# Clean reinstall with the obliterate script

*Tableau Server Administrator Study Guide · Migration & Upgrade · Last updated November 13, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-server-administrator/migration-and-upgrade/clean-reinstall-with-the-obliterate-script*

Why and when to reset a Windows computer to a pre-Tableau state with tableau-server-obliterate.cmd instead of a Control Panel uninstall, what the script removes and preserves, its -k, -g, -a and -l options, and how to run it correctly before a clean reinstall.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Server Administrator
- Exam section: Migration & Upgrade
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-server-administrator

**Official exam objective:**

> 5.2 Explain how and why to perform a clean reinstall

## What the exam expects

- Explain why a clean reinstall needs `tableau-server-obliterate.cmd` rather than a Control Panel uninstall or a maintenance command.
- State what the obliterate script removes, what it preserves by default and what it never touches.
- Run the script correctly: the right command prompt, the right script version, the right folder and every node.
- Choose among the `-k`, `-g`, `-a` and `-l` options for backups, logs and licensing.
- Decide whether to keep or remove licensing before a reinstall.

Key terms:
- **Clean reinstall:** completely removing Tableau Server, including data and settings, then installing it again on a computer in a pre-Tableau state.
- **`tableau-server-obliterate.cmd`:** the script installed with Tableau Server that removes all versions, data, registry entries and, optionally, licensing.
- **Uninstall:** removing one Tableau Server package in Control Panel, typically an earlier version after an upgrade.
- **logs-temp:** the folder, by default `\ProgramData\Tableau\logs-temp`, where the script saves backup and log files.
- **Server ATR:** activating Tableau Server through the Authorization-To-Run service.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Script name | `tableau-server-obliterate.cmd`, installed with Tableau Server | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| Default folder | `packages\scripts.<version_code>` under the install path | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| Prompt type | 64-bit only; a 32-bit prompt leaves Tableau partly installed | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| Script version | Use the one for the installed version; older scripts may miss files | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| Default preservation | Since 2020.1, backups and logs copied to `\ProgramData\Tableau\logs-temp` | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| `-k` / `-g` / `-a` | Skip backups / skip logs / skip both | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| `-l` | Removes licensing files when the computer is online; not for offline use | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| Not removed | Separately installed drivers | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| After Control Panel uninstall | Run the copy in `\Tableau Server\temp` | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| Multi-node | Run on each node; deactivate keys on the initial node only | [Remove Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm) |
| Uninstall backup | Uninstalling does not create a backup since 2018.2 | [Uninstall Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/uninstall_server.htm) |

## Check yourself

- When does a first-time Tableau Server install fail to prompt for an install location?
- Why should you copy a `.tsbak` to another computer before removing Tableau Server?
- Where does the script save backup and log files by default?
- Which registry entries does the obliterate script remove?

## Sources

- [Remove Tableau Server from Your Computer](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/remove_tableau.htm)
- [Uninstall Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/uninstall_server.htm)
- [Troubleshoot Tableau Server Install and Upgrade](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/trouble_install_upgrade.htm)
- [Post Upgrade Cleanup](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/server-upgrade-baseline-post-ug-cleanup.htm)
- [tsm maintenance](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cli_maintenance_tsm.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 5 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Server Administrator pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams