Windows 7: Windows 7 reinstall - programs on another drive not in Start Menu

Due to a windows crash, I had to reinstall windows 7 (64 bit). My windows files in on an SSD and most all of my programs are on another SATA drive. The windows install went through, but none of the programs from the other drive show up when I click on the start button/all programs (somewhat understandable). Is there any quick way to get all of the programs (office, photoshop, etc.) that are on my D drive to appear where you click on "all programs"?

Also, can I just delete my windows.old folder from my C drive to free up space? Any reason it is needed? Do I just delete it?



Thanks for any assistance you may provide. Greatly appreciated!!!

Welcome Teb2500 to the windows 7 forums.

A serious problem with your reinstall of Windows is that it created a brand new windows directory with it's associated files. like the dll's in system32 and such.
When you install an application, it has to install some of its parts in the windows C drive and then put it's shortcuts in the programs directory.

Sorry but your out of luck with getting them to run without a complete re-install of your applications.

Rich

Thanks Rich. I'll try to reinstall all of the programs and hope that works!

I have not done this yet, but plan to install the W7OS on a SSd and programs on another sata drive. I also plan to clone the W7OS so that in the event of an SSD failure, I would be back in operation by "recloning" to the SSD and the program links etc would be there??? Have not decided if it is worth installing programs on another drive or go ahead and put them on the 128GB SSD to start with. Data etc still on the sata drive??

I would place the Programs on the SSD as long as space holds out, but put your User data on a secondary HD since data will not benefit from the faster speed as will the programs.

Easiest method to move User data folders is to Cut and Paste each one to the HD, then rightclick to Add it to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums. Then whenever you click on Documents, Pictures, etc. everything will show up in one window. To move data which winds up in an SSD User folder, just drag it to the linked data HD folder for that library.

Save a backup image of the SSD to use in place of cloning in case of a drive failure or irreparable problems where the SSD isn't available to clone. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Thanks for the great tips.!! I am still hung up on the reason for an image rather than a clone drive. As it stands now, I keep a separate HDD as a clone now E: and in the event of a problem, 2 instances over 3 years, reboot to E: and I am up and running. Troubleshoot the original drive, format etc and then clone from the original E: to the original C:. Of course if the original C: has a non repairable failure, buy a new HDD/SSD. I cannot figure out why this same thing would not work on an SSD C:?? Thanks for any response.

Sorry if this seems to be a hijack from the OP, but just trying to figure a solution so that I would not have to do a reinstall as the OP had to do.

A backup clone drive IMO wastes a HD unnecessarily since you can store an image and if necessary reimage the HD or its replacement in 20 minutes: System Image Recovery

You also want your data backed up separately or sync'd so that you can copy it in after reimaging as you'd need to do using the clone. Keeping a separate HD data partition or sync'ing data to another HD can also accomplish this.

MS new Skydrive explorer app allows you to upload any files/folders placed within it to free storage in the cloud sync'd to any other devices for free. I moved my User folders there and have the exact same files on all of my machines with a copy stored in MS cloud. Skydrive: Ready for Prime Time!
User Folders - Change Default Location