Bringing back the old programs

[phloxicon]

I had to reinstall windows vista (ultimate) today because my computer was well and truly broken, Anyway, I don't want to have to reinstall all of my old programs but copying and pasting from the Windows.old folder and running them doesn't work. Is there anyway to get them all back without reinstalling them. It'll take days to get them all back to their original configurations. Something to do with the registry?

Thanks

[MANEMAN]

I think this may be of help to you.

Link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

I cant honestly say that I've tried it, or can tell you how successful it is in the type of restoration you require.

Like many here, I use a Disk Imaging program Called Acronis

If you can get a Disk Imaging Program up and running and learn how to use it (Not a high level of difficulty) It can save you the same sort of frustration in the future.

Here is a guide that will give you some good ideas as to what I am talking about: http://tweakhound.com/vista/backup/trueimage_1.htm

If funds are a bit short there are "Free" Disk Imaging Programs. (Vista does in fact have a facility built in, but uses a heck of a lot of disk space)

Something that comes very close to Acronis, but is free is Macrium Reflect

Let us know if the link for Microsoft fixes the problem for you. And look back here just in case anyone else has some bright ideas. (Not everyone is sitting about on their computer on a Sunday :D )