Format computer keeping installed programs some how?

jakedavi · 07-20-2008, 02:15 PM

Ok, I made this topic but my post didn't show. I have now edited this reply.

So, I will make my question short and simple. Is there any way I can format my computer and keep my installed programs. I have everything backed up on an external hard drive pictures, music etc. And most of my installed programs are on there as well. Would exporting the registery, then importing it back after the format do the trick?

Thanks.

**manic** · 07-20-2008, 04:26 PM

You can try it. But I doubt you will like the results. Maybe someone
else has been successful doing this. I never have. Pics, songs, and
programs themselves are going to be ok. But to think you can change
drives, and os, and think your programs that were running prior will
remain unchanged, I doubt it very much.

jakedavi · 07-20-2008, 05:16 PM

Well I was just thinking, because all my programs are on my External Hard Drive, they won't get wiped.. and when I plug it back in I could somehow get them running again. So the registery import won't work? Or do you need the program files in your system folder like Sys32?

Cheers.

07-20-2008, 02:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
jakedavi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 21 OS: Win Vista	Re: Format computer keeping installed programs some how? Ok, I made this topic but my post didn't show. I have now edited this reply. So, I will make my question short and simple. Is there any way I can format my computer and keep my installed programs. I have everything backed up on an external hard drive pictures, music etc. And most of my installed programs are on there as well. Would exporting the registery, then importing it back after the format do the trick? Thanks. Last edited by jakedavi : 07-20-2008 at 02:18 PM.

07-20-2008, 04:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,263 OS: xp	Re: Format computer keeping installed programs some how? You can try it. But I doubt you will like the results. Maybe someone else has been successful doing this. I never have. Pics, songs, and programs themselves are going to be ok. But to think you can change drives, and os, and think your programs that were running prior will remain unchanged, I doubt it very much. __________________

07-20-2008, 05:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
jakedavi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 21 OS: Win Vista	Re: Format computer keeping installed programs some how? Well I was just thinking, because all my programs are on my External Hard Drive, they won't get wiped.. and when I plug it back in I could somehow get them running again. So the registery import won't work? Or do you need the program files in your system folder like Sys32? Cheers.