[championoftruth (OP)]

I have windows 7 32bit on SSD1 and installed 64bit Windows 8.1 on SSD2.

I have over 300 programs on windows 7 SSD1 and instead of re-installing every one Can i just copy paste the whole programs folder from windows 7  on SSD1 into the programs folder on windows 8.1 on SSD2.

Also copy/paste desktop from users on win7 to users on windows 8.1



Please don't tell me to install windows 10 11 or 12.because I DON'T want to.

[evan_au]

According to Microsoft, they will no longer support Windows 7 & Windows 8.1 beyond 10th January 2023.
- That means no bug fixes, and no security updates
- It will be less than 6 months before some vulnerability appears and a successful hack becomes available.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-of-support?r=1

You may not want Windows 10 or Windows 11, but the hackers definitely want your Windows 8.1!

[championoftruth (OP)]

According to Microsoft, they will no longer support Windows 7 & Windows 8.1 beyond 10th January 2023.
- That means no bug fixes, and no security updates
- It will be less than 6 months before some vulnerability appears and a successful hack becomes available.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-of-support?r=1

You may not want Windows 10 or Windows 11, but the hackers definitely want your Windows 8.1!

What nonsense. i am running windows 7 without any anti virus and without any updates since 2017.

never had a  problem. seems your a victual of marketing.

does not answer the question i asked.

[evan_au]

Here is a list of Windows 7 vulnerabilities, with a link to the risk score, and the date it was announced:
https://www.upguard.com/blog/top-10-windows-7-vulnerabilities-and-remediation-tips

[Deecart]

I have windows 7 32bit on SSD1 and installed 64bit Windows 8.1 on SSD2.

Ok, but this do not say what Operating System (WIN7, WIN8 ?) is used when you start your computer.
I suppose you boot on SSD2 with Windows 8.1

I have over 300 programs on windows 7 SSD1 and instead of re-installing every one Can i just copy paste the whole programs folder from windows 7  on SSD1 into the programs folder on windows 8.1 on SSD2.

It depend on the program.
Some programs use registration into the Windows Register Hive, some not.
(It is a file used for programs and windows to retain their usefull informations)
If you are some experienced user you could copy (from SSD1) the corresponding registry file into the active registration file (on SSD2).
But doing so you would need to do a lot of work, and it guess is not what you want...

And some programs use uninstal capabilities, some not.
Etc.

So, the best to do, if you dont want to reinstall everything, is to UPGRADE your windows 7 to windows 8.1
And to choose the option "keep your files" instead of "nothing" (that leads to a fresh copy without any program and users files).
I suppose you have installed a fresh windows 8.1 on the SSD2 but what you should have done is :
First copy the whole SSD1 to the SSD2 (this first step is mandatory but i suggest you do it, so as to have some recovery if something goes wrong, per example using this : https://www.ubackup.com/download.html or any other backup or cloning tool you know), and then upgrade the Windows 7 on the SSD1 to Windows 8.1

There are many tutorials on youtube explaining how to do the upgrade.
Here someone :

 

[championoftruth (OP)]

I have windows 7 32bit on SSD1 and installed 64bit Windows 8.1 on SSD2.

Ok, but this do not say what Operating System (WIN7, WIN8 ?) is used when you start your computer.
I suppose you boot on SSD2 with Windows 8.1

I have over 300 programs on windows 7 SSD1 and instead of re-installing every one Can i just copy paste the whole programs folder from windows 7  on SSD1 into the programs folder on windows 8.1 on SSD2.

It depend on the program.
Some programs use registration into the Windows Register Hive, some not.
(It is a file used for programs and windows to retain their usefull informations)
If you are some experienced user you could copy (from SSD1) the corresponding registry file into the active registration file (on SSD2).
But doing so you would need to do a lot of work, and it guess is not what you want...

And some programs use uninstal capabilities, some not.
Etc.

So, the best to do, if you dont want to reinstall everything, is to UPGRADE your windows 7 to windows 8.1
And to choose the option "keep your files" instead of "nothing" (that leads to a fresh copy without any program and users files).
I suppose you have installed a fresh windows 8.1 on the SSD2 but what you should have done is :
First copy the whole SSD1 to the SSD2 (this first step is mandatory but i suggest you do it, so as to have some recovery if something goes wrong, per example using this : https://www.ubackup.com/download.html or any other backup or cloning tool you know), and then upgrade the Windows 7 on the SSD1 to Windows 8.1

There are many tutorials on youtube explaining how to do the upgrade.
Here someone :

According to Microsoft, they will no longer support Windows 7 & Windows 8.1 beyond 10th January 2023.
- That means no bug fixes, and no security updates
- It will be less than 6 months before some vulnerability appears and a successful hack becomes available.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-of-support?r=1

You may not want Windows 10 or Windows 11, but the hackers definitely want your Windows 8.1!

What nonsense. i am running windows 7 without any anti virus and without any updates since 2017.

never had a  problem. seems your a victual of marketing.

does not answer the question i asked.

According to Microsoft, they will no longer support Windows 7 & Windows 8.1 beyond 10th January 2023.
- That means no bug fixes, and no security updates
- It will be less than 6 months before some vulnerability appears and a successful hack becomes available.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-of-support?r=1

You may not want Windows 10 or Windows 11, but the hackers definitely want your Windows 8.1!

What nonsense. i am running windows 7 without any anti virus and without any updates since 2017.

never had a  problem. seems your a victual of marketing.

does not answer the question i asked.

Here is a list of Windows 7 vulnerabilities, with a link to the risk score, and the date it was announced:
https://www.upguard.com/blog/top-10-windows-7-vulnerabilities-and-remediation-tips

i dont care about dates or vulberavlitys

[Deecart]

i dont care about dates or vulberavlitys

Ok, but why do you cite my post ?

[championoftruth (OP)]

i dont care about dates or vulberavlitys

Ok, but why do you cite my post ?

Maybe i replying to the otter guy.

i will do some experiments by pasting USERS folders and others folders as people here have nothing to offer apart from peddling out upgrade nonsense and worrying about imaginary 'hackers'.

i never had a hacker hack me so why would i worry about a hacker hacking me and hacking oh my super secret info.

i have so much info on my 4x 6tb data drives that the hacker hacking me will need to spend next year and the year after looking for something useful by which time he will be a year older with nothing to show for it.
b
In fact the hacker can just ask me and if he sends me 4x 6tb usdrives plus $249 per hd admin fee i will just clone the drives for him.

[evan_au]

i never had a hacker hack me

I have had a hacker hack me.
- He/she/it did not have to download my entire hard disk - they just encrypted all my files, and sent me a ransom demand for BitCoin.
- I did not pay it, so I lost all the files that I had not backed up yet
- I hope you don't leave your 6 TBytes of storage permanently attached to your computer, or they will all be encrypted, too!

[Zer0]

32-bit device Drivers cannot be used with the 64-bit Operating System.

Best bet is to buy an old machine & have 2 separate individual systems.

P.S. - You haven't been Hacked as yet, that ain't Talent, it's just sheer Luck!
🤞
(Remember, there is Always a First Time for Things in Life...so be Wise & don't push your Luck)

[championoftruth (OP)]

32-bit device Drivers cannot be used with the 64-bit Operating System.

Best bet is to buy an old machine & have 2 separate individual systems.

P.S. - You haven't been Hacked as yet, that ain't Talent, it's just sheer Luck!
🤞
(Remember, there is Always a First Time for Things in Life...so be Wise & don't push your Luck)

well its a 64 bit and both 32 bit and 64 bit programs work fine on it.

the only people who get viruses who click on dodgy websites.

anyway i have backups kept separate from pc.

old machine well i threw away a 3200+ athlon computer.

with the sky high electric prices a pc costs 400 to run.

[championoftruth (OP)]

i never had a hacker hack me

I have had a hacker hack me.
- He/she/it did not have to download my entire hard disk - they just encrypted all my files, and sent me a ransom demand for BitCoin.
- I did not pay it, so I lost all the files that I had not backed up yet
- I hope you don't leave your 6 TBytes of storage permanently attached to your computer, or they will all be encrypted, too!

If that is true stop doing things of dubious morals on your pc and visiting sites off ill repute. clicking away on every button and dialogue.

i had windows xp upto 2017 . nothing happened but updated firefox would not install. so hence win7.

[Zer0]

well its a 64 bit and both 32 bit and 64 bit programs work fine on it.
If it's working Fine, then no point fidgeting with it. If it's already performing then Why risk messing it up.

the only people who get viruses who click on dodgy websites.
Yes Indeed, especially Porn. Folks think the erotic flesh lust is free & go on a rampage clicking hither & tither & download stuff. Only if they could see what all malevolent Crap is entering & corrupting their system.

anyway i have backups kept separate from pc.
Always good to have a Backup Plan, smart work.

old machine well i threw away a 3200+ athlon computer.
Should have pawned it at an antique dealers store, some folks still dig old stuff, memoirs of the good ol days.

with the sky high electric prices a pc costs 400 to run.
Not to mention Richie Rich folks who keep discarding workable operating systems, n keep bringing new ones to the market.
It's like someone pouring the old liquor in a new bottle n tryin to resell it to you.

P.S. - I feel i Understand you better now.
Good Luck!
👍

[nicephotog]

Essentially NO. The problem is windows has a special "registry" system in its OS for the installation of apps, they are not simply installed in the folder itself as some are or can be installed. Most windows apps get registered during installation and have various information for their default use and priority of use by preference that is managed by the windows OS.
You must reinstall your apps into the new OS space if it is not simply an OS  system upgrade.

[SeanB]

Simplest is to use virtualisation, and turn that Win7 into a virtual machine, and run it from there. Same for the Win8, you take the entire machine and virtualise it, either Virtualbox ( but then you deal with the Oracle Borg if used for business) or one of the alternatives. That solves a lot of the issues, you get a machine that is easy to back up, you just clone the VHD and back it up, and you also get isolation from the host to client, so an issue on the client does not damage the host. As a bonus you also are able to run a few copies at once, all separate, and on modern (post 2010 in most cases) processors you get minimal performance difference, but a more stable environment.

A lot of malware also checks to detect running in a VM, and stops execution, so not executing on the VM, a small bonus for when you get some malware.

[championoftruth (OP)]

Simplest is to use virtualisation, and turn that Win7 into a virtual machine, and run it from there. Same for the Win8, you take the entire machine and virtualise it, either Virtualbox ( but then you deal with the Oracle Borg if used for business) or one of the alternatives. That solves a lot of the issues, you get a machine that is easy to back up, you just clone the VHD and back it up, and you also get isolation from the host to client, so an issue on the client does not damage the host. As a bonus you also are able to run a few copies at once, all separate, and on modern (post 2010 in most cases) processors you get minimal performance difference, but a more stable environment.

A lot of malware also checks to detect running in a VM, and stops execution, so not executing on the VM, a small bonus for when you get some malware.

That is very complex and also very slow.

[SeanB]

A performance hit of perhaps 10% on current hardware, likely more than 10 times the minimum required to run the guest OS, is not going to have much impact on most users, and virtualisation is built into almost all current processors.

[championoftruth (OP)]

A performance hit of perhaps 10% on current hardware, likely more than 10 times the minimum required to run the guest OS, is not going to have much impact on most users, and virtualisation is built into almost all current processors.

i tried it in 2014 and it seemed sluggish and also you could not get a full window but 3/4 making it annoying

[SeanB]

Things have changed a lot since then. I run a VM in full screen mode, or run as a VGA size window, along with running Dosbox as well with it running some older games. Yes you notice some slight degradation, but the loss is more than made up with not needing to get annoyed.