Copying files to Program Files directory

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Guest

I am trying to transfer my files from my old computer to my new computer with
the Vista operating system. However whenever I try to transfer files from
the Program Files directory of my old computer to the new one I get an Access
denied error. I have set the Program Files directory to be share on both the
new and old computer and I removed the Read Only option from the directory on
both computers. What do I have to do in order to copy files from the Program
Files directory of my old computer to the new one with Vista?
Dave
 
Parrot said:
I am trying to transfer my files from my old computer to my new computer with
the Vista operating system. However whenever I try to transfer files from
the Program Files directory of my old computer to the new one I get an Access
denied error. I have set the Program Files directory to be share on both the
new and old computer and I removed the Read Only option from the directory on
both computers. What do I have to do in order to copy files from the Program
Files directory of my old computer to the new one with Vista?
Dave
Click to expand...

What kind of files do you need to put in the Program Files directory? In
Vista, the Program Files directory is protected and not meant to be used
for user data. Use a folder in your User Directory
(C:\Users\Your-Account\Document, etc.) instead.


Malke
 
The files I am trying to transfer are program application files which belong
in the Program Files directory. The installation programs for some of my
applications are lost or can't be found and I want to transfer the
applications to the Program Files directory without having to re-install them
thru Vista. I tried using the Transfer program from Vista but it gets hung
up and never does end. I am trying to mirror my new computer to my old one
but that looks almost impossible.
Dave
 
Parrot said:
The files I am trying to transfer are program application files which belong
in the Program Files directory. The installation programs for some of my
applications are lost or can't be found and I want to transfer the
applications to the Program Files directory without having to re-install them
thru Vista. I tried using the Transfer program from Vista but it gets hung
up and never does end. I am trying to mirror my new computer to my old one
but that looks almost impossible.
Click to expand...

I see. Unfortunately, you can't just transfer programs that way. You
need to get the installation programs and install them on your new
system. There isn't any way around this.


Malke
 
In message <#[email protected]> Malke
I see. Unfortunately, you can't just transfer programs that way. You
need to get the installation programs and install them on your new
system. There isn't any way around this.
Click to expand...

That all depends on how poorly written the app is. If the app is fully
self contained, or has a documented list of dependencies, it's fairly
trivial to move applications manually.
 
DevilsPGD said:
In message <#[email protected]> Malke


That all depends on how poorly written the app is. If the app is fully
self contained, or has a documented list of dependencies, it's fairly
trivial to move applications manually.
Click to expand...

Well, I haven't seen any programs written for a 32-bit Windows operating
system that will transfer. There's just too much stuff in the Registry.
If you have, please do tell us which ones will do this and maybe that
will help the OP.


Malke
 
In message <[email protected]> Malke
Well, I haven't seen any programs written for a 32-bit Windows operating
system that will transfer. There's just too much stuff in the Registry.
If you have, please do tell us which ones will do this and maybe that
will help the OP.
Click to expand...

The short list of apps on my machine that can be moved without being
"installed" would be:

JPSoft's TakeCommand
JPSoft's 4NT
unison
Firefox
Thunderbird
pidgin (formerly known as gaim)
Agent (NNTP and email client)
Foxit (PDF reader)
putty (SSH and telnet client)
FastStone Image Viewer
FastStone Screen Capture
Media Player Classic
ComAgent
imgBurn
QuickPAR
RocketDock
USBDLM
VideoLAN
vncviewer
WinRAR

Aside from Microsoft programs, and programs that include drivers or run
as services, very little actually needs an install.
 
I know that I was able to transfer some programs from one XP system to
another XP system before without having to do an install. Is Vista different
in that respect? What kind of logic allows an install program to update the
Program Files directory but not a file transfer? I think there is overkill
on the security issue with Vista. It is getting too damn complicated to do
anything on computers any more. Why not make things easier?
Dave
 
In message <[email protected]> Parrot
I know that I was able to transfer some programs from one XP system to
another XP system before without having to do an install. Is Vista different
in that respect? What kind of logic allows an install program to update the
Program Files directory but not a file transfer? I think there is overkill
on the security issue with Vista. It is getting too damn complicated to do
anything on computers any more. Why not make things easier?
Click to expand...

The problem is that ease of use and security are directly opposite
goals. That being said, all you have to do is start your file transfer
as an administrator, simply right click on your file transfer app and
choose "Run as administrator"

This doesn't work for Explorer, but it works for everything else. For
Explorer, copy the files to your desktop first, then copy them to the
Program Files directory afterward, Explorer will automatically prompt to
elevate.
 
Thanks for the advice on how to transfer the files to the Program Directory.
I realize that security and ease of use are inversely related but if all one
has to do is right click to Run as Administrator that doesn't seem like much
of a security but it still requires that extra click. I assume then that
only the Administrator has this option. When I installed the Vista system I
thought that I was the Administrator yet it treats me like a regular user
even though I am registered as the Administrator. If I am the administrator
I should be able to dictate the level of security and complexity I want for
myself and for other users.
Dave
 
Hi, Dave.
I realize that security and ease of use are inversely related but if all
one
has to do is right click to Run as Administrator that doesn't seem like
much
of a security but it still requires that extra click.
Click to expand...

You apparently (like me) have a blank password for the Administrator, so it
takes ONLY a click. If you DO create a password for that level user, then
"Run as Administrator" would take more than "that extra click". Anyone
trying to Run as Administrator would have to know that password and enter
it. For folks like me (and you?) who are the only users of our computers in
our homes, the extra security level does seem unnecessary - but it can be a
lifesaver (well, a computer-saver) sometimes.

My frustration level with UAC (User Access Control) was very high during the
Vista beta period, when I was reinstalling the newest Vista build - and all
my applications - every month or two. And then I had to do it all again
when Vista went RTM - and again when I upgraded my motherboard/CPU, etc., in
December and had to reinstall RTM. But, after a month or so, when all my
apps were finally installed and running, the UAC prompts became fewer and
farther between. Now, I see them only when I'm trying to do truly Admin
things, like running Disk Management to format a volume, or running an
Admin-level Command Prompt to handle some gut-level job. Now, it is only a
minor nuisance, and worth the trade-off for security.

Maybe I haven't paid much attention to the restrictions on the Program Files
(and Program Files (x86) in a 64-bit WinXP or Vista) folder because most of
my apps that don't require formal installation are not in that folder.
Family Tree Maker, for example, is in E:\FTW. Quicken is in E:\QuickenW on
my computer, even though it does require installation; I just tell its setup
program to do a Custom install and browse to the folder I want to use,
keeping it out of Program Files.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta in Vista Ultimate x64)
 
In message <[email protected]> Parrot
Thanks for the advice on how to transfer the files to the Program Directory.
I realize that security and ease of use are inversely related but if all one
has to do is right click to Run as Administrator that doesn't seem like much
of a security but it still requires that extra click.
Click to expand...

The point is that it stops an application from making system-wide
changes on your behalf, without your permission.
I assume then that
only the Administrator has this option.
Click to expand...

No, all users do -- But if a user isn't already an administrator, they
need to authenticate with an administrative username/password before
proceeding.
When I installed the Vista system I
thought that I was the Administrator yet it treats me like a regular user
even though I am registered as the Administrator.
Click to expand...

That's the point. You shouldn't be using the system as an
administrator, you should be using it as a user except when you need the
additional rights.
If I am the administrator
I should be able to dictate the level of security and complexity I want for
myself and for other users.
Click to expand...

You can and do -- Take a look at the available group policies for this
control.
 
<snip>
Parrot said:
Thanks for the advice on how to transfer the files to the Program
Directory.
I realize that security and ease of use are inversely related but if all
one
has to do is right click to Run as Administrator that doesn't seem like
much
of a security but it still requires that extra click. I assume then that
only the Administrator has this option. When I installed the Vista system
I
thought that I was the Administrator yet it treats me like a regular user
even though I am registered as the Administrator. If I am the
administrator
I should be able to dictate the level of security and complexity I want
for
myself and for other users.
Dave
Click to expand...

Dave

That one click that gives a program or process permission to make system
wide changes is very important. When you initiate a program, the screen goes
dark (Secure Destop) and a dialog pops up asking for your permission to
continue (UAC prompt). This makes it impossible for anything else to
interact with the system until you give the OK by clicking continue.

Without this prompt, it is very easy for a malicious program to spoof your
admin account and run, in the background, without you even being aware that
it is doing it's dirty deeds.

You won't really appreciate this 'nagging' until you are reading a web page
and then, out of nowhere, you get a prompt stating "mrbadboy.exe" needs your
permission to run "formatyourharddrive.vbs" Continue?

All of the new security layers in Vista are based on the Least User Account
principle which loosely defined means that a user account should only
operate with the basic permissions required to complete normal, everyday
tasks that affect only their user account. If a process needs to be
initiated that makes system wide changes which effects all users, then this
process needs to be intentionally initiated by a user with administrator
privileges.
 
Malke said:
Well, I haven't seen any programs written for a 32-bit Windows operating
system that will transfer. There's just too much stuff in the Registry.
If you have, please do tell us which ones will do this and maybe that
will help the OP.
Click to expand...

Malke, have you heard of 'portable' apps. These do not need
installation, they do not write to the registry, and have a tidy
self-contained environment of their own.
Have a look at: http://www.portablefreeware.com/about.php
 
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