>>>>The Removal Progress does not go past (not really hangs but progress stops) on Install_SQL_Engine_Core_Inst_Loc_CPU64_1033_Action.
>>>>
>>>>I think this is the same process/program that stops during the installation. Any suggestions?
>>>>
>>>>>I want to un-install SQL Server 2008 Express so that I can (hopefully) install it again with the SQL Server Management studio.
>>>>>
>>>>>In the Control Panel Uninstall programs I have the following items pertaining to SQL Server:
>>>>>
>>>>>SQL Server 2008 R2 (64bit)
>>>>>SQL Server 2008 R2 Management Objects
>>>>>SQL Server 2008 R2 Native Client
>>>>>SQL Server 2008 R2 Setup
>>>>>SQL Server 2008 Setup Support Files
>>>>>SQL Server Browser
>>>>>SQL Server System CLR Types
>>>>>SQL Server VSS Writer
>>>>>
>>>>>Any suggestions on the order of removing the above items?
>>>>>
>>>>>(In case someone is wondering why I want to remove. When I try to install SQL Server 2008 with SSMS or SQL Server 2012 with SSMS the installation hangs on the step Installation Progress)
>>>>>
>>>>>TIA
>>>Not fun trying to uninstall SQL Server.
>>>Go into your task manager, look at services.
>>>Be sure that anything that looks like a SQL service has been stopped.
>>
>>Thank you. I asked the IT to reboot the server. Maybe after they reboot it and after I stop all SQL-like services, I can uninstall it. I agree with you on the challenges of uninstalling MS software.
>>SET GRIPE ON
>>Why can't MS be more like Apple where removing an application is a cinch. MS, with all their billions of dollars, is the most incompetent software company. Period.
>>SET GRIPE OFF
>
>Yes, it's amazing that such a wonderful product is so difficult to manage.
>If you and I did that to our customers, we'd have been out of business long ago.
>Fortunately, I partner with a non-developer super-tech who handles these things for me. (He's amazing!!)
>As I recall, when I tried to remove SQL Server on my own, it only removed an instance of SQL Server, not the base product. That drove me batty for a while.

I agree that you and I would be shining shoes if we treated our customers as MS does.
You are lucky to have such a partner. Make you treat him to coffee and donuts every so often :)