Opening Programs on a Dual Boot Computer

[AlanHo]

I have installed Windows 7 as a dual boot on my Vista computer.

Each OS is of course on a separate drive. I have installed my usual software on the Windows 7 drive in the Program Files folder.

Hence I have two installations for my usual software - one on each drive.

Windows 7 does not include Windows Movie maker - a program I use from time to time because it is so user friendly. Today I was browsing the Vista drive (whilst using Windows 7) and happened on Movie Maker in the Vista Program Files folder. Being curious I clicked on the .exe file for Movie maker and it opened the program - even though at that time Windows 7 was the OS being used. I therefore placed a shortcut on my desktop for future use.

I then experimented with a few other programs on the Vista drive I had not installed with Windows 7 and found that the majority would also work.

I am confused - what is going on here? Can it be that I can use software that has not been installed via the OS by opening it from another drive - or is it a late night illusion.

Explanations would be appreciated.

[Hb_Kai]

I don't think this is much useful but I think I have heard something like this before being possible.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Alan,

Some programs are very simple - they consist just of an executable, and when double-clicked, they will run. Example: Notepad.exe .

Other programs are more complex, and they are dependent on registry data, registered DLL files, and more stuff. These will never run by just double-clicking the executable; they must be properly installed. Example: Microsoft Office.

I would have thought that Moviemaker would belong to the second category, but obviously you have proven otherwise.

[AlanHo]

Alan,

Some programs are very simple - they consist just of an executable, and when double-clicked, they will run. Example: Notepad.exe .

Other programs are more complex, and they are dependent on registry data, registered DLL files, and more stuff. These will never run by just double-clicking the executable; they must be properly installed. Example: Microsoft Office.

I would have thought that Moviemaker would belong to the second category, but obviously you have proven otherwise.

Thanks Pat

Now I know that this is purely academic and not serving any really practical purpose but the plot has just thickened.

In each of the following cases - whilst using Windows 7 - I clicked on the relevant .exe file in the Program Files folder on the Vista drive. THis is what happened :-

MS Office 2009

Winword.exe opened a window stating that Office was being configured (or words to that effect).

Word then opened and was usable. I then clicked on the Windows 7 Word icon in the quick launch bar and a second version of Word opened.

Now clicking on other office program .exe files results in them opening immediately.

Acronis

Trueimage.exe opened Acronis normally.

Nero

Nerostartsmart.exe opened Nero as if it was the first time ever used with a request to register. I clicked on "register later" and the program opened normally

CCleaner

Opened normally

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox.exe opened normally - but as if it was a new installation with requests to select options etc

Paint Shop Pro

Paintshopprophoto.exe opened a window stating "This copy of PSP has been damaged or illegally modified. Please reinstall from the original source"

Its all very strange - my curiosity has been tickled and my flabber has been ghasted.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

It all makes perfect sense to me.

Some programs "think" the installation is damaged, some programs have their configuration data missing, some programs have their registration missing, ...