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

[JohnAtanasoff]

Is there a software allowing you not not to re-install programs in my separate D: drive upon windows 7 reinstall?

Some apps still work after windows reinstall; other don't!
A software that copies registry entries and other needed files and puts them back in after a clean install.


My C: SSD is for windows and apps that are native to C drive.

Most of my other apps are in my separate D: drive.

 

[Layback Bear]

When you do a clean install of Windows 7 their should not be any 3rd party programs installed. When you do the install their should only be the destination drive installed. If you are using a DVD of course it will also have to be hooked up.


Exactly what programs are you referring to?

Looking at your previous threads it could be I.E. 11.
I would suggest not removing Internet Explorer.

Could you complete this tutorial by Golden so we can have a look at things.
It will give us a better idea of what you have.

Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image - Windows 7 Help Forums

Jack

 

[JohnAtanasoff]

Jack,

I am referring to 3rd party apps!
I have most of them installed in my separate D: drive!

Disk Management capture attached!

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm not understanding your problem.

If you are wanting to do a Clean Install on Disk '0' and Disk '1' is disconnected, how in the world are you getting the programs that are on Disk '1' partition 'D' included with your install of Windows 7 on Disk '0'?

No 3rd party programs are installed when doing a Clean Install.
-------------------
Now if your question is how to get your 3rd party programs on your Disk '0' after you have completed your Clean Install, the answer is simple.
Do fresh/clean install of the programs you desire to your 'C' partition on Disk '0'.

I see Disk '1' has a lot of data. You can plug it back in if you desire.
Personally I leave all Drives not in use unplugged except my DVD player.
If you normally use Drive '1' a lot you can keep it plugged in.
If Drive '1' is used for your backups, I would keep it unplugged unless using it.
It keep you data safer.


Jack

 

[JohnAtanasoff]

Jack,

It's not a problem!
It's a question!

You didn't understand!

C: (drive 0) is dedicated for windows mostly and a few apps! When i install windows, it's obvious its going to wipe out C: drive.

D: (drive 1) is another internal "separate" drive on my Desktop. it's where i have documents and most applications.

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?

I am asking if there is a solution for that?

 

[Layback Bear]

Nothing will change on Drive '1' if it's not hooked up when you install Windows 7, period.
Yes, their is a chance that problems can occur if you have Drive '1' hooked up when you install Windows 7 on Drive'0'.
That is why I posted to have it unhooked when installing Windows 7.

I know of no better way other than installing programs clean,fresh, new after a Clean Install.
Many times when moving a program from one drive, (where it is saved) to a Clean Install drive, I have problems with that program. So I always install all programs fresh/new on the drive I just installed Windows 7 on.

If this doesn't answer you question another member will have to; because we are not on the same page.

Jack.

 

[JohnAtanasoff]

I def appreciate you, and your help!

But you are complicating

C will be wiped out! And whatever is to be on it will be installed clean! This is the standard process. So i won't be copying apps from another drive to C.

What i am talking about here is my D: (drive 1) HD! Because the program registry entries are linked to the C drive, that's where regedit is, in "C:\Windows". When windows is re installed the links break!

And because i can be picky and spend much time tweaking and configuring software like cubase to my liking; it's a pain in the ass to install and tweak everything again. That's all i am talking about! And yes i have all this stuff in my D drive.
I would like to know if there is some solution for that. Some software to make the programs work again without having to install everything again.


I am by no means acting like i'm outsmarting you or whatever; it's normal you do things and think differently when it comes to computers. But do you understand it now? If not, would be great if you can hook another gold member like you on the thread. Maybe he will get it.


Trust me there are many simple concepts i don't grasp or understand at times. So no one is better here

 

[Layback Bear]

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

 

[RolandJS]

+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.

 

[Barman58]

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

 

[JohnAtanasoff]

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!

+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!

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]

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]

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]

"...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]

"...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]

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]

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]

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]

Thank you all for answering my request for help!

Jack

 

[Anak]

You're welcome Jack.