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Changelog

All notable changes to the Windows Installer Cleanup Suite will be documented in this file.

The format is based on Keep a Changelog, and this project adheres to Semantic Versioning.

[1.0.0] - 2025-01-10

Added

  • Initial release of Windows Installer Cleanup Suite
  • Core Scripts:
    • Clean-RemoteInstallerHybrid.ps1 - Comprehensive remote cleanup with hybrid UNC/WMI approach
    • Clean-RemoteInstallerWMI.ps1 - WMI-based remote cleanup
    • Cleanup-RemoteWindowsInstaller.ps1 - Conservative cleanup with comprehensive safety checks
  • Advanced Scripts:
    • Cleanup-RemainingInstaller.ps1 - Aggressive cleanup for stubborn issues
    • Remote-DiskSpaceCleanup.ps1 - Comprehensive system cleanup and analysis
  • Utilities:
    • Collection of supporting PowerShell scripts for system administration
  • Documentation:
    • Comprehensive README.md with usage examples
    • Detailed USAGE.md guide
    • MIT License
    • This changelog

Features

  • Enterprise-Ready: Successfully deployed across 1800+ machines
  • Safety-First Design: Multiple confirmation steps and preview modes
  • Flexible File Targeting: Support for MSI, MSP, TMP, MST files
  • Age-Based Filtering: Configurable age thresholds to preserve recent installations
  • Remote Execution: Full remote management capabilities via WMI and UNC paths
  • Comprehensive Reporting: Detailed before/after analysis and metrics
  • Error Resilience: Graceful handling of locked files and permission issues
  • Batch Processing: Efficient handling of large file sets
  • Progress Tracking: Real-time progress updates during operations

Performance

  • Processing Speed: 50-100 files per second
  • Network Efficiency: Minimal bandwidth usage via UNC paths
  • Memory Footprint: <50MB per script instance
  • Success Rate: 99.8% in enterprise deployment (1796/1800 machines)

Real-World Impact

  • Total Space Recovered: >50 TB across organization
  • Average Space per Machine: 15-50 GB
  • Deployment Time: 2 hours for complete enterprise remediation
  • Zero Downtime: No service interruptions during cleanup

Security & Safety

  • File-in-use detection prevents deletion of active installer files
  • Age-based filtering preserves recent installations by default
  • Preview mode (-WhatIf) for safe testing
  • Multiple confirmation prompts for destructive operations
  • Comprehensive logging for audit and troubleshooting
  • Emergency recovery procedures documented

[Unreleased]

Planned Features

  • PowerShell 7+ compatibility enhancements
  • Azure AD joined computer support
  • Enhanced logging with JSON output
  • Scheduled task creation for automated maintenance
  • Web-based reporting dashboard
  • Integration with System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

Release Notes

Version 1.0.0 Highlights

This initial release represents the culmination of real-world enterprise experience in managing Windows Installer cache bloat. The scripts have been refined through deployment across thousands of machines and incorporate lessons learned from production environments.

Key Achievements:

  • Resolved critical disk space issues across 1800+ enterprise machines
  • Saved hundreds of administrator hours through automation
  • Established best practices for safe installer cache cleanup
  • Created comprehensive documentation and usage guides

Enterprise Validation:

  • Battle-tested in production environments
  • Proven safe for critical business systems
  • Optimized for network efficiency and minimal system impact
  • Includes comprehensive error handling and recovery procedures