Possible to create an install disk from an installed app you lost thedisk for?

[The Dark One]

If you have an app installed but the install disk is nowhere to be
found, is it possible to create an install disk from the installed
program? If it's possible to un-install it - i.e. remove the app and
all associated registry entries, .dll's etc, shouldn't it be possible
to gather up all pertinent data from the machine to re-install it?

Thanks

 

[Dave]

If you have an app installed but the install disk is nowhere to be
found, is it possible to create an install disk from the installed
program? If it's possible to un-install it - i.e. remove the app and
all associated registry entries, .dll's etc, shouldn't it be possible
to gather up all pertinent data from the machine to re-install it?

Thanks

Tell ya what. Take a bucket of sand. Dump the sand all over the living
room carpet. Now take a pair of tweezers and, using only the pair of
tweezers, put all the sand back in the bucket.

Or the short answer...NO!!!

It amazes me that this isn't the first time I've heard someone ask this
question, though. -Dave

 

[pongespob]

Tell ya what. Take a bucket of sand. Dump the sand all over the living
room carpet. Now take a pair of tweezers and, using only the pair of
tweezers, put all the sand back in the bucket.

Or the short answer...NO!!!

The actual useful part is short, you used far more bandwidth to
display the condescending attitude that seems a common affliction
among certain geeks.

It amazes me that this isn't the first time I've heard someone ask this
question, though. -Dave

It amazes me that someone who fancies themselves to be so ****ing
brilliant can't conceive of why someone might ask this.

 

[relic]

If you have an app installed but the install disk is nowhere to be
found, is it possible to create an install disk from the installed
program? If it's possible to un-install it - i.e. remove the app and
all associated registry entries, .dll's etc, shouldn't it be possible
to gather up all pertinent data from the machine to re-install it?

Thanks

Usually not, but you may be able to download the app in a "Trial Version"
from the vendor and install using your old key.

 

[NT]

If you have an app installed but the install disk is nowhere to be
found, is it possible to create an install disk from the installed
program? If it's possible to un-install it - i.e. remove the app and
all associated registry entries, .dll's etc, shouldn't it be possible
to gather up all pertinent data from the machine to re-install it?

Thanks

If we move from theoretical to practical, simply copying the program's
folder and dumping a copy back into C:/Program Files, or wherever it
is on another machine, often works, and often doesnt.


NT

 

[DL]

And only works with the most basic of apps

If you have an app installed but the install disk is nowhere to be
found, is it possible to create an install disk from the installed
program? If it's possible to un-install it - i.e. remove the app and
all associated registry entries, .dll's etc, shouldn't it be possible
to gather up all pertinent data from the machine to re-install it?

Thanks

If we move from theoretical to practical, simply copying the program's
folder and dumping a copy back into C:/Program Files, or wherever it
is on another machine, often works, and often doesnt.


NT

 

[philo]

If we move from theoretical to practical, simply copying the program's
folder and dumping a copy back into C:/Program Files, or wherever it
is on another machine, often works, and often doesnt.


NT

Unless it's a fairly simple program...
just copying over will not work due to the usually numerous registry
entries.

In theory one could export, one by one...the registry keys...
then import them...

but it's kind of like the previously mentioned "sand" analogy

 

[NT]

If we move from theoretical to practical, simply copying the program's
folder and dumping a copy back into C:/Program Files, or wherever it
is on another machine, often works, and often doesnt.

NT

And only works with the most basic of apps

works with quite a lot. No hope with bloatware though


NT

 

[Corday]

This cats been gone for 5 years. Looks like he was parolled or somethig.