When you install a program, particularly via an install script (VBscript, PowerShell etc.), it’s always good practice to check the Exit Code the program returns.

Just in case the program didn’t install probably, or even, the user has pressed cancel.

Much to my annoyance, here’s a list of programs which return 0 (Zero ie. I installed ok) when they don’t install:

• Google Desktop
• Lanier Printer Drivers
• LastPass
• Windows 7 USB/DVD-download tool
  (requires the Imaging API, if it’s not there, it fails and returns 0 anyway).
• Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools

It’s not an exhaustive list by any means 🙁

Update 23 May 2010, and these as well:

• Google Chrome Browser
• Firefox 3.6.3
• Skype
• Thunderbird
• Paint.Net
• Picasa 3.6
• XnView
• Acrobat Reader 9.3
• SUPERAntiSpyware
• uTorrent 2.0
• Evernote
• Texter
• Postbox

Related posts:

Reading the end of a log file with PowerShell And here’s the PowerShell: Pinging a computer script Can’t find script engine “VBScript” for script

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