Backing up Programs?

[Buzle]

Hi,
I just got my copy of W7 Ultimate (Windows 7) edition in the mail today, and I am going to have to backup my current data (I do have quite a bit.) I was wondering if it was possible to actually 'backup' a program? I went into My Computer > OS (C:) > Program Files, and took the files from there, and dragged them onto my USB stick (to transfer the programs.) Since I dragged the entire folder (not "Program Files", but something like "Adobe PhotoShop CS3") onto my USB stick, and the data was duplicated, does that mean that I can now run PS CS3 on my W7 machine when I have the operating system installed?

If this is now how you backup programs, I also have DVDRs, if anyone would be so kind as to tell me how to do such a thing, that'd be great. Plus rep to anyone who contributes. :)

Thanks,
- Connor.

[Recursion]

You can't do that with 99% of programs, most of them will complain about registry keys and the only real way to back them up, AFAIK, is to reinstall them from scratch.

Also DVDRs you can use AutoGK and DVD Decrypter, search this forum, Nick wrote a tutorial on it :P

[Laurensh1]

You could make use of images of your total C disk and then if it fails, you can rewrite the image again and this way, all programs will work...

But dragging folders isn't the same as installing so not everything might work that way!

[JessicaD]

Buzle,
You cannot backup applications as they tie themselves to the registry and will require reinstallation. What operatng system are you moving to Windows 7 from? When migrating from Windows Vista to Windows 7 you will have the option to select "custom" or "upgrade" install when prompted. By selecting the "upgrade" option, your documents and applications will follow and carry over through the install process. If you select, "custom" however you will be able to perform a clean install and all applications will have to be reinstalled manually -- documents will be moved to a folder entitled "windows.old".
When migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an "in place upgrade" option. You will however have the option to select "custom" install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in "My Documents" over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually.
For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7
For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee150430.aspx
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

[Recursion]

What I do is, although this isn't for programs, it does make formatting easier.

Create two partitions, move all your Music, Videos, Documents etc over to that Partition and install Windows on the primary partition, then when you format all you DO need to worry about is your programs.