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Question

I went from a Acer Aspire 5000 using Window XP to a HP

Jul 24, 2014 6:43AM PDT

My HP uses Window 7. I transfer my programs and files from one (Acer) to the other(HP) by a tranfer program. I don't know if it is because Windows dropped XP but I am starting to have trouble with a lot of my programs like my DVD reader/writer, Window Media Player. Does anybody have a solutions?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: XP to Windows 7
Jul 24, 2014 7:00AM PDT

I never copied Windows Media Player, since it already is included in Windows on the new PC. And usually I reinstall any program from the original disk (if compatible with Windows 7 and I still need it) or the most recent version that can be downloaded (if I still need it).

Copying a program (that is, the folder in Program Files) only is needed if you don't have a disk, you can't download the latest version and you forgot to backup the original setup program. And then success isn't guaranteed at all (it works in less than half of the cases, even if the program would be compatible if you had the original setup program).

Kees

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PS.
Jul 24, 2014 7:08AM PDT

As you noted, transfer programs always work for data and only sometimes work for programs. And I think that Windows Easy Transfer (free from Microsoft) does a good job for some settings.

I've never found paying for a transfer program worth the money. Data can easily be copied via an external hard disk or USB-stick of from a backup. Programs can't be transferred (see my post above). And settings, well, there aren't so many.
What program did you use?

Kees

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program
Jul 24, 2014 11:14AM PDT

I am not sure what program I used to transfer but I did get it from a electronic store.