All files required to run a program

Hi.
I don't exactly know where to post this, but anywho.

Alright.
How is it possible for me to find every single .dll and other associated file, so i can have the program run solely off my external hard-drive.


I know this can be done, just unsure as to how.

Thanks in advance for ALL your help,
swanniebroo

In almost all cases it's not going to be possible.

Many programs are written to drop their .dll files in System32 folder, and they're typically referenced by an environment variable which is compiled into the executible's code.. In addition almost all programs are going to add countless registry values which are required for the program to function properly which would no longer be accessible if you tried to do what you wanted.

There are rare exceptions to this. For example, hijackthis.exe you could run from just about anywhere because it was self-contained. I'm not even certain that is the case any longer, but that's the only program that comes to mind that would be similar to what you'd like to do.

I concur, it depends on the program you want.

Most will not run but the "self contained" programs will.

I used to play video games off of CDs. I burned the installed progam and all related files onto the CD and in was self contained. Was a great way to save space when my hard drive was a whole 5Gig. LOL

yeah that was the kind of thing i was thinking. mostly games and stuff, so that i don't have to keep re-installing them. i know it can be done, just don't know how.