feyo

I often find myself wanting to move programs around on my Axim (for various reasons). The simple way would be to uninstall/reinstall where I want it; however, I understand that one could update the shortcut and registry to accomplish the same thing. I would very much like to learn how to do this (and related operations). Could anyone suggest a website, book, etc. that could provide me with the knowledge I would need to acquire in order to do these sorts of things?

TSB8C

It would be nice to move an app from time to time without having to uninstall and re-install it. And some apps can actually be as easy as simply moving the file(s) and updating the shortcut in the Start menu. However, many apps create one or more registry entries that may contain paths to files or folders the app needs to access. If you just move the application files, these registry paths could no longer be valid and cause errors when the apps try to run. There are registry editing utilities that work quite well, but it is still dangerous to be poking around in the registry if you are not absolutely sure of the changes you are making. In addition, it is sometimes difficult to tell what entries in the registry go with which apps. They do not all have clearly defined names that match. Many registry keys contain GUID's (unique ID numbers) that are meaningless for the most part as far as interpreting them. I'd stick with uninstalling and re-installing apps when a move is desired.

You can get a free registry editor at http://phm.lu/products and use the "find" feature to search the registry for values pertaining to certain apps and then edit them when found. But as I said, not all values associated to a given app will have a meaningful name you can search for very easily. Good luck.

Mizar

I respectfully beg to differ, TSBBC. I've been moving programs around regularly and have had no trouble at all. Any reference to the app's path in the Registry can easily be found with the search function and then altered to point to the new location. The program's GUID has nothing to do with it.

I absolutely agree that one needs to feel comfortable with editing the Registry first and really should do a backup before messing with it. Other precautions would include ensuring that all apps are shut down before moving the app in question; that certain apps (such as those run at boot/power-up time or apps that need to run even when a storage card is not available) not be moved from Main; and that moving a lot of apps to Built-In Storage isn't a good idea.

My post in this thread shows how to move an app and update its associated shortcuts and Registry entries.

People are going to try it anyway; may as well help them do it relatively safely.

-Bill

feyo

I appreciate the information, and I think your attitude is right on - I may not know entirely what I am doing, but I am going to try it anyway!

Mizar

...after first making a full backup, learning how to use a file manager utility, and promising yourself to be extremely careful with the Registry editor, right?

-Bill

TSB8C

Mizar -

Your input is well taken. Many apps can be safely moved with no problem. Also, you are right that people will want to try and do it, so let's help. I didn't mean to imply that people should avoid it altogether. I just wanted to point out the inherent risks involved for those who want to "play it safe". However, let me give you an example of where a person could get into trouble.

I installed PocketChess which allows you to save your game in a .PCG file. The installation routine for that app created the shortcut in the Start menu and also created a file association in the registry. I can either start the app and then use the File menu to open a saved game file, or I can simply tap on a .PCG file in File Explorer and it uses the registry entries to locate the executable for the app and launch it. If I were to move that app and fail to properly edit all the registry entries manually, File Explorer would display an error when I tapped on a .PCG file trying to load it. By searching through the registry to make all the manual edits (8 of them), I found that some registry keys were named "PocketChess" and some others were named "PChess". If I had simply searched through the registry looking for the app name, "PocketChess", and editing those values I found, I would have missed some. By uninstalling and reinstalling the app, I am guaranteed the registry values will be properly pointing to the new location.

Believe me, I am a big proponent of custom tweaking and poking around looking for ways to improve or customize my system. I even authored the registry tweak tutorial posted on this site (http://www.aximsite.com/modules.php?...rticle&artid=1) to show and help people do some of these things. I just want folks to realize what they are getting into when doing "non normal" activities so they don't mess their system up - or at least know the risks before they do.

Thank you for the feedback and I agree with you that most of the time it can be done with no problem.

feyo

I'll do my best not to get myself into trouble - and perform a full backup before not getting into trouble.

Thanks for the info.

Mizar

Looks like we're pretty much on the same page after all, TSB8C. Well said, and no disagreement from this end.

One thing I would point out is to search for the app's existing path in the registry, rather than for registry keys by name; or for the app's .exe filename if it's installed directly into \Program Files and not a subfolder thereof. Highly effective.

Anyone who browses to the thread I linked to above will find a fairly strong do-at-your-own-risk warning. I certainly didn't mean to downplay the risks involved in editing the Registry.

Glad to correspond with someone else who likes getting into the guts of the gadget and tweak things.

-Bill