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Just finished installing WindowsXP on a new hard drive and I'm wondering if there is a way of moving (copying) Firefox and Thunderbird to the Main (C:\) drive from the backup on a second drive. What I'm trying to avoid is a complete installation of FF and TB. Is such a move possible?
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No, afraid not... You will have to install the programs so that they can write to the Registry. In addition most Windows programs copy files to other locations, e.g., System32, Common Files, etc.
I always hate to contradict Ramona, as she usually has the last word about Mozilla programs, but in this case she's incorrect (sorry, Ramona ).
If you have complete backups (program and profile folders) of FF and TB, the programs do not need to be installed. Simply copy the backups to your desired location (the program folders do NOT to be in C:\Program Files, nor do the profile folders need to be in C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data. And, they can be named anything you like, but I suggest keeping it simple. For instance, my FF and TB profile and program folders are in E:\Mozilla (E: is my data partition) ... see the screenshot.
The one thing you must do before attempting to run either program is run its Profile Manager, either to create a new profile or to tell the program where to find an existing profile folder. This action creates the Mozilla (or Thunderbird) folder in C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data and writes the included profiles.ini file, which tells the program where to find the profile folder.
The necessary Registry entries are created during this process and when either FF or TB is first run.
If you install FF or TB, the Custom installation (which I recommend rather than the Standard installation) also allows essentially the same method of locating and naming the program and profile folders.
Excellent! But I would never contradict Ramona either. In the distant past it seems that I was able to move Firefox and Thunderbird from one drive to another. I suppose that I was looking for reassurance since I'm not too brave when it comes to this computer stuff. So I took the sure way out and did complete reinstalls.
My system will be essentially as you describe yours but on different partitions. When I do my next backup FF and TB will be identical on each drive. This was the condition that I had (and will have) when I can use FF or TB on either drive. Thank you for your time and the detailed explanation. It gave me assurance and can help others under similar conditions.
It's been awhile since I last did what I described so, to confirm the process, I deleted the FF and TB program and profile folders from my laptop computer, deleted the entries in C:\Docs & Settings, cleaned the Registry of all references to FF, TB, and Mozilla, and copied the program and profile folders over from my desktop computer.
After running the Profile Manager for each program to point it to the correct profile folder, both FF and TB opened normally, with all extensions.
I maintain Profile Manager shortcuts to make my life easier, but for anyone wondering how else to access the PM, an easy way is:
Start > Run, type <path to> firefox.exe-p (note the space between .exe and -p), where <path to> is the actual physical path to firefox.exe. For TB, substitute thunderbird.exe.
You can contradict me anytime you want, and I promise to be open minded.
That being said, and on the current subject of moving program folders:
To reiterate: as long as you keep in mind that many programs (for Windows) copy files to other locations (system32 folder in Windows, Common Files folder in Program Files, etc.) in addition to their own folder under Program Files. Some programs add many important entries to the Windows Registry, during the install. These registry entries usually contain vital information regarding the program (program settings and parameters, user’s custom settings, etc.).
For many programs, although you might be able to execute them, once copied, if there are corrupt files, then you may experience unexpected crashes when the program looks for and doesn't find, the files and registry entries it expects. Firefox, however, isn't a complex program, so that is why it might work.
Having said that, there is no harm in trying the copy procedure that you have described, Jim, but my advice to members is to not count on it to work perfectly.
Considering how simple it is to install Firefox, my preference is the installation process.
...as long as you keep in mind that many programs (for Windows) copy files to other locations (system32 folder in Windows, Common Files folder in Program Files, etc.) in addition to their own folder under Program Files.
That's true, but what you say doesn't apply to either FF or TB, which are the ONLY programs being discussed.
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The programs also add many important entries to the Windows Registry, during the install. These registry entries usually contain vital information regarding the program (program settings and parameters, user’s custom settings, etc.).
As I said, the Registry entries required for either FF or TB are created when the Program Manager is run, and when the program is first run.
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Having said that, there is no harm in trying the copy procedure that you have described, Jim, but my advice to members is to not count on it to work perfectly.
I've been doing it for years, since FF was called Phoenix, and have yet to have a problem.
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Considering how simple it is to install Firefox, my preference is the installation process.
I always do a clean install when a new version comes out, mostly because new releases are available ONLY in installer versions. I WON'T use the Standard Installation procedure, however, because it gives the user no choices about folder location. With a valid backup, however, I find it easier to simply copy the folders. On that point, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
That's true, but what you say doesn't apply to either FF or TB, which are the ONLY programs being discussed.
Yes, that is true, and why I said:
"Firefox, however, isn't a complex program, so that is why it might work."
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I've been doing it for years, since FF was called Phoenix, and have yet to have a problem.
That's terrific, and I'm not challenging that it works for you...
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I always do a clean install when a new version comes out, mostly because new releases are available ONLY in installer versions. I WON'T use the Standard Installation procedure, however, because it gives the user no choices about folder location. With a valid backup, however, I find it easier to simply copy the folders. On that point, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Different opinions are what makes the world go round, Jim.
Jim,
I have never tried what you said that it possible, so do I understand this correctly that one can copy/paste the program files, as well as profile files?
And, is the program to be run like an unzipped program? Yes, I found that unzipped programs do create registry key, although the program is not listed in the add/remove ( it is sometimes).
...do I understand this correctly that one can copy/paste the program files, as well as profile files?
Yes.
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...is the program to be run like an unzipped program?
Yes, but you should always run the Profile Manager before running the program, just to be sure that the program knows where to look for your profile if it's in other than the default location.
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I found that unzipped programs do create registry key, although the program is not listed in the add/remove ( it is sometimes).
Copying and running FF or TB in the manner I described creates the necessary Registry keys, but will not create entries in Add/Remove.
Should you need to remove either FF or TB completely, simply delete the program folder (but not the profile folder), delete the C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Mozilla (or \Thunderbird) folder and use a program such as RegSeeker to remove all Registry keys pointing to either "firefox" or "thunderbird". I usually remove both programs at the same time, just so I can remove all Registry keys pointing to "mozilla", as well.
FWIW, I think it's a good idea to clean the Registry after removing any program with Add/Remove ... it's amazing how much detritus gets left behind in the Registry.
I use ccleaner, on the regular basis, and, I see a lot of unexpected junk.
As for starting with a profile, I do it all the time, since I have multiple profiles.
If an unzipped program works, why not the backup.
Anyway, I think that I got the picture (I have not been as diligent as you, but I remember your advices when something odd surfaces).
). 
