Copy applications between hard drives

rimutaka · 04 Apr 2011

Hi,

I would like to copy the applications from my PC's hard drive to my laptop's hard drive.

Is it possible?

Cheers

Mike Connor · 04 Apr 2011

No, it is not possible. You can not directly copy installed applications.

If you use programs that do not require an install, ( Also known as "Portable" applications), then you can copy them to wherever you want. Quite a few programs now also offer the option to install themselves as "Portable" or "Installed" versions.

If you tell us what programs you want to copy, then perhaps we can help further, with alternatives perhaps, or portable versions of the same software.

Regards....Mike Connor

brady · 04 Apr 2011

There are 2 answers to this question, both will confuse you...

Yes and NO.

Yes, you can move a non registry defined application to another computer by copying the contents of a program directory to another computer.

No, you can NOT move a registry defined application to another computer.

Registry defined: An application that installs and relies on registry keys to function.

Software that claims registry defined applications will transfer over:

Google

rimutaka · 04 Apr 2011

Mike,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

So, what is the best way to copy/transfer the applications between the hard drives?

Thanks

DeaconFrost · 04 Apr 2011

rimutaka said:

So, what is the best way to copy/transfer the applications between the hard drives?

That's exactly what you asked in the first post, and was told isn't possible. The best way is to reinstall them on the second drive computer. If they are legal, legit apps, you'll have the install media, or the ability to redownload the installer files.

Mike Connor · 04 Apr 2011

rimutaka said:

Mike,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

So, what is the best way to copy/transfer the applications between the hard drives?

Thanks

There is no normal way to simply copy installed applications to anywhere else.

Installed applications rely on registry and other system entries, it is simply not possible to copy all this to another drive or another system, and it would not work even if you could. Installed applications will only run on the system where they are installed. Once installed they are effectively integrated into the system.

There are various tricks which sometimes work, but mostly don't, and they would cause insuperable problems for a normal user. Trying to do things like this can also easily crash your system.

Regards.....Mike Connor

GEWB · 04 Apr 2011

If you are setting up a new replacement hard drive, use the new drive utility to make the copy (and hope it works 100%). If you are adding a new drive (add, not replace) and want to move some applications from the "old" drive to the "new" drive, then read the posts above - not going to work if the apps are registered.

Regards,
GEWB