Transferring program from one computer to another

[jeefunk]

My roommate has a program on his computer and I was wondering if it was possible to transfer or copy the program to my computer. My first thought is to send the program's folder from Program Files through AIM or something maybe? Thanks in advance for any help.

Jeff

[setarip_old]

Hi!

If it's freeware or shareware or a demo, it's probably a better idea to download it from the author's site - so you're sure to get all required parts.

And obviously, if it's a commercial program, you shouldn't be asking this question at these forums, since it would be a violation of the rules...

[jeefunk]

I assume it's freeware since it came with the computer, but I can't find it on the author's site.

[setarip_old]

I can't find it on the author's siteWhat's the program's name? Perhaps I, or another member, can find it for you...

[Doobie]

You people who are always jumping to assume that someone is pirating something are annoying. That being said: If it came with the computer, it's probably not freeware.

Sure, transfer the folder with AIM, or whatever. It may or may not work. Maybe someone here can identify some software that will copy not just the folder but other elements your software may depend on.

[HardwareGeek]

I was wondering if it was possible to transfer or copy the program to my computer. My first thought is to send the program's folder from Program Files through AIM or something maybe?
@Jeefunk

Most programs in Windows have to be installed and cannot just be copied. There are exceptions. Media Player Classic, for example, somehow just runs as an executable on top of Windows. You can try your idea of copying the program and seeing if it works. It shouldn't hurt your computer.

A long time ago, you could just copy programs and run them. But that was a long time ago--about 15 years, give or take.

I don't fully understand why copying no longer works, but installation programs make changes to the Windows registry, which could have something to do with these programs not functioning when copied.

[DarkZell666]

I don't fully understand why copying no longer works, but installation programs make changes to the Windows registry, which could have something to do with these programs not functioning when copied.


For sure, this is completely true ;)

Nowadays, many companies release software in installer packages, which make things "easy". Easy, as in "Click here to install", "Click here to use", "Click here to uninstall". Ok, average joe is happy ...

But ... these installers dig deeply into the system's files and settings, and store things in the system's registry. Why ? Sometimes it's to make a program interoperable with another one from the same company. Thinking of Nero for ex., it isn't just the burning software it was 8 years ago, it's a complete multimedia suite. Sometimes it's also because using the windows registry is easier than inserting new lines in .ini files. (when actually using xml would be the greatest of ideas for doing this ;))

Using a xml file is the best thing to do, I believe, but average joe would have to unzip the program file, copy it somewhere, create a shorcut (or 2, ... :D), and undo each of those steps when I wants to get rid of it ! That isn't acceptable :) (well, I can live with that, but many other's can't ;))