Moving data/programs to new machine with different OS

I posted on a different thread about needing to get a new PC to replace my failing system. I plan on purchasing a box with Win 7 Pro, the failing system is XP Pro. My current plan is to plug the hard drive from the old system into the new box via USB.

From what I understand from the other thread, I should be able to move all my favorites and data files without problem.

My concern is all the freeware on the old system. I only have a dial up connection and it could take weeks to download all that software again.

My question is: If the exe install file still exists for any given software package, can I copy that to the new system and run it to reinstall the software on the new system?

 

The only way you could move the programs would be to move the installation programs and reinstall them. Some of those programs may be recent enough that Win 7 will accept them, others will not be. Microsoft is pretty good about being backwards compatible. Is there any chance that you could borrow a day of fast-speed internet from a friend, take your computer there and get all the programs you want off the internet in an installation form that is compatible with Win7?

You could do the research ahead of time by writing down your favorite freeware programs and checking if they are compatible with Win 7 or not. Most programs can be tracked down easily with a google search. Then if you had a day of fast internet somewhere, you would be ready to download whatever installation programs you could and install them at your leisure.

 

Getting access to broadband would be problematic, as I live out in the country. Only a couple of my friends have broadband and I am not sure I would be comfortable asking to be alone in one of their houses all day.

I can check the various programs to see if they are generic or have OS specific versions. I think most/all just specify the minimum operating system requirements. Some examples are Firefox, AdBlock Plus, NoScript and a number of image/video viewing packages.

 

Any installer you have should work fine. If the program doesn't work correctly on Win7 then you will be able to right-click the EXE file or shortcut and select Troubleshoot Compatibility. Win7 will suggest an emulation mode such as "XP SP2 mode" and ask you to confirm; just go with the suggestion and most likely the program will run fine.

If you video package is a codec package you may want to allot download time to a more recent package if you installer is more than two years old. Shark007 codecs work will with Win7 from my experience.