Please read through information below before using Application Mover for the first time!! If you have questions contact Funduc Software at support@funduc.com before you proceed.
If you are having trouble with the demo version of Application Mover do NOT purchase the registered version in the hopes that 'being registered' will somehow make the program work better on your computer. The program does not work that way. Contact support@funduc.com instead.
"Expert" computer users should pay extra attention to the recommendations below. Having an ultra-modern power computer does not mean that it is OK to disregard the below guidelines.
Most Important:
Application Mover is not a 'computer repair' utility. The program is intended for use on computers & operating system installations that are working reliably and consistently. Do not use Application Mover if your computer has been 'misbehaving', e.g., unexplained Windows error message, frequent program crashes, operating system crashes, etc. Do not use Application Mover in the hopes that moving a program or two can somehow fix your computer. The program has no functionality for diagnosing or repairing system problems.
Do not move folders that contain un-related program(s) underneath that parent path. For example, DO NOT move C:\Program Files to D:\Program Files. Moving C:\Program Files\Editor to F:\Program Files\Editor is OK, where "Editor" is the name of a program you want to move. But do not attempt to move all of C:\Program Files! Doing so will fail. Aside from the fact there are folders under C:\Program Files we recommend you not move, trying to move a folder that contains multiple programs exponentially increases the risk that something will go wrong and that Windows itself will try to prevent changes from happening.
See below recommendations against moving highly complex programs. If you decide to continue anyway, MAKE A FRESH DISK BACKUP BEFORE YOU PROCEED! This is doubly important If you are dealing with a specialized program whose installation involves multiple folders (or subprograms) under the single parent folder. Does your program also involve important supplementary data files or purchased components under that same parent folder? If so, MAKE A FRESH DISK BACKUP BEFORE YOU PROCEED!
Close all running programs before beginning work with Application Mover. Also, if you have not done so in a long time it is recommended that you do a fresh reboot of your computer to ensure that there are no 'stuck' programs running in the background.
Application Mover does not automatically assign itself 'administrator level' program rights. Windows Vista and above will prompt for extra access rights each Application Mover it is run (see sample prompt). You must allow the program to be run "As Administrator", even if your user account is 'administrator'. Older versions of Application Mover do not request elevated permission so you must manually run the program 'As Administrator'. Do this by right clicking on the program shortcut and select 'Run As Administrator' to run the program. This should be done even if your user account is one with full access permissions. Alternatively you can manually modify the shortcut properties for the shortcut to launch the program (Right click on the shortcut; Click on Shortcut tab; Click on Advanced; Check 'Run as administrator').
Most software programs save 'data' files (documents, spreadsheets, CAD layout files) in a folder other than the folder where the program itself is installed. You should always have fresh backups of all 'data' files before using Application Mover. This is doubly important if the program you want to move saves 'data' in the same folder as the installation path. It is up to you to investigate this on your own. Application Mover has no special knowledge of any particular programs.
Folders & Programs You Should Not Move
|
Folder/Program |
Details |
|
'My Documents' |
'My Documents' has other folders (sometimes hidden) containing files related to your user account OR other users on your computer. Consult other information (F1 Help or online) for operating system instructions for how to change the location of 'My Documents'. |
|
C:\Windows |
Never attempt to move paths directly related to your operating system. DO NOT try to move C:\Windows to D:\Windows!! You will break your computer if you attempt this! |
|
Any folder under \Windows |
For example, never attempt to move C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\System. Application Mover is not designed to relocate the Windows operating system. If you feel you must do this please seek another solution. |
|
\Users |
Consult operating system help or online help for changing the location of 'My Documents', 'My Pictures', etc. The \Users folder contain critical files operating system files. Attempting to move \Users directly will probably leave your computer inoperative. DO NOT attempt to move C:\Users! |
|
\Program Files\Common Files |
Folders in this path are used by various programs and some files may be "busy". If you are a expert computer user you can possibly move specific paths under \Program Files\Common Files, one at a time. But in general we suggest you not try to move any folders under \Program Files\Common Files. |
| MS SQL Server |
SQL Server is a complicated installation with related processes and files that
Application Mover is not designed to handle. By report, attempts to move MS
SQL Server fail. We strongly recommend against attempting to move MS
SQL Server. |
|
Microsoft Office 2013 (Office 15) |
By report Office 2013 will not move correctly. See recommendation below. We have always recommended against moving MS Office. If you have Office 2013 do not ignore this advice!! |
|
Complex programs such as Microsoft Office, specialized accounting software, Visual Studio, Anti-Virus Software, programs related to your graphics driver, programs that provide ongoing maintenance backup/monitoring of your computer, etc. |
The more complex the program and/or the more closely it is linked to the operation of your computer, the more likely there are processes related to your program running at all times. This in turn increases the likelihood that something won't go right. Also, complex programs occupying many GB of disk space require a long time to move, even on a fast computer, because of both the number of registry entries involved and sheer disk space. At minimum you should make a fresh backup of your computer before you proceed! |
|
Printer drivers |
Depending on your printer & operating system it is likely that some files will always be "busy" and the move will not succeed. If your goal is to free up space on a primary SSD drive by moving print drivers to a secondary drive we recommend you consult your printer manufacturer and determine if instructions exist for installing the drivers & related files to a custom location. If so, uninstall the printer per your operating system procedures and use the alternate installation instructions to re-install the driver to the secondary drive. |
|
Toontrack Software |
We have one report of Application Mover stalling while attempting to move the entire /Toontrack folder. Toontrack is a very very very large software package. We recommend against moving Toontrack. As minimum, be prepared to re-install if something goes wrong. |
|
Google Chrome or |
We have a report that C:\Program Files\Google causes trouble for Application Mover we recommend against moving Google Chrome (C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome). Chrome has evolved into a complex program. Various processes related to Chrome are likely running at all times. Identifying and stopping those services will not be easy for the average computer user. Furthermore, there may be special permissions present related to files/folders under \Google. Additionally, there may be other Google programs under the top level of \Google. Do not move a top level folder that has multiple independent programs nested underneath. |
|
Google Picasa Database Files |
Application Mover has no functionality to make internal changes to any files related to the Picasa database files themselves and no functions for changing Picasa settings for where the database is expected to be found. We suggest you consult Picasa support for the suggested steps. |
|
thinkorswim (TD Ameritrade) |
By report this software cannot be moved successfully. The thinkorswim trading software by TD Ameritrade is a complex software with multiple security protections. If you have to re-install all your customizations and data will be lost. |
|
Norton System Works
|
By report System Works may come along after Application Mover and try to "correct" some registry changes that Application Mover makes. Follow Symantec/Norton recommendations if you need to move System Works. |
|
Quicken / Quickbooks |
By report files are left behind in the original installation path after the move. We have not been able to repeat this ourselves so we do not know if this is because users ignored the "Some files are busy, reboot now?" prompt after Application Mover was finished. Nevertheless, caution is advised. |
|
Flight Simulator 9 |
We have two slightly different reports that Flight Simulator is troublesome to move and now recommend against moving Flight Simulator, especially if you have lost your license details &/or original installation disks. Flight Simulator installations can be very large and can contain thousands of files. Moving Flight Simulator will be a long process even on a very fast computer so if you proceed, be patient! Let your computer focus exclusively on the task! |
|
iTunes |
There are multiple iTunes-related processes running at all times on the Windows computer and we recommend you follow guidelines from iTunes support when moving your iTunes media folder. For example, see Locate and organize your iTunes media files. |
|
Microsoft MapPoint |
By report MapPoint may be difficult to move. We suggest that you not move MapPoint unless you have your original installation media and/or license key. |
|
Adobe Photoshop |
Do not move Photoshop if you lost your original installation media or license key. By report Photoshop can be moved successfully but caution is advised if you are not prepared to re-install or rebuild your system via a fresh backup. |
|
STEAM Audio Software Products |
Application Mover has no special functions for moving STEAM audio production software and/or sound libraries. Do not attempt to move STEAM products if you are not prepared to re-install or rebuild your system via a fresh backup. |
|
CAD Software |
CAD installations, including AutoCAD, are complex and may contain file references to the original installation path that Application Mover is not able to change. Additionally there may be special license-related files that may no longer work after the program is moved. We recommend against moving any CAD software product if you do not have the original installation disks! |
|
Application Mover |
Obviously you can't move a program that is running. Uninstall and re-install if you need to move Application Mover. |
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Logging and Backups
Please use the Log File feature. This is the "Log changes made to output file" setting in the main dialog. The info may be helpful if something goes wrong.
Back up all data files associated with your program before you use Application Mover. By this we mean any document collections, databases, and/or data paths that are used by your program to store whatever information it is your program is used for. Application Mover has been tested extensively but you should update your backups first. You do have recent backups, right?
Before You Move Anything
Close all running programs before you run Application Mover. Most important, close program(s) directly or indirectly related to the Current Path and New Path fields in the Application Mover main dialog. If you are not sure about what this means, close all programs so that your Windows taskbar is clear.
If you complete the Current Path and New Path fields by hand in the main dialog only specify subdirectory (folder) names. Do not reference a specific file!! The program works on paths, not single files in a path. For example, if the program you want to move is in the folder C:\Program Files\MyApp, specify C:\Program Files\MyApp in the Current Path field. Do not specify C:\Program Files\MyApp\MyApp.exe.
What Application Mover Is Not
Application Mover is not a 'migration' or 'installation clone' utility. Do not use the program to move programs from one computer to another. It is not designed for this.
Application Mover is not intended for drive swapping usage such as copying files to a new hard disk and then swapping that hard disk. See Technical Notes below for more information.
Application Mover is not an 'installation discovery tool'. It does not attempt to discover file references your program may have to files outside of the Current Path field in the Application Mover main dialog.
Other Suggestions
Is your old and tired drive C: woefully low on disk space? Yes, Application Mover is intended for moving folders to another drive that is installed in the computer. But you might first consider other routes such as using Microsoft's Disk Clean Up or emptying your browser cache or cleaning up your \Temp folder. The gain in hard drive space may be considerable.
General Background About What Happens
Application Mover moves 'applications' based on the path specified in Current Path field in the main dialog. The program moves all files from that path (and any subdirectories under that path) to the path specified in the New Path field. The program then uses the Current Path and New Path strings to make changes to the windows registry, Windows shortcuts, and .ini & Install.log files in the program path.
The order of operations is: 1. Files are copied to the new path. 2. Registry Changes are made. 3. Shortcuts are changed. 4. Files are deleted from the old path. 5. .ini and Install.log files are changed.
Advanced Users: If you have a multi-boot system please consider the consequences of moving a program that is installed under two operating systems. Only the actively loaded registry will be changed. Enable replacement confirmations if you want to supervise the operation more closely.
Additional Notes
The program works on entire paths only. You cannot move single files. For example, you cannot move only C:\Program Files\MyApp\MyApp.exe to a different path. Application Mover moves all of C:\Program Files\MyApp\ .
If you use a "Start Menu" replacement utility or program launcher, changes made by Application Mover may not be reflected in your utility. If your utility keeps data in a database of some kind, Application Mover will not be able to change those settings. If your utility stores program data in the registry, refreshing the utility's menu after Application Mover is finished may help.
Application Mover will not permit operations involving the root path of any drive. For example, you cannot move C:\ to D:\.
The 'Update Current Path in Registry', 'Update Shortcuts to Current Path', and 'Update Installer log Files' checkboxes in the main dialog are intended for advanced users. Most users should leave these checked.
Some Technical Notes
Application Mover moves 'applications' based on the paths specified in 'Current Path' and 'New Path' fields in the main dialog.
The table below lists some paths and results related to moving a fictitious program named 'MyEditor' from 'C:\Program Files\MyEditor' to 'D:\Programs\MyEditor':
|
Before |
After |
|
Main Program Path: Files also installed in: |
Main Program Path: Files remain in: |
|
Registry references and windows shortcuts are changed to D:\Programs\MyEditor. |
Assuming 'MyEditor' is a modern Windows program, as long as physical hard drives retain their original letter assignments, 'MyEditor' should continue to function normally from drive D: even though some files remain in the paths on drive C:.
From the above you can see why problems will arise your goal is to move 'MyEditor' to another computer. Why won't that work? Because some files related to 'MyEditor' are still on drive C:. For the same reasons you can't move 'MyEditor' to a new hard disk and then physically swap that hard disk so it has a new letter assignment.
If you have a strong technical knowledge about your program you could potentially get around this by using Application Mover repeatedly on various paths (and perhaps with some manual follow-up). However, this type of usage is not supported.