Windows 10: Can I transfer software from Vista to Win 10 via flash drive?

I have The Encyclopedia of Religion (pub'd 1990s) on a Vista laptop. I tried to use its CD to install it on my Windows 10 laptop (Dell Inspiron 5755), which has a disk drive, but the computer would not accept the program, it couldn't be installed. Is it possible for me to transfer the program with a flash drive, or will it just not work at all with Win 10? I had tried to add it to the Program files, but it required administrator permission, so I waited to learn more. In the meantime I placed it on the Desktop but did not try to open it. This encyclopedia is in a new edition now and expensive, so I would like to use it on the new laptop.

:)

 

Picture Transfer from Vista to Win 10 via flashdrive

I have a HP tower running vista. I want to transfer pictures to my new tower with win 10. I tried to copy photos to flash drive and then to win 10 and seemed to work but nothing appeared (tried several times). I have found there is software available to
allow file transfer from vista to win 10 but what if i just put the pictures on my win 7 tower and update to win 10? Would the pictures transfer over? Could I transfer those photos to another win 10 machine and they would appear?

 

Picture Transfer from Vista to Win 10 via flashdrive

Hi Scottishlion,


Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.



I understand the inconvenience you are facing. Let me help you in resolving the issue.

I would like to inform you that transferring files from one computer has almost nothing to do with what versions of Windows are on the two computers. There are several approaches to doing this. Which is best for you mostly depends on how much data you have
to transfer. Here are some choices:

1. Transfer them on CD/DVD.

2. E-mail them from the old machine and read the E-mail on the new one.

3. Network the two computers, and just copy the files over the network.

4. Temporarily (or even permanently) install the old computer's hard drive in the new computer and just copy them over.

5. Use a USB thumb drive.

Hope the information helps. Keep us posted on Windows related queries and we will be happy to assist you further.

 

Have you tried to install the program in Compatibility mode

Have a look at this tutorial written by Brink on TenForums and run the setup program in compatibility mode.
Compatibility Mode Settings for Apps - Change in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

It depends on the program. Some are self contained, usually referred to as portable. Some rely upon installed or installing components into the Windows OS to operate. Nothing to lose by just trying to run the program from it's folder copied over. If it isn't self-contained it will either complain it needs some component installed or just crash.

 

Thanks! I am a bit phobic about trying unfamiliar things...

 

I appreciate the reply. I will check it out.

 

Just a thought: OP mentions in first post that the program is from 90's, which strongly hints that it's a 16 bit program.

If OP runs a 64 bit Windows 10, it might be impossible to get a legacy 16 bit program to run in it. Even 32 bit Windows 10 might have issues with such old programs.