Comments for Can I install programs on an external drive?

Comment from Jake on 2009-11-09

2009-11-10T00:16:30Z

REALLY need help with this one
When I download games, I am able to choose to Install to my external hard driev (g drive)
However, when I open the file, it starts to Install the game by extracting files to my normal hard drive..
I ran out of space on my internal (c drive) and the installation was cancelled.
How can I get files to extra to my external drive, or not extract at all?

-please help its really frustrating

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A comment on: Can I install programs on an external drive?

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Comment from not_a_numbers_guy on 2009-05-17

2009-05-17T16:03:07Z

I currently have a desktop PC and laptop setup on my wireless network. I have recenly added an external hard drive, which I have also made available to both computers on the network.

I am curious to know, if I install applications onto the external hard drive can both netwroked computers run that application?

Thank you!

Typically, no. Installation also sets up information on the machine you're installing it on, most notably in the registry, which won't be set up for those other machine. A few apps can work as you describe, but almost all that use a setup program do not.

- Leo
18-May-2009

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A comment on: Can I install programs on an external drive?

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Comment from Syed on 2009-01-09

2009-01-09T14:53:14Z

I am tired of formatting my hard drive and installing all the service pack files and bunch of application each time my computer hit by a virus.

1) From the above comments it is clear that we can install Application on separate drive internal or external as long as the apps get installed on that separate drive.
Is it possible to create partitions of my current internal hard drive C i.e. install operating system on C and install all the apps on the partition drive and if I have to format my C drive will the apps still work with that operating system when it gets reinstalled on C drive.

2) How to make a complete copy of C drive that includes boot and license files and all the apps to put it on DVD or multiple DVD's so in case of formatting hard drive I can just put the DVD and install everything.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Syed

Installing on an external drive doesn't somehow prevent viruses from attacking what's installed out there - they're just as vulnerable. Taking a full backup image once you've set up a clean machine is one way to have something you can restore to so as to avoid having to reinstall all the time.

But if you're constantly getting re-infected, that simply shouldn't be, and I'd re-evaluate your security software and/or your safety habits.

- Leo
09-Jan-2009

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A comment on: Can I install programs on an external drive?

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Comment from Leo on 2008-07-21

2008-07-21T16:20:58Z

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If your hard drive (or USB thumb drive) has a physical
"read-only" switch to prevent writing to the device, use
that. Unfortunately, not many do these days for some reason.

- From a purely pragmatic point of view the answer is that you
really can't ... at least not with 100% certainty. The best
steps to take include:

* ONLY connect to PCs you absolutely trust

* turn off "auto play" on your own computer

* virus scan the drive immediately on connecting it back to
your own computer.

Leo

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Comment from Vik on 2008-07-19

2008-07-20T06:43:26Z

How to protect my data on my portable hard drive, from infections, while connecting to other people's pc ?
Thanks for any info.

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Comment from olivier on 2008-04-12

2008-04-12T18:28:38Z

would like to know if it is possile to install an antivirus on my external drive, and where can i get the software?which kind of software can i use?

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A comment on: Can I install programs on an external drive?

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Comment from Pat on 2007-04-10

2007-04-11T00:03:52Z

Thankyou very helpful.

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Comment from Clive on 2007-03-26

2007-03-26T17:01:57Z

There is a program call MojoPac that allows one to install software on a USB drive, iPod or portable hard drive because it vitualizes the Registry. You can run MS Office and other programs like Adobe Creative Suite, and move the drive from computer to computer and use the installed applications. Very cool . Find out more here: http://www.mojopac.com

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Comment from Simon on 2007-03-19

2007-03-19T13:55:49Z

Building on Chuck's comment, Wikipedia has a nice list of "portable" applications (ones that don't require any installation and so can be easily run from external drives) at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_portable_software .

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Comment from Chuck Eglinton on 2007-03-14

2007-03-14T12:04:54Z

Excellent advice, Leo.

Some aapplications have been designed to run external drives, such as the MS Word compatible processor, "ABIword Portable," the Thunderbird Browser, and many Open Office applications.

Carrying these portable applications on an external drive or jump drive can be helpful if you're a student or you use various computers.

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A comment on: Can I install programs on an external drive?

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