Old Programs with a new Windows Installation

[Champman99]

OK so I did do a google search (and a hexus search) and I'm sure this mustve been previously asked but I cant quite find the right phrasing it seems. Found nothing useful so far.

My current hard drive setup is 640gb hard drive running Windows 7 RC, and a 320gb hard drive that was my former primary drive and now mostly used for extra storage.

I have already pre-ordered some copys of W7 on the reduced price offer, and thought that as I will probably have to do a clean install (I understand an upgrade from Beta->RC-> Full is possible but is a bit technical, and I prefer a clean install).

Given this I thought this would be a nice time for my to buy an SSD to put my new install on, my question (and I do actually have one) - is would I be able to leave installed programs on my older hard drives? Im thinking especially of activated software like Microsoft Office. I understand that Windows creates registry links and shared library files etc etc, but would I be able to copy over those files to the new Windows installation from the old Windows Installation?

I have actually done this before, but I basically accepted the fact that some stuff wouldnt work. World of Warcraft and Football Manager 2008 both worked fine just running the EXE from an older install on a different windows. But alot of other stuff couldnt find library files etc.

Hope you guys can help, and sorry my description was so long winded.


Edit: I have found apps like "Application Mover" but they seemed to be for moving installed files around within a single windows install, rather than from an old windows install to a new one

[i4000]

Generally I think the answer is no. You may find the odd program that will run from just double-clicking the executable (woW, mIRC etc.), but the majority will want to be re-installed (especially MS Office), thsi is because they will expect certain registry keys and dll files etc. to be present, these are all created / installed during installation.

Edit:

Also don't be concerned about re-activating Microsoft software, I've done it many times following a re-install, if the online activation fails due to multiple you can just ring the 0800 number the activation wizard gives you, tell them you have wiped an are re-installing and they re-activate your key.