Windows 7: How to install program files

tunesmith · 06 May 2009

How do I get the programs found in the old windows file to work. do they have to be re-installed, or can they be easily reactivated some how?

Thanks - Jim

Brink · 07 May 2009

Hello Jim and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sometimes you can just create a shortcut from that program's exe location, and use it to run the program from there. However, it's usually best to just reinstall the program.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

johngalt · 07 May 2009

In addition to what Brink said, in most cases when you install a program, it is not only copying files to a location under Program Files - it is also usually copying files to either somewhere in the windows tree (DLLs) or else somewhere in the users tree (Settings files). Without those in place there is a slightly better than even chance that your app simply will not work.

Even worse, though, is that almost *all* program write info to the registry, and those are usually more required for operation than the files can be - usually without the appropriate reg entries about 75% of programs will fail.

Therefore, the best bet is to simply re-install them.

YupYup · 07 May 2009

What about A Look at Improvements to Windows Easy Transfer for Win

tunesmith · 07 May 2009

Why then does Windows 7 create an old windows program file?

Brink · 07 May 2009

Tunesmith,

The Windows.old folder is the backed up contents of the previous OS that you have installed on top of. That's all.

Windows 7: How to install program files

How to install program files problems?