5 detailed Steps to MySQL Uninstallation and ReInstallation on Windows 7

Posted on by

MySQL is a free database which has been popular since the earlier web era. Its popularity has gained over the years. Today major platforms are using MySQL as the backend database. There are several features and capabilities of MySQL which make it appropriate for most web based applications. MySQL is now owned by Oracle Corporation. Though this database is good and popular, several users, especially newbies get stuck with an important issue in MySQL – uninstalling MySQL and installing it back again. There is a major architecture change that is required in MySQL to smoothly enable this – but for now, the problems stay. This article explains easy steps – but very detailed – to uninstall MySQL from a Windows 7 machine and reinstall it.

Why is this article required?

  • Scenario 1 – Assume that you have a MySQL instance on your desktop or laptop. You were doing something knowingly or unknowingly, and suddenly the application does not connect and you get a message that there is some problem with your database and you therefore decided to uninstall the database and reinstall it.
  • Scenario 2 – You wanted to delete the old instance of MySQL and put a new install
  • Scenario 3 – You wanted to change the root password of your MySQL You did it, but now the database won’t start and you need to reinstall
  • Scenario 4 – You have forgotten the password of your old MySQL and want to reinstall a new instance

    Disclaimer – This article does not address the issues related to loss of data or backup concerns. You should have backups of your database regularly.

    • Importance of this article in this information age – MySQL stores data and files in a lot of places. There is also a lack of proper information source for MySQL problems. Many forums have partial or incorrect answers to this problems and errors in uninstall and reinstall.

    Summary of Steps

  • Step 1 – Uninstall MySQL from your Windows 7 Programs
  • Step 2 – Uninstall MySQL once again using SQL Installer downloadable
  • Step 4 – Reinstall the MySQL
  • Step 3 – Remove MySQL Services and Data
      • * Remove MySQL directories
      * Remove MySQL services from Windows 7
      * Release Port held by MySQL
      * Remove MySQL Data including old password file from hidden directories
  • Step 5 – Create a sample database and get going

    • (Since the nature of the problem is peculiar – Step 3 comes after Step 4, deliberately so)

    Refer the following link to the detailed article (this is a large 3MB file with images. So please have patience while it loads)

    Comments are closed.