App-V program is removed without warning when you rerun the MSI package

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Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:

In Microsoft Application Virtualization 5.0 Service Pack 1 (App-V 5.0 SP1), you have installed an MSI virtual application package.
You mistakenly rerun the MSI package.
The program is removed and unpublished without warning. Additionally, the removal process does not cleanly uninstall the Windows Installer package. The Windows Installer keys remain in the registry, and the program is still displayed in Programs and Features.

In this scenario, you cannot uninstall or reinstall the package.

Note You do not experience this behavior in earlier versions of the product. For example, if you run an MSI package a second time in App-V 4.6, you receive a warning that the package is already installed.

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Cause

App-V MSI packages were intended for use by an Electronic Software Distribution (ESD) solution such as System Center Configuration Manager. They were not designed for end-users. Therefore, these packages do not include error handling in this scenario.

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Resolution

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To enable reinstallation of the package, manually delete the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\{<appid>}

The <appid> placeholder represents the Windows Installer application ID for the package.

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