unneeded program archival

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dme248422

Is it possible to to move/remove programs/apps from the HDD to CD for
reinstall at a later date when wanted or needed? I have a Lenovo X200 with
XP Pro. Thanks.
 
Leonard Grey said:
A program installation can't be moved from place to place. If you want
to move a program from one computer to another you uninstall it from
computer 'a' and reinstall it on computer 'b'.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp
Click to expand...
Leonard, Thank you for the response. Is it possible to do what you
suggest with preinstalled programs/apps/software for which there is no
installtion CD; and how would that be accomplished? Thank you!
 
dme248422 said:
Leonard, Thank you for the response. Is it possible to do what you
suggest with preinstalled programs/apps/software for which there is no
installtion CD; and how would that be accomplished? Thank you!
Click to expand...

There is no guaranteed, surefire way. I'd suggest trying to get the
installation media somehow or other - what was it that wasn't provided with
a method of reinstallation? Is the program legitimately yours?

When I've been in this situation, this can sometimes work - say for example,
the program is "Really Useful App" by "RinkyDink Solutions, Inc."

1) Via thumb drive, network, crossover cable, CD etc copy over the
application's folder, eg C:\Program Files\RUA, from computer A to computer
B. Note where the shortcut(s) on A point to, copy or reproduce them on B,
see if the program works - it just might. (Don't forget to enable viewing of
hidden and of system files.)

2) If doing that throws up any error messages about missing files, locate
them on A and copy to B. If files are DLLs, they might need registering.

3) Search through the registry on A for any entries with names remotely
resembling anything to do with "Really Useful App", starting with the most
distinctive - eg "really useful app", "really", "useful" (but not "app" or
you'll get more results than you can shake a very large stick at), "rua",
"rinkydink", maybe "solutions". Reproduce these entries on B and try again.
In your registry search, tick searching for Keys, Value and Data, but not
"Match whole string only". The usual registry work caveats apply (care,
backups). If you're not happy footling around in the registry then don't!

4) Search A for any other files that might need copying - eg .ini files,
particularly in C:\Windows and its subfolders. Maybe run the program, make a
small change to its options/settings, then search for recently-changed .ini
files, eg rua.ini. (Then reverse the change.) I'd recommend using Agent
Ransack for searching rather than XP's built-in module as the latter needs
tweaking to make its results (or lack of) reliable:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack. Copy any such files, test again.

As I say, there's no guarantee; there could well be obscurely-named or
encrypted registry entries that you've no hope of finding (eg related to
licensing). Well, you *could* try running the app with a registry-monitoring
tool... If you *do* get it working, then on your archival CD you'll need all
the files you copied as well as a note of the registry entries you made.

That's what I'd do - good luck!
 
Is it possible to to move/remove programs/apps from the HDD to CD for
reinstall at a later date when wanted or needed?
Click to expand...


No. You can't do what you state.

However, what you can do is to burn the folder containing the exe
file(s) of the program to a CD, then delete the folder from the hard
drive. That's not the entire program of course, and all the components
within the registry and elsewhere within the Windows folder are still
there.

You can't *reinstall* the program from the CD, but you can copy the
folder back to the hard drive in the future, and that should make the
program work again.

What I suggest above is possible, but it's not entirely risk-free. You
need to be very careful not to run any utilities that find the
registry entries or other files within \windows and delete them
because the folder you deleted isn't present.

Or you could just uninstall the programs from the control panel, then
reinstall them from the original media when you want them again.
That's a much safer method.

Why do you want to do this? There's no real advantage, except for
saving the amount of disk space the program uses. If that's your
reason, if I were in your shoes, I would instead buy and install a
second disk drive, and leave all the programs you might want in the
future installed. It's a much better and longer-lasting solution, it's
easier and safer, and hard drives are very inexpensive at the moment.
 
Olórin said:
There is no guaranteed, surefire way. I'd suggest trying to get the
installation media somehow or other - what was it that wasn't provided with
a method of reinstallation? Is the program legitimately yours?

When I've been in this situation, this can sometimes work - say for example,
the program is "Really Useful App" by "RinkyDink Solutions, Inc."

1) Via thumb drive, network, crossover cable, CD etc copy over the
application's folder, eg C:\Program Files\RUA, from computer A to computer
B. Note where the shortcut(s) on A point to, copy or reproduce them on B,
see if the program works - it just might. (Don't forget to enable viewing of
hidden and of system files.)

2) If doing that throws up any error messages about missing files, locate
them on A and copy to B. If files are DLLs, they might need registering.

3) Search through the registry on A for any entries with names remotely
resembling anything to do with "Really Useful App", starting with the most
distinctive - eg "really useful app", "really", "useful" (but not "app" or
you'll get more results than you can shake a very large stick at), "rua",
"rinkydink", maybe "solutions". Reproduce these entries on B and try again.
In your registry search, tick searching for Keys, Value and Data, but not
"Match whole string only". The usual registry work caveats apply (care,
backups). If you're not happy footling around in the registry then don't!

4) Search A for any other files that might need copying - eg .ini files,
particularly in C:\Windows and its subfolders. Maybe run the program, make a
small change to its options/settings, then search for recently-changed .ini
files, eg rua.ini. (Then reverse the change.) I'd recommend using Agent
Ransack for searching rather than XP's built-in module as the latter needs
tweaking to make its results (or lack of) reliable:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack. Copy any such files, test again.

As I say, there's no guarantee; there could well be obscurely-named or
encrypted registry entries that you've no hope of finding (eg related to
licensing). Well, you *could* try running the app with a registry-monitoring
tool... If you *do* get it working, then on your archival CD you'll need all
the files you copied as well as a note of the registry entries you made.

That's what I'd do - good luck!
Click to expand...
HI, Yes, it's a new laptop that came with some apps preinstalled; I guess
that means they;re mine. I am trying to get some HDD space. I intend to put
my music CD collection on it and hook up to my stereo for playing. As usual,
there are all kinds of programs that are not needed or wanted by every user.
Those are what iI'm tyring to remove but not lose; I paid for 'em. one takes
up 214MB. Thanks for the response and any other help you can render!
 
Leonard Grey said:
You need to have the installation CD or DVD, or a copy of the installer
program on your hard disk (that you can burn to a CD).
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp
Click to expand...

Hi Leonard, I would think most apps come with an installer, so I'll look
for those. Also when a program is uninstalled using "add and remove
programs"; is it true that it is not really off one's computer using files in
"Program Files"? I believe I read that on a post somewhere very recently.
Thank for your help.
 
When something is uninstalled, it's no longer on your computer. It's
true that uninstallers sometimes leave behind some registry entries and
the occasional file, but you cannot reinstall the program from the remains.

For all but the very simplest of programs, you need the installer to
install a program.

When programs come pre-installed on a computer, you may or may not
receive installation media for the software, depending on the OEM's
license agreement with the program's creators.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp
 
Leonard Grey said:
When something is uninstalled, it's no longer on your computer. It's
true that uninstallers sometimes leave behind some registry entries and
the occasional file, but you cannot reinstall the program from the remains.

For all but the very simplest of programs, you need the installer to
install a program.

When programs come pre-installed on a computer, you may or may not
receive installation media for the software, depending on the OEM's
license agreement with the program's creators.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp
Click to expand...

Thanks so much, Leonard! Take care.
 
Ken Blake said:
No. You can't do what you state.

However, what you can do is to burn the folder containing the exe
file(s) of the program to a CD, then delete the folder from the hard
drive. That's not the entire program of course, and all the components
within the registry and elsewhere within the Windows folder are still
there.

You can't *reinstall* the program from the CD, but you can copy the
folder back to the hard drive in the future, and that should make the
program work again.

What I suggest above is possible, but it's not entirely risk-free. You
need to be very careful not to run any utilities that find the
registry entries or other files within \windows and delete them
because the folder you deleted isn't present.

Or you could just uninstall the programs from the control panel, then
reinstall them from the original media when you want them again.
That's a much safer method.

Why do you want to do this? There's no real advantage, except for
saving the amount of disk space the program uses. If that's your
reason, if I were in your shoes, I would instead buy and install a
second disk drive, and leave all the programs you might want in the
future installed. It's a much better and longer-lasting solution, it's
easier and safer, and hard drives are very inexpensive at the moment.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Ken!
 
dme248422 said:
HI, Yes, it's a new laptop that came with some apps preinstalled; I guess
that means they;re mine. I am trying to get some HDD space. I intend to
put
my music CD collection on it and hook up to my stereo for playing. As
usual,
there are all kinds of programs that are not needed or wanted by every
user.
Those are what iI'm tyring to remove but not lose; I paid for 'em. one
takes
up 214MB. Thanks for the response and any other help you can render!
Click to expand...

You're welcome. Bundled with a new laptop, you should have the means of
reinstalling these app(s) - although I suppose that might only be part of a
complete system recovery, returning your machine (destructively) to the
state in which you bought it. Try browsing through all CDs/DVDs your laptop
came with; there might be a folder or subfolder with installation files
there.

I don't really have any other help beyond that. Do you have CDs or not? -
it's not clear. The seller should certainly at least have provided you with
some means of reinstalling XP. (If this is from CDs that *you* need to
create from tools on the laptop, I'd suggest doing that now!)

re your other: "Also when a program is uninstalled using "add and remove
programs"; is it true that it is not really off one's computer using files
in "Program Files"? I believe I read that on a post somewhere very
recently." Beyond Leonard's reply, could it be that you're misremembering a
comment you read about deleted files not "really" being off your computer?
To expand on this slightly: when a file is deleted (or a program
uninstalled), there is a chance it can be recovered with special tools,
until such a time as the space it occupies on your hard disk be overwritten
by something else. But this is not something to rely on - certainly not for
your purposes (software archival).
 
For some small programs totally installed in their folder, you could use the
utility named "Change of Adress" or COA2. It can relocate all shortcuts,
registry entries it finds to the new location of the software, should you
move from C:\HERE to D:\HERE-AND-THEN for example

However it cannot deal with:
- parts of the program that installs in system folders(
c:\programsfiles\common files\... etc)
- with dlls or other parts that are in windows (sub)folders

So it only works with some programs.
You have to move the files yourself from odl to new place. the software only
does the modifications to the windows environment to adjust for that move.

Have regularly used it when I repartitionned my drives, and it works well,
given the restrictions above.

Phil
 
For some small programs totally installed in their folder, you could use the
utility named "Change of Adress" or COA2. It can relocate all shortcuts,
registry entries it finds to the new location of the software, should you
move from C:\HERE to D:\HERE-AND-THEN for example

However it cannot deal with:
- parts of the program that installs in system folders(
c:\programsfiles\common files\... etc)
- with dlls or other parts that are in windows (sub)folders

So it only works with some programs.
You have to move the files yourself from odl to new place. the software only
does the modifications to the windows environment to adjust for that move.

Have regularly used it when I repartitionned my drives, and it works well,
given the restrictions above.
Click to expand...


Two points:

1. I've used COA2 to do as you suggest, and I have found it very
unreliable. It works as you say, but only with some programs, and
misses some of the entries for others, leaving those programs
unusable. For that reason, I recommend against its use.

2. What he asked for was not relocating programs from one place on
his hard drive to another, but uninstalling them to a CD, so he can
reinstall them later. COA2 doesn't do this kind of thing at all.
 
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