Content provided by: FlexRadio Tech Support
Windows 10 updates have a history of corrupting kernel mode drivers. Before any Windows 10 Feature Updates, you may choose to completely remove SmartSDR for Windows from your PC before performing any Windows 10 OS Feature updates. This process will remove all SmartSDR software, drivers and configuration files which may prevent conflicts related to Windows re-installing them after the Feature update is complete. By doing so, Windows will not try an “upgrade” your SmartSDR ecosystem, allowing you to do a “clean” install of SmartSDR once the Windows 10 operating system upgrade is complete. You can also use this procedure to completely remove SmartSDR from Windows from any PC where it has been previously installed.
The procedure below outlines the steps needed to perform a complete uninstall of SmartSDR for Windows from your PC.
- Record your virtual serial port configuration. While SmartCAT is running, navigate to the Serial Ports tab and record all of the virtual com port pairs and their type in the Available Flex Virtual Ports window so you can recreate them after you reinstall SmartSDR for Windows if necessary.
- Record your DAX IQ Channel configuration. While DAX is running, open the Control Panel and record the sampling rate for the four (4) DAX IQ channels so you can recreate them after you reinstall SmartSDR for Windows.
- Export your Profiles. While SmartSDR for Windows is running, using the Import/Export feature, export your Profiles selecting all of the options. For archive purposes, copy the export file that was copied to your desktop to a thumb drive or other external media device. You should not need this once you reinstall SmartSDR for Windows, but it is always a "best practice" to have a current backup.
- Logout from SmartLink. If SmartSDR, CAT, and/or DAX is logged into a SmartLink account, log out from your SmartLink account on each software application that is logged on.
- Shut down your FLEX-6000 SDR. Power off your FLEX-6000 to prevent any conflict when removing programs that may still be connected to it.
- Unplug the FlexControl if you have one connected to your PC
- Manually close SmartSDR CAT and DAX control panels on your PC if they are running. NOTE: if you have ever installed SmartSDR for Windows on any other PC connected to your network, make sure that SmartSDR CAT and DAX are not running on them too
- Remove the FlexControl driver by running the FlexControlUninstall file as Administrator. Navigate to the folder [the drive Letter you installed SSDR, usually C:]\Program Files\FlexRadio Systems\SmartSDR [vA.B.C, select the latest version]\[32 or 64-bit] Drivers\FlexControl. You will see a file called FlexControlUninstall. Right-click on it and Run as Administrator. A command window will popup momentarily and close when the driver is uninstalled.
- Uninstall all SmartSDR applications from your PC. Using either the Uninstall SmartSDR option found using the Start Button->All Programs->FlexRadio Systems->SmartSDR vA.B.C application folder or in the Control Panel’s Change or Remove Programs applet, remove all installed versions of SmartSDR starting with the oldest version first. NOTE: When uninstalling SmartSDR, make sure you select the option NO when asked if you want to keep the DAX drivers. Also, select the option NO when prompted to reboot. We will do this later.
- Uninstall the SmartSDR CAT FlexVSP driver. Using the Control Panel’s Change (Add) or Remove Programs applet, find the FlexRadio Systems FlexVSP entry and uninstall it. For details on how to uninstall the FlexRadio FlexVSP driver, please see the SmartSDR CAT Software User’s Guide available from the FlexRadio Website (http://www.flexradio.com/downloads/smartsdr-cat-user-guide-pdf/)
- Remove all FlexRadio specific hidden virtual comports from your PC. Using the procedure, Removing Hidden or "Ghosted" Com ports (https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/200883925-Removing-Hidden-or-Ghosted-Com-ports), remove all comports with the names “FlexRadio Virtual Serial Port” or “FlexRadio FlexControl”. NOTE: If you have recently removed ghosted com ports, this step may not be necessary, but it is a good practice to clean up unused hidden virtual com ports that Windows leaves behind.
- Remove any residual SmartSDR application folders. Navigate to the folder [the drive Letter you installed SSDR, usually C:]\Program Files\FlexRadio Systems\. If you see any SmartSDR application specific folders what are indicated by SmartSDR [vA.B.C], manually delete them. NOTE: Do not delete any other folders other than the SmartSDR application specific folders.
- Reboot your computer
At this point, all of the SmartSDR for Windows applications (aka "the SmartSDR software ecosystem") and drivers have been removed from your system and you can upgrade your Windows operating system or do a fresh install of the latest SmartSDR for Windows.