Not all programs are handled the same way
Not all programs are handled the same way
I put Windows 10 on a fresh machine. Since my internet connection is poor and I’m not very proactive, I just transferred several apps onto an external hard drive and moved them onto the new OS. But now they don’t behave like genuine software! If you understand what I’m saying, it’s similar to when I try to add them in the Start menu but they don’t show up or can’t be installed. My default browser won’t switch to Chrome either. Anyone have ideas on how to fix this?
The installers perform more than just pulling in the application files; they also generate shortcuts and adjust the registry settings (such as connecting the uninstaller to the "add programs" panel, setting file extensions, adding it to browser lists, etc.). To ensure proper installation, you should reinstall them using the correct method.
For many programs you can simply add the extra setup step. For specific cases or problems I provide more details. Regarding Start menu shortcuts, create a shortcut of the .exe file and rename it appropriately. Then place it in either C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs or C:\Users\<your name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. The first option shares the shortcut for all users, while the second is exclusive to your account. Keep in mind that "AppData" is a hidden folder; if it doesn't appear, type its location into the address bar.