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 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 into 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 via RDP.

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

5. Select ActivePerl or ActivePython and click the Uninstall button:

   

   ActivePerl or/and ActivePython are not present at the Programs and Features list

   1. Check if the 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"}

   2. 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()

   3. Go to the %plesk_dir%Adittional folder and make sure that no Perl and Python folders left there.

      Remove them, if they exist.

   4. Check that there are no registry keys in the 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

6. Back to Plesk and go to Plesk > Tools & Settings > Server Components and click the Refresh button.

   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?