Can I use Windows Explorer to move entire progams ?

My 120gig hardrive is divided into the C: drive and the D:. The C: drive has about 15gig of space and the D: drive has about 99gig of space.

I keep getting a message that the C: drive is getting low on space and I should make more room.

Can I use Windows Explorer to move entire progams that were installed on the C: drive and drag them over to the D: drive? If not, what do you suggest?

Thanks and I love your show!

william

This question was answered on February 15, 2006. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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It is not advisable to simply move program folders from one drive to another When a program is installed, Windows gathers information about it and stores it in a registry If you move the program manually, the various links created during the program installation will no loger be valid, and thus the program will not run You would then have to spend time redirecting the links to the appropriate locations, and the Windows registry may have to be edited manually, which can be dangerous.

The best method would be to uninstall the programs and reinstall them on the D: drive.

The programs may have an uninstall option in their location in the Start->Programs menu If not click Start then Settings then Control Panel Double click Add or Remove Programs and then uninstall the programs you wish to move.

When reinstalling, some programs will ask which directory you would like to install to The default will generally be "C:\Program Files" Just change it to "D:\Program Files" and the files will be installed on the D drive Other programs may not ask for a directory by default Instead they may only ask which type of installation you would like to run Look for options such as "Typical" and "Custom." Choose "Custom" and then you should be able to specify which directory you want to install to.

All programs have different methods of installation, so consult any available documentation on the specific program if you have difficulty changing the directory choice during installation.

Remember to backup any data before starting.

About the author

Posted by daryl of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on February 15, 2006

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