How to Uninstall SQL Compact 3.5 after installing SQL Server 2008

There are two SQL Server Compact related components that gets installed by SQL Server 2008:

• Microsoft SQL Server Compact runtime (SSCERuntime.msi)
• Microsoft SQL Server Compact Query tools (SSCESqlWbTools.msi)

You can uninstall both these components using either of the following methods.

• Use Control Panel’s Add or Remove Programs applet or Programs and Features (in Windows Vista and Windows 7) to remove these programs.
• Since SQL Server Compact’ MSIs are based on Windows Installer technology you can also use the Msiexec from command line to uninstall these components.

For example, the following command line will uninstall SQL Compact runtime .msi :

 msiexec /x   ssceruntime_enu.msi

You can run msiexec /?   on a command line to see the complete list of options. 

Note: After you uninstall these SQL Server Compact components, you will no longer be able to interact with SQL Server Compact databases from SQL Server Management Studio on that system.

Additional references:  

• SQL Server 2008 Books Online topics on “SQL Server Compact”
• 907749  Basic troubleshooting steps for Windows Installer
• 955965  Description of SQL Server Compact 3.5 Service Pack 1