Vista - Vista Upgrade = Lost Programs?

Hi

I upgraded to Windows Vista Ultimate from Vista Home Basic and now my desktop is blank and none of my programs are there. Do I have to reinstall them all again?????

Also I see my files in windows.old, how do I transfer them to the new system instead of to windows.old. I thought the upgrade was just going to upgrade leaving everything the same and maybe it does and I did something wrong.

Can anyone please shed some light.

Thanks for your time

As far as I know, no need to reinstall any programs after the upgrade
process.Try to open the .exe files from windows.old.If you succeed you
can get them back on desktop.


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yeah but it continues to run from the windows.old folder. When I click on it, it doesn't make a new icon on my new desktop so now every time I want to do something I have to go into windows.old which seems to defeat any purpose to me

Hi,

Go to Control Panel, click Uninstall a Program - that will list all the programs currently installed on Ultimate. If you see your programs there, they are properly registered with the Ultimate o/s.

Also, have a look in C:\Programsx86 in your new ultimate install - if they are there, just right click the .exe file and create shortcuts to the desktop, then move the shortcuts to quick launch, startmenu, or wherever you like. You would then be safe to delete them from Windows.old

If they show as installed in Ultimate, but are not in Ultimate's C:\Programx86
folder, their registry keys will be linked to their location in Windows.old folder - you won't be able to just move them from there. I suggest you uninstall then reinstall them so they do appear in Ultimate's C:\Programx86 - after that you can safely delete them from Windows.old

If they are not showing as installed in Ultimate, you will need to reinstall them - you may need to download new setup files of your apps. if you haven't still got them - worth doing anyway as there may be newer versions available. ( it is possible some apps will run from Windows.old even if they are not installed - they just run as executables, but it is better to have them properly installed) .

Hope this helps

SIW2

yeah helps a lot but ouch.. i would have waited to a better day... I guess I took Microsofts warning that it would keep all settings and files literally. as in the same place.

thanks again....any other comments on this matter still welcome