What really happens?

[jeckgo]

What actually happens when you install a program? The registry is edited and files are copied onto your hard drive, and i'm gussing they are then uncompressed, but assuming they're not compressed why couldnt you just copy the files onto another computer and copy the registry keys to another computer and run the program if they have the same file paths. And if they are compressed, what kind of compression is it, and how is it extracted?

 

[houssam_ballout]

usually the compression is differ between different programs, this is not as winzip, or some zipping tools or software that u know.
well ur idea, about moving the registry keys,and copy the program files into another drive, since I was reading a registry tutorial, and it sounds that u can do it

 

[Xelogen]

why couldnt you just copy the files onto another computer and copy the registry keys to another computer and run the program if they have the same file paths.

You can Ive found that some programs purposely install registry keys under more than location under LOCAL MACHINE etc. so that this is more difficult