How to move programmes from an old machine to a new one?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mervyn Thomas
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Mervyn Thomas

I have scores of utilities and programmes all fully licenced that came from
downloads,scores of floppies etc that I now want to use on my new machine.
I can identify the folders the installations are in but are there any other
files that are used? And registry settings?

Microsoft office and accounts packages can be reinstalled but it's all of
the other stuff I don't know how to handle?

Mervyn
 
Mervyn Thomas said:
I have scores of utilities and programmes all fully licenced that came from
downloads,scores of floppies etc that I now want to use on my new machine.
I can identify the folders the installations are in but are there any other
files that are used? And registry settings?

Microsoft office and accounts packages can be reinstalled but it's all of
the other stuff I don't know how to handle?

Mervyn
Click to expand...

Each program requires its own settings in the registry and its
own files in various folders. The installation program supplied
with the programs ensures that everything goes into the
right place. To duplicate this process would require you to
check a very large number of registry entries and hope that
you haven't overlooked anything. In other words, it's an
impossible exercise except for the most simple applications.

Your best bet is to keep the installation file or CD for each
and every program in a safe place. Sooner or later you will need
it again, and it could be verly difficult to locate it. In the same
place you should keep a list of all your registration keys.
 
Hi

All those programs will have to installed on the new machine. There's no
way to transfer them as their files could have installed anywhere on the
hard disk. And as you have already pointed out, the Registry settings can't
be transferred either.

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups
 
Thanks - but where else other than the program files directory would an
install place files? And in the registry their appears to be entries in
....software\program name but I could not trace anything else. Am I missing
something basic here?
Mervyn
 
Some applications install files in c:\program files, others in c:\,
and some elements could go into c:\windows and into
c:\windows\system32.

About the registry: Start at the very top, press F3, then look for
"Outlook Express". This gives you an idea of the countless
places where program-related keys might be found.
 
Hi

The files could have been installed anywhere within the Windows system file
folders - especially .DLL files. The name of those files may not bear any
resemblance to the name of the program.

The same for Registry entries - it's impossible to say what entries a
specific program puts into the Registry.

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups
 
The effort you are contemplating is a massive one!
There are fairly common search keys to use in the registry (as a start)
The vendors name or initials is/are always a good place to begin.
There may be single or multiple families of entries relating to the same
program or group of programs.
Take note of any gibberish seeming number/letter sequence. It will likely
need to be used as an additional search key.

Programs may create registry entries on installation or first/succeding uses
Windows may create registry entries for programs with old style installation
and setup files.

Some older programs may run but not install on a later windows version.
These are the ones that are likely subjects for a manual install or copy and
then experiment.

Some programs (after a copy process) will not work, and complain that
specific things are not found, etc. At least these give you a hint as to
what is missing and maybe where it should be.
 
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