can you copy software to a disc from the computer?

[joko]

if you install software from a disk then damage the disk, can you copy it back on to a cd so you have a copy?

thanks

[rojash]

No, the disk contains the instructions to the operating system on which files to put where, updates to the registry, configurations files etc. Copying the installed program to a disk would be a bit like trying to extract the recipe and ingredients from a cake.

Bit late to say it now, but the best thing to do is copy the installation CD *before* it gets damaged!

[R1Geezer]

it depends there are so many variables. As rojash says, you cannot usually get back the the original format but you may be able to simply copy the whole directory from your PC to a CD and have a copy of how it is installed on your machine but that is also dependent on registry entries etc. Essenttially there is no definitive way. What is the software?

[society]

I've actually done what Geezer is suggesting and it worked.

[joko]

thanks all... it hasnt happened yet i was just curious really as to whether it could be done that way round

i think ill start making some copies now then....

also could you store a copy of a software disk on a pen drive? and install from there?