New computer: need to re-download everything?

I seem to keep asking rather elemental questions. Ah, well: I'll be getting a new computer. I have plenty of free programs I've downloaded from the Web, including Avast, Zone Alarm, IrfanView, etc. For some of them, I saved the gizmo that showed up on my desktop when I downloaded and saved rather than opening immediately. I think that gizmo is the installer. My question: Do I have to re-download the whole program, or can I just use the gizmo/installer (which I saved to a thumb drive) and magically get the program into my new computer? Thanks.

 

The downloaded file should work fine

 

Thank you for the quick reply.

 

some apps look for reg keys and the (gizmo)=setup exe's
may need to be loaded to re-register
maybe a link that is outdated

 

What does that have to do with a program installation file?


Anyway, I gave up a long time ago keeping copies of program installers as they are updated frequently.

I find it easier to just download and install them as needed. At least then you have the latest copy.