Windows 7: Moving progams out of the Windows.old file

Hello,
I just installed Windows 7 Starter on my laptop (I had Windows Vista) and I am wondering how I cam move programs from the Windows.old folder to the actual laptop? I know I can move personal files, but I don't know how to move the actual programs.
If I can't then, I have Windows Office 2007 installed on, so when I go to install Windows Office again will I be able to use the same serial key as before or will I have to get a new serial key?

Welcome to the Seven Forums, Howlin1.

You can not re-install a program from the files in your Windows.old directory. You can copy the executables over, but that will likely cause problems. The best option is to install the software as you did originally. As for Microsoft Office, you should be able to use the same serial key, because you are still on the same machine, and your old installation is inactive.

Hope this helps. -Brice

You'll have to reinstall programs, but your keys should be good. In the worst case you might have to call MS and explain that you reinstalled Windows.

You can move some program settings once the program has been reinstalled. Settings which require a registry change will have to be redone manually but overwriting something like "settings.ini" in a program folder should work, assuming you've reinstalled the same version as before.

EDIT: BriceH is a faster typist than me.

Thanks. My next question is how do I go about uninstalling a program from the Windows.old folder? Or do I just delete the folder the program is in? Also how do I delete the Windows.old folder (once I know for certain that I have everything I need from it)?

Click on Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disc Cleanup/

At the dialog box that appears, select the drive that has Windows.old on it and click OK.

Let the system scan for files to be cleaned up then click Clean Up System Files. When the next dialog box appears, carry out another scan on the drive that contains the Windows.old folder.

You'll then see a list of check boxes in another dialog box so check the box labeled Older Versions of Windows then click OK.

If you still have an empty Windows.old folder after the above, just right-click the folder and hit delete.