rights permissions I had changed in GPO in windows 7 that may have caused some issues as well.
I hope this saves you a whole lot of troubles!