How do I move installed applications from Windows XP to Windows 7 when I don't have installation media?
Summary: When upgrading or moving to a new PC you'll probably need the installation media for your applications. Without it, things can get difficult.
At present I am using XP which I have backed up fully with Acronis. If I upgrade to Windows 7 or buy a new PC with Windows 7 will I be able to reinstall programs such as Office 2007 and Adobe PhotoShop CS3 from the Acronis back up as I no longer have the original discs.
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No.
A backup is not a replacement for installation media.
And given the approach that Microsoft is taking to the Windows XP to Windows 7 migration path, that may put you in a difficult position.
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If you're purchasing a new machine there's no simple solution to this problem. The fact is that you need to install the applications on the new system, and to do that you need the installation disks. The backup that you've taken is a backup of already installed applications, which cannot be used to install them elsewhere.
About the only hope I have for you is that there are tools, such as LapLink's PC-Mover which I'll discuss below, that claim to be able to move an installed application from one machine to another.
The upgrade path is equally difficult, though there are a couple of ugly additional options.
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Don't upgrade. If you rely on an application that you're not going to be able to install in Windows 7, then moving to Windows 7 may simply not be an option.
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Purchase another copy of the application, and this time retain the original installation media.
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Upgrade XP to Vista first. This is a real hack and I really don't recommend it since each upgrade step seems to add some system instability, but theoretically this works. Upgrade your XP system to Windows Vista, and then upgrade that Windows Vista system to Windows 7. Both of these have supported "upgrade" scenarios that would presumably leave your applications installed.
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Use a tool such as LapLink's PC Mover Upgrade Assistant. This software (which I have NOT evaluated) is advertised as allowing a direct XP to Windows 7 migration while preserving all your applications and settings. Note that this commercial software is currently priced at $30 per upgrade.
The long and short of it is that without installation media, any upgrade or any new machine purchase can be a problem. While there are potential approaches you might need to take sheerly out of necessity, the lesson here is that installation media and product keys are important, and should be kept in a safe place for as long as you might need the software.
Related:
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How do I install a pre-installed Microsoft Office on another machine? Office is a popular pre-install on many new computers. If you didn't also get a CD, you should. Installing or reinstalling is a problem without it.
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Can I move an installed application to another drive? Because of the files an installed application usually leaves behind, it's prohibitively difficult move it to another drive.
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How do I upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 7? The upgrade path from XP to Windows 7 is clear, albeit some work. The path from Vista can be simpler, but I recommend a clean install anyway.
Article C3901 - October 20, 2009
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Posted by: Ian Grant at October 21, 2009 2:00 PMIG
If you do have the installation disks the migwiz (migration wizard) which is found under support on the installation disk does a reasonable backup and helps you get your old settings back for most of your installed programs after you re-install. I used it when I installed the RC version and yesterday when I installed the retail version.
And if you did pay for a version of software that you no longer have and still have the license key available you can always borrow a set of installation disks and install them with your key. This may be illegal according to the software companies, but it's certainly not immoral if you really did pay. According to Microsoft it's even illegal to copy your downloaded win7 iso to more than 1 back-up disk or burn a copy and retain the iso on a disk.
Posted by: Mark at October 23, 2009 6:13 AMAccording to Microsoft it's even illegal to do XYZ ...
You meant to say, it violates the terms of their license agreement to do XYZ ...
Illegal implies against the law.
Two different things.
Use of the term "illegal" conveys a deeper attribute that is not necessarily correct.
Posted by: David at October 27, 2009 8:36 AMCould you take out the hard disc from the old computer and install it as a second hard drive in the new computer thereby retaining all your programs? Is it possible to delete the old operating system?
Posted by: John de Borde at October 28, 2009 2:09 AM