How can I transfer a program from one computer to another please?

[PAB]

Good evening,

I have a program that I use quite a lot on an old laptop that I would some how like to transfer to my new laptop.
It is the full version but I don't have the original disc or serial key for the software any more. I don't want anything else from the old laptop because it is going to laptop heaven, I just want this one program along with its settings.
Can anyone suggest a way of doing this please.
I did think maybe of some way of backing up that particular program or something. I have searched the Net but I can't seem to get a definative answer.
It is from Vista to Vista by the way.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[MilesAhead]

If the programs is still supported/published contact the developers. Usually they will help out if they have a record of your registration. If not, search. Sometimes when a program is abandoned they will publish a universal key.

 

[LMiller7]

Transferring an application from one computer to another is not a simple thing and is rarely even attempted. This being a commercial application with a key complicates things. There is a commercial application that claims to be able to do this but I have no experience with it. If at all possible this is best avoided.

 

[townsbg]

Most software installed on windows cannot be transferred to another computer by copying the files. Most programs create numerous registry entries and configuration files. More thank likely it will have to be reinstalled. Also keep in mind that you probably only have a license for one computer and therefore can legally only have it on one computer at a time.

 

[MilesAhead]

Most software installed on windows cannot be transferred to another computer by copying the files. Most programs create numerous registry entries and configuration files. More thank likely it will have to be reinstalled. Also keep in mind that you probably only have a license for one computer and therefore can legally only have it on one computer at a time.

I think at one time there was a utility that attempted migrating applications with registry changes, to another drive letter. It went away I'm sure due to complications in such a task. And that was before xml settings and Roaming AppData and all the mix of old and new style settings we have now. I don't remember the name of it. A good trivia question.