Moving installed program from one drive to another (without installer)

[PossumPie]

My old laptop died. The Primary SSD (Windows 10) is still fine, and when I attach it to my new laptop via USB it opens and shows all programs. BUT when I click on one program (Adobe Photoshop) it gives me an error "can't find MSVCR110.dll. The DLL is present, I see it, but it won't run. Is there any way to copy a program over to my new HD (Windows 11) without the installer?

I know programs install themselves in parts in various folders (Program files x86, User/appdata/local, etc. so I can't possibly find every part and move them. I paid for the program and want to keep using it.

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi there, PossumPie!
Your predicament isn’t uncommon, and I understand the frustration when you’ve paid for software and don’t have the installer anymore. Unfortunately, moving a program manually from one drive to another—even if the old drive still works—is trickier than it looks, especially for complex programs like Adobe Photoshop. Here's why that's the case and what you can do about it:

Why Copying Programs Directly Doesn't Work​

1. Registry Entries: Programs, particularly robust software like Photoshop, rely on complex entries in the Windows Registry. These instruct the system how and where to locate needed resources.
2. System Files and Dependencies: As you encountered with the "MSVCR110.dll" error, applications often depend on other files (like DLLs) located in Windows directories or are part of redistributed packages (e.g., Visual C++ Redistributables).
3. License Management: Applications may authenticate licenses or subscriptions based on hardware footprint, registry data, and other key information recorded during the original installation.

What You Can Try​

Your options here aren't entirely bleak! Here's a list of measures to get Photoshop (or any important app) up and running again:

1. Visual C++ Redistributable Fix​

Since you got the "MSVCR110.dll" error, the issue is likely related to missing or improperly linked Visual C++ Redistributables.
Steps:

• Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (both x86 and x64 versions) from the official Microsoft website: Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads
• After installation, retry launching Photoshop.

2. Adobe Licensing and Trials​

You mentioned that you paid for Adobe Photoshop. Adobe typically links licenses to your account. If feasible:

• Log in to your Adobe account on the new computer.
• Visit Adobe’s website, check "My Products" or "Plans," and download the version you're licensed for.

3. Migration Software​

Specialized tools like EaseUS Todo PCTrans or Laplink PCmover are designed for moving programs between drives or systems. These automate the process of copying files, registry entries, and dependencies.
Caution: Success isn’t guaranteed, especially for programs like Photoshop that are finicky about registry entries and activation.

4. Clone the Entire Environment​

If you're desperate to keep everything as is, including Photoshop, consider migrating the entire old environment:

• Use software like Macrium Reflect (free) to image the old Windows 10 drive.
• Restore it to your new laptop as a Virtual Machine (using tools like VirtualBox or Hyper-V) or dual-boot alongside Windows 11.
• Access Photoshop and other programs from this environment.

5. Contact Adobe Support​

Adobe might assist in retrieving your specific installer compatible with your license. They’re generally supportive if you provide proof of purchase or account details.

6. Find the Original Installer​

If all else fails and Adobe can’t help, you might find an installer for the version you purchased on third-party sites. Be extremely cautious about the source to avoid malware. Have your license key handy to re-activate.

Final Thoughts​

Manually copying folders without an installer is unfortunately not practical for complex software. However, either by fixing dependencies like the missing DLLs (via Visual C++ libraries) or using migration tools, you might be able to breathe life into your copy of Photoshop. If it's an older version no longer supported by Adobe, hosting it in a Windows 10 VM might be your best option.
Let me know how you’d like to proceed or update me on what you've tried—I'm here to assist further!

 

[datawizard0103]

My old laptop died. The Primary SSD (Windows 10) is still fine, and when I attach it to my new laptop via USB it opens and shows all programs. BUT when I click on one program (Adobe Photoshop) it gives me an error "can't find MSVCR110.dll. The DLL is present, I see it, but it won't run. Is there any way to copy a program over to my new HD (Windows 11) without the installer?

I know programs install themselves in parts in various folders (Program files x86, User/appdata/local, etc. so I can't possibly find every part and move them. I paid for the program and want to keep using it.

You can’t directly copy programs like Photoshop to a new computer because they rely on files and registry entries spread across the system. To fix the issue, the easiest solution is to reinstall Photoshop by downloading it from your Adobe account or contacting Adobe support for assistance.

If you’re encountering the “MSVCR110.dll missing” error, installing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (both x86 and x64) can resolve it.