Not re-installing programs in separate D: drive upon windows 7 install

JohnAtanasoff · 06 Apr 2017

Layback Bear said:

I think I got it.
You want to be sure programs that are on Drive '1' with all their tweaks will link up properly to Drive '0' after you install Windows 7.

In my experience some will and some won't. That is why I do fresh installs of such programs and redo the tweaks.
Don't worry their will be others by to voice/type their ideas and experiences.

I will put in a request to other members for their input.

Jack

You got it! And it wouldn't be just for the tweaks but programs in general. Some take quite some time to install, and time is a precious asset

Thanks for hooking other cats!

RolandJS said:

+1 with Jack; the "original" Windows on C remembers quite a bit about what was installed on D, registry, shortcuts, etc. The clean install Windows will not have any of that "old memory" about anything installed on D. After your fresh reinstall, very likely, even though everything on D is untouched, unchanged, you will have re-educate [very probably via 3rd party program re-installs] the "new" C Windows about the stuff that was installed on D. I have to hurry off to PE class, I hope I read the thread correctly.

You got it!

Barman58 said:

There are two Possible solutions to what you wish to do - Neither of which are simple or guaranteed to work. It may be possible to slipstream the programs you want into the install media used for windows - This is done in many large multinational companies where Images are used to create the system software and all the software needed for the work performed in a single install, which is then loaded onto hundreds or thousands of systems . There are tutorials available for the methods of producing these media but I'm not sure if the large amount of work involved would be worth it as it would likely take considerably longer to set-up that what you are doing at present.

One thing that may work is to export the Registry branches for the software (that set's the location and special settings) and re-install these after a standard regular re-install. The possible data stored other than in the Registry would need to be considered to.

All of this would take a lot of research and it's possibility for success would depend on the information being available and someone having the time and will to get things done - I've seen similar re-install augmentation done with program like the Firefox browser, which has all it's main settings in a profile file which makes thins easier

You are right, the large amount of work involved might not be worth it as it might take considerably longer to set-up that what i am doing at present.

I just thought there was some Cutting Edge Software available to take care of this quickly. Maybe there is, but i am not aware off. If any of you guys finds out something let me know!

I am sure this has been thought, but the market need might be too small, for such a niche :)

Anak · 06 Apr 2017

This might be what you're looking for: Linkmaker for Windows It's not elegant, but it's used to create shortcut, symbolic links and NTFS hard links / junction points, one thing I noticed is you have to do each connection separately I saw no option for batch operation. look at the bottom of the linkmaker page for alternatives.

There may be better options on the google search page I used to find linkmaker.

Here's search variations on a theme:
Hard Links
Symlinks and Hardlinks

ICIT2LOL · 06 Apr 2017

Installing windows will not change anything in D: drive, apart that many programs in it will not work with the new windows install. They need to be re installed! You understand?

Now I am probably missing something here because not being any expert and the thread is somwhat confusing throughout but I really am not sure what you mean by what is in the quote.

The programs on the secondary drive did they work in Windows when you had the original install up and running - if so then why will they not now??

To me that is like buying an identical model of your car and then taking the wheels of it and putting them on the same model car only the second car is just a new one??

RolandJS · 06 Apr 2017

"...To me that is like buying an identical model of your car and then taking the wheels of it and putting them on the same model car only the second car is just a new one??" If I read correctly, the new car would not have the radio presets, the GPS presets, and other presets that the original car had.

ICIT2LOL · 06 Apr 2017

RolandJS said:

"...To me that is like buying an identical model of your car and then taking the wheels of it and putting them on the same model car only the second car is just a new one??" If I read correctly, the new car would not have the radio presets, the GPS presets, and other presets that the original car had.

He he yep I guess you have a point but if you had those presets stored somewhere surely they would and could still work with the new car if you hooked up the storage device to the new car??

I am missing something I know but again if the storage worked with the original install and the new install is exactly the same as the original one only it is squeaky clean now then why can't the storage be worked with the new install??

I think I had better leave this one to you folks I am just too logical for my own good

Barman58 · 07 Apr 2017

What some users do is to use an imaging system to create a quicker re-installation "Experience"

Using something like Macrium Reflect or one of several image based backup systems, you create an image backup of all parts of the system, (in your case the contents of both the 0 and 1 disks), when it is working how you want it - If you need to re-install you simply clear the system and re-install the images

To enable this you would need access to a suitable Hard drive to take the Image files, so it would have to be at least as large as the used space on both disks ( plus a bit more for safety) It would be best if this was an external drive for convenience, and kept at another location to cover for disaster recovery, (fire or theft).

These Disks are easily available for "reasonable" amounts and the software is available for free or low cost, you would have to periodically re-create the images as software evolves, OS and other programs, but could reduce an interim re-install due to virus, or other catastrophic loss from Days or weeks to minutes or hours :)

RoasterMen · 07 Apr 2017

I believe some programs that were installed in the different partition should work. I said "some" because some programs will work but in an unstable way or would work fine but will start like it was newly installed.

RolandJS · 07 Apr 2017

I follow you now, ICIT2LOL, I got it; we are both correct -- once the new install gets the presets -- all is good to go!

Layback Bear · 07 Apr 2017

Thank you all for answering my request for help!

Jack

Anak · 07 Apr 2017

You're welcome Jack.