moving programs, settings, registry entries, to a new Win7 install

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  1. Posts : 2,465
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #11

    But the settings are NOT stored within program files, and has nothing to do with the installer. Each one saves them in a different place. The best bet is to look for an option to export/import in each software. Otherwise, appdata under your profile seems a good place to start, but once again, unless it's of critical importance, I won't lose a lot of time about it anyway.
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  2. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #12

    One option (for future reference) would be to see if the programs you want to use have "portable" versions.
    They don't demand Registry integration to work correctly.
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  3. Posts : 797
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64)
       #13

    This is an inherent problem with the whole Registry idea. I use some programs that are ported to Windows from Unix (things like emacs, etc.) and they store their settings in resource files, just like in Unix. It's very easy to migrate those to a new installation - you just copy those small text files and the program behaves as you want it to. Firefox keeps its settings in separate files as well. However, many "true" Windows programs, such as Microsoft Office really keep a lot of stuff in the Registry. These I would reinstall and not bother with copying and transferring as it will only create problems. The Registry tends to get "old" on its own and although Windows 7 is much better with dealing with it as compared to the previous versions of Windows, a new install is always more efficient than an old one.
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  4. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #14

    Unifex -- After looking at your Avatar for a few seconds, I became dizzy and almost feel out of my chair.
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  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #15

    bigmck said:
    Unifex -- After looking at your Avatar for a few seconds, I became dizzy and almost feel out of my chair.
    If you read the forum with the IE, you can stop the Avatar movement with ESC. Unfortunately that does not work with other browsers.
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  6. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #16

    Thanks WHS -- I did not know that. I don't have IE, but is still and interesting tidbit.
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  7. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #17

    I solve the problem the old fashion way.

    I just bypass the post with the moving avatar and move on to the one under it.

    Back to jd213 question.

    My preferred method is after a Clean Install I install all programs new and fresh on my "C" partation.
    Of course it takes longer but a lot less longer than it does to fix/repair programs that didn't transfer properly.
    Unless one is lucky.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #18

    Remember to create at least one backup HDD/SSD image, once you have got the system setup the way you want.

    Restoring a backup image on your PC (re-imaging) takes a lot less time than reinstalling everything. :)

    Tutorials
    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
    Imaging with free Macrium
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit, Japanese version
    Thread Starter
       #19

    Yeah, I'm definitely going to be doing that more often. I figured I'd get around to it eventually, but my system seemed pretty stable so I guess I was never worried about it. Just because I'm not paranoid, doesn't mean Microsoft can't find a way to kill my PC...
      My Computer


 
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