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I have been pushing installation of a software via GPO. If the software has been installed on all workstations needing it, will disabling the GPO link (or deleting the link outright) cause the software to be uninstalled?

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Really, more detail is needed to give a comprehensive answer. Have you set the option in the package properties to uninstall the application when it falls out of the scope of management? – joeqwerty Jun 12 '12 at 12:53
IIRC, I set the option to "Let users keep using this application" (or something to that effect), but I'm not sure if 'disabling the link' or 'deleting the link/GPO' is considered "falling out of the scope of management" – pepoluan Jun 12 '12 at 15:20
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Deleting the link would uninstall the software... if you selected the option to uninstall it when it falls out of the scope of management because deleting the link takes those objects (computers and users) out of the scope of management of the GPO. Since you didn't select the uninstall option, nothing will happen if you delete the link. I've never tested it with disabling the link but I suspect the software would not be uninstalled (if you had selected the option to uninstall) because the objects still fall under the SOM of the GPO, even if it is disabled. – joeqwerty Jun 12 '12 at 19:26
Ah, makes sense. Thanks for the explanation? – pepoluan Jun 14 '12 at 8:13

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up vote 5 down vote accepted

No.

If you want to uninstall software package using GP you need to create GP which force software package removal.

Disabling link to GP which install package does not remove it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816102

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Thank you for your answer! – pepoluan Jun 12 '12 at 4:30
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Disabling the link does take it out of scope. It will uninstall the software.

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This is actually wrong. Whether the software gets uninstalled or not when the GPO is removed is controlled by a GP setting. And it's been a long night, but IIRC, by default, this setting is configured to keep the software installed when the GPO no longer applies. – HopelessN00b Aug 18 '12 at 5:41

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