Can I transfer apps & files onto laptop, install OS, return apps/files again??

[oathmark1]

What I want to do is change out the OS on my SSD for my PC. I want to dump everything on that SSD onto my laptop, and then install the OS on the SSD while it is bare and clean.

Can I do that, and then get all of the apps and files back on the SSD the way they were before? Or what should I expect?


Tanks much appreciated

 

[Scottray]

When you do a fresh Windows install on the SSD, it's going to wipe everything out. You'll need to reinstall all apps/software. There's no issues with copying/moving files between machines.

 

[oathmark1]

So with all of the apps and software, does it just reinstall when I transfer them back onto the PC SSD, or do I need to download each one online, and then delete the previous folders for the apps and softwear? Is that weird?

 

[Scottray]

You need the installation file for every program that you use. Then, you need to install each program. No - you can't just copy or move the program folder from one computer to another. It just doesn't work that way. In regards to files, I mean your personal files, such as, pictures, videos, Word, Excel, etc. There can be copied/moved from one computer to another.

 

[USAFRet]

What I want to do is change out the OS on my SSD for my PC. I want to dump everything on that SSD onto my laptop, and then install the OS on the SSD while it is bare and clean.

Can I do that, and then get all of the apps and files back on the SSD the way they were before? Or what should I expect?


Tanks much appreciated

"Can I do that, and then get all of the apps..."

Nope.

 

[USAFRet]

When an application is installed, it makes dozens, sometimes thousands, of entries in the Registry and elsewhere.

Your new OS knows nothing about them.

Your personal files, no problem.

 

[oathmark1]

How about all of the google tabs I had open for my projects. I work on 6-10 monitors, and I do a lot of research. Normally when the computer crashes, all of those tabs are saved. Is there a file in the google app that has all of those tabs?

Does anyone know how to restore the google tabs I had before this "train wreck" occurred? Thaskn a lot.

 

[USAFRet]

How about all of the google tabs I had open for my projects. I work on 6-10 monitors, and I do a lot of research. Normally when the computer crashes, all of those tabs are saved. Is there a file in the google app that has all of those tabs?

Does anyone know how to restore the google tabs I had before this "train wreck" occurred? Thaskn a lot.

You can export all the setting from your browser.
Save that somewhere.
Later, import into the new OS and browser settings.

 

[oathmark1]

Hi, Air Force. Thanks for all the help. Best on the web, and I'll send the guests.

When I want to use those browser settings to affect the browser, I just put the files in the other folders for the new browser? Where to I paste the files at?

 

[USAFRet]

Hi, Air Force. Thanks for all the help. Best on the web, and I'll send the guests.

When I want to use those browser settings to affect the browser, I just put the files in the other folders for the new browser? Where to I paste the files at?

Each browser, Edge, IE, FF, Chrome, whichever...has their own procedures for export and import.

 

[oathmark1]

Rogers.