How to tell windows where everything is again?

[nuggetbram]

I'm currently installing windows on a new ssd with the plan to symlink my program files and documents etc to my old hdd so I never really have to use it, if that makes sense. If I copy/symlink my program files folder over, it won't work as if I've re-installed it, will it?

How do I tell windows the programs are installed there, or do I have to re-install all of them? (Adobe collection etc, so I don't really want to go through the entire installation process again...)

 

[Mackara]

Your registry information is now gone, so you have to re-install all your apps to make them work...