Can't uninstall/update nRF Connect for Desktop 3.12

[kruml]

Have seen this issue posted before, but none of the fixes worked for me. 

This is what I did leading up to the problem:

• Opened nRF Connect 3.12
• Installed the programmer application
• Got a warning message that the programmer was a newer version, but nRF connect was an older version. Was recommended to update.
• Tried updating via the GUI. Got error message that it can't close running nRF Connect so install failed.

Thisis what I've tried:

• Reboot computer
• Still same error, can't close running nRF.
• Have cleared out all nrf related folders in %appdata% and %localappdata%.
• Have tried uninstalling through windows settings
• Have tried upgrading with the downloaded .exe for nRF Connect 4.4.1.

Same thing applies to nRF Connect for Desktop Bluetooth Low Energy.

I see no running nrf tasks or services. Having deleted all files in appdata and localappdata, the applications do not show up when searching in start menu anymore. They do however show up in "Add or remove programs" in Windows, so something is still left somewhere...

[Kenneth]

Hello,

Seems you have tried a lot already, but can you try the suggestion here also?
RE: Unable to uninstall or upgrade nrfconnect for desktop 

Kenneth

[kruml]

I saw that thread. Regarding removing "old copies of SES", I am not sure what "SES" stands for?

[Kenneth]

That is program related to SEGGER, such as SEGGER embedded studio (SES), but you maye also try to uninstall J-link. 

Kenneth

[GudniMar]

To add to this conversation, I've had this issue with many recent releases and is always a hassle to update which leads me to delay it.

To resolve this on my end on Windows 11, I had to delete C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Programs\nrfconnect manually. I also removed all other folders on my system manually just in case the uninstaller isn't removing everything properly.