Windows 10: How to back up apps to external drive by simple copy?

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I have two apps (one of which is "Photos") in a folder called "Apps" on the C: drive. On the Desktop, there is one icon for each app. I don't see any of these apps in Control Panel.

For a simple copy to external drive, is it sufficient to copy only:

Desktop
C:\Apps

If I ever need to restore these, is it a simple copy in the reverse direction?

Thanks.
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:)

 

back up to external drive

I'm trying to back up to my external drive and it's not working - why?

Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Devices & drivers.

 

back up to external drive

I have no idea why it's not working because you forget to mention how you're backing up.

FWIW, here's how I backup. I use third-party backup software and follow these steps:

1- define what I want to backup (i.e., what folders to backup);

2- decide where to store my backups (e.g., an external hard drive);

3- choose a backup schedule (e.g., every morning at 3 AM);

4- decide how many previous backups to keep (e.g., keep the last 10 backups); and

5- save the above details as a backup job.

From that point on, the backup software does everything for me, automatically. Every now and then I check my external hard drive to ensure that the backup is working properly.

 

it's hard to say without knowing exactly what the apps are, how they were installed, and if they are portable or not. Most apps cannot be copied and restored that way because when they are installed they may put files in different Windows and user system folders and make registry entries. Some apps, though, called portable apps, can be copied to an external drive, run from the external drive, and copied back to the hard drive.

If you want to know for sure, copy the apps to an external drive, plug that drive into another computer that has never had those apps installed, and try to run them from the external drive.

 

Hi there. No, that will not work. You will either have to reinstall the app or create a mirrored backup of your system. A lot here use Macrium reflect to mirror. There is a free copy of that.

You may however back up all your important files such as photos, documents, etc. with a simple copy and paste.

 

That is not always 100% true. Portable apps can be copied that way. And since the app in question is in a non-standard location (C:\Apps) there is actually a little bit better chance the app in question is portable.

 

Of course you are correct. Didn't notice or register with me that it's C:/Apps. I was thinking C:/Programs Files.

 

.Thanks to NavyLCDR and HippsieGypsie for responses.


Here's some more info. The "Photos" app is a standard Microsoft app from here (actually maybe it was on my new machine):


https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/...ll-your-photos


Second app is Microsoft Killer Sudoku from here:


https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/stor...u/9wzdncrdlxl5


So, in the event of any disaster, I can simply redownload. The install is automatic and transparent (US transparent, not UK transparent - which means the exact opposite :LOL )


In both cases, the apps lose their identity after install - apart from the desktop icons, which bear their names. On closer examination of the icons, I don't think they point to C:\Apps as I said in my OP. I don't know where they point to- it's mostly hex, as for drivers (see screenshot). The two apps in C:\Apps were modified on same date - which would not be true for the two apps that I named above.


I have Macrium Reflect, but I only use that to restore my laptop to its new condition + all my installed software. That's mainly to cure the inevitable slowdown in Windows OS after several months of use. Using Macrium to restore a couple of apps seems like gross overkill. (BTW: I'm only looking ahead to possible future problems.)




So, at the moment, it seems to me that if I install any more apps, I need to record them in Evernote in order to be able to identify and redownload. That's progress for you
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You're welcome, OldGrantonian. MS Store apps (aka UWP [Universal Windows Platform] apps) are a different animal to the .exe (executable) apps, so their icon path to them is different. It actually points to what is known as a package.

You may view all of the UWP apps you have presently installed or ever have installed by opening the Store app (which in itself is a UWP app) > Click/push the 3-dot menu at the top right > Choose "My Library" > Choose "Show all" in each category. It'll show what you have and have not installed. The ones you have installed are blank. Click/push the down arrow to install one.

 

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Thanks HippsieGypsie. That's all useful info *Smile
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Again, you're welcome. Glad to be of help. *Smile