How to remove ActivePython and ActivePerl from a Plesk server?

Question

How to remove ActivePython and ActivePerl from a Plesk server?

Answer

Warning: Removing ActivePython and/or ActivePerl from the server with Plesk 12.0 will make SpamAssassin and AWStats to stop functioning.

Note: If Plesk 12.x or earlier is in use it is strongly recommended to upgrade Plesk from 12.x to the latest release.

1. Log in to Plesk

2. Turn off Perl and Python in all existing Service Plans and Subscriptions.

   Warning: this is a mandatory step: otherwise, handlers will not be removed from domains settings.

3. Connect to the server using RDP.

4. Go to Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.

5. Select ActivePerl and click Uninstall:

   

6. Repeat step 3 for ActivePython.

7. The following solution can be used if application is not present in Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features:

   Check if package is installed using the following PowerShell command:

   PS Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -match "ActivePython"}
   PS Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -match "ActivePerl"}

   Remove it using the following commands:

   PS $app = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -match "ActivePython"}
   $app.Uninstall()
   PS $app = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -match "ActivePerl"}
   $app.Uninstall()

8. Check that there are no folders Perl and Python in the directory %plesk_dir%Adittional. Remove them, if they exist.

9. Check that there are no registry keys in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ActiveState:

   C:\> reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ActiveState"
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ActiveState\ActivePerl
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ActiveState\ActivePython

   Remove them, if they exist:

   C:\> reg delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ActiveState\ActivePerl
   C:\> reg delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ActiveState\ActivePython

10. Log into Plesk.

11. Go to Tools & Settings > Server Components and click Refresh.

    Python and Perl should be no longer shown in the section Web Scripting.

Additional information

• Plesk no longer licenses ActivePython and ActivePerl from ActiveState. How to avoid violation of the license agreement?