Programs on second hard drive not showing up in "programs and features" after fresh OS install on SSD

HammyNam

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Oct 11, 2015
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So I bought a SSD for my OS and installed my OS on the SSD. I wanted to keep all the programs on the HDD and leave the SSD strictly for OS. Now after a fresh install of windows 10 none of my old programs show up in "programs and features" Anything I can do? Thanks ahead of time. (BTW IDK if I am posting this in the correct thread.)
 
Solution
That'll be why. Even tho programs are on the old hdd, info will be stored on the ssd, since thats got windows on it, and you boot from it

No point having windows on the old hdd, if you dont boot from it. It's just taking up space

I would wipe the ssd and the old hdd again. BUT, if you want anything off the old hdd, copy it to something first (except programs ). You'll have to reinstall them

And install the OS on the SSD and programs on the old hdd


Well I didn't wipe anything yet off of the old HDD. The old HDD had both windows and the programs on it.
 
So if the old hdd has windows on it as well, do you boot from both of them (the old hdd and the ssd) or what?

I thought you were using the old hdd just for programs ? If you're talking about you install programs on the old hdd (even tho windows is on it), the ssd would probably still keep a record of whats been installed in program and features.

So if you format the ssd, then obviously whats been installed on the hdd will disappear from programs and features

And the programs on the old hdd (probably wont work). Unless youre booting into windows with the old hdd as well




 


I boot up off of the SSD but the HDD has the old OS directorys on it still. Well I guess I'll work on reinstalling everything.
 
That'll be why. Even tho programs are on the old hdd, info will be stored on the ssd, since thats got windows on it, and you boot from it

No point having windows on the old hdd, if you dont boot from it. It's just taking up space

I would wipe the ssd and the old hdd again. BUT, if you want anything off the old hdd, copy it to something first (except programs ). You'll have to reinstall them

And install the OS on the SSD and programs on the old hdd
 
Solution
If you haven't wiped your old HDD yet... it's still possible get your old programs to run... You just need to do a few things.

First thing you need to do is go to Folder Options and select option to SHOW HIDDEN FOLDERS AND DRIVES..

Once you do that.. make a note of the programs you want to start working again that are on your old HDD. For example, let's say you have 10 Programs. Just write down or remember the names of those programs.

With Hidden Folders being shown.. go to your old HDD and go to two separate locations. The first is: PROGRAM DATA and the second is APPDATA (you'll need both Local and Roaming). Now you need to look for any programs stored in folders there. There may or may not be there. For Example.. If you use Firefox, then in ProgramData you will find a Mozilla folder and in AppData\Local & AppData\Roaming you will find more Mozilla folders. You just copy them and then paste in the same location on your new SSD. Check every program you wish to work again.

After all that is done... simply go back to your old HDD where the programs are installed and find the .EXE for each program and create a new SHORTCUT. You could either drag them to the Desktop or Start .. or right-click to create new shortcut.

That's pretty much it. I've been doing this for years and it works over 90% of the time. It's especially great for programs that you no longer have the install disk for. It's great on games but some programs.. does not work to well, like AV programs or stuff that come with trial periods.. probably because the developer doesn't want people uninstalling the program and reinstalling to reset the trial period... so parts are really dug into the system.

If you have any questions.. let me know.