# Windows.old folder. How do I restore the programs?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-old-folder-how-do-i-restore-the-programs/378346>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 29, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-old-folder-how-do-i-restore-the-programs/378346 "2006-10-29T17:53:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-old-folder-how-do-i-restore-the-programs/378346/1 "2006-10-29T17:53:51Z")

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This was going to be a Pit, but it’s kinda neat to face a challenge. And it doesn’t appear that there’s any irreparable damage done.

Anyway, so I installed a new Radeon 9550 yesterday. For whatever reason the install disk just wasn’t doing the job. I went to ATI’s site and downloaded the drivers listed specifically for Vista RC1. Big mistake. The computer would no longer boot. I couldn’t run a restore, and even attempting to boot to safe mode, the system just kept rebooting itself.

So I had to do a full reinstall of RC1. I noticed afterwards that there was a message that all files and programs were saved to Windows.old.

Using both the My Comp and Windows Explorer functions, I found the files. For some of the programs I was able to create shortcuts on the desktop, and they’re working fine. Howeverr, some just don’t want to work. For instance, MSN Msgr gives a .dll error. Some of the other programs also suffer various .dll errors.

So the question (finally) is this; How do I “restore” the programs to the previous settings. What I mean is, how do I get the shortcuts, etc set up as before? Or am I looking at just reinstalling everything?

Thanks in advance.