Well, this weekend I got Windows 7 and an external hard drive, the external hard drive is my step dad's but, I'm using it to move all of my content over since when installing Windows 7, it will erase all of my programs and files. The question I have is, how would I go about moving a program file over to the external hard drive without having the instillation disc andwith it still being able to work when Windows 7 gets installed? There are many programs I can simply just re-install, which would be generally easier to do, but I no longer have the discs for Pinnacle Studio and Adobe Photoshop, that's why I made this thread, to get the general consensus from Forgehub, on what I should do. I'd highly appreciate a serious and logical response.
I had a similar dilemma a while ago. If your updating from Windows xp/vista 32 bit -> Windows 7 32 bit then just install the disc and click upgrade and then the system you wish to overwrite. Then it will install with no deletion of programs or files. It will just update the system files. The same for 64 bit -> 64 bit but you cannot upgrade a 32 bit system to 64 bit because of the setup. I found just erasing the whole hard drive (after backing up important docs) then installing the system, makes the system feel much cleaner and it gets rid of all the messy apps etc. Then just reinstall the most important of your old apps.
I really appreciate your time, considerations, and suggestions you've put in, but I totally understand how to do all of that, and I'm planning on doing just that, but I made this thread, to possibly get an answer on how to move program files to an external hard drive, then to Windows 7, without having the installation disc. I stated that in the third paragraph in the op, but I just edited that in, where it says my question.
Install Windows 7 From USB Drive/Pen Drive Use that guide to mount the ISO image onto your hard drive then install windows 7 over your current windows setup (must be same bit rate 32/64) and all your files and programs will be kept.
In that guide it's showing that you're supposed to do that with the Windows 7 disk, so should I use that guide and just follow it but instead of using the disk, use the programs? Other than that, those guides really have nothing to do with what I want, I don't need to move or do anything with Windows 7, I just merely need to move over an entire program, not windows 7.
No. Why would I install Windows already, when I made this thread, I made it to ask how to move my program files to the external hd, so then I can use them on Windows 7. If I were to install Windows 7 now, I would lose those programs along with all of programs and files.
So you want to move your programs and your files onto windows 7 (which you haven't installed yet?) and it is the same computer your installing it on and the same bit rate system and you do not have the install disc? If so just download windows 7 of the windows website (or a torrent) burn to a disc or mount to the hard drive using that tutorial I linked you to. If not, I honestly cannot see your problem and you need to explain it a bit better.
OMG. I bought Windows 7, I have not installed it yet. I bought an external hard drive. I need to move let's say Adobe Photoshop to the external hard drive without using the installation disk, then to Windows 7, or else it will be erased during the installation of Windows 7. I don't see what's so hard about what's described. I simply just don't understand how to do it.
Ohh, the installation disc for Photoshop!! Why didn't you just tell me you torrented it? Lol Okay, just put in your windows 7 disc and upgrade. As long as you don't click custom installation then you will keep all your programs and files. It will just overwrite system files.
I'm like 99% positive that can only be done on Vista, I'm running on XP right now. It even says at the top of the box for Windows 7, that if you are upgrading from XP you will have to backup your files and settings, install it, and then put all of your files and settings back on. So, since I have had absolutely no luck finding any thing on google, the internet, on here, or help from any one else, I'm just going to say screw it. I'll just install Windows 7 right now and find some way to get my two absolutely needed programs back some how, that is unless someone helps me....... I never thought this was going to be hard.
You can call Pinnacle and Adobe and explain the situation to them. Although, even if you moved the Program Files, important registery keys and the whole serial key process will not transfer through.