program backup

[frogwart]

I would like to backup programs I use by zipping them, but how can I be sure that all the associated files, such as DLLs etc, will also be backed up in the archive? Is there a program that will do this? Thanks for any help.

[Gene C.]

you can use windows own backup. but, it won't zip them. I have used the winzip programs for years to zip things up. http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/search.html?Utext=winzip&Usrt=rel&Usrchtype=simple

[frogwart]

Yes I know you can use winzip to backup programs, but it won't, as far as I know, find associated files such as DLLs that programs place in other directories when installed. I mean if I winzip say excel and then install and expand this archive onto another hard drive it will not have all the essential files to run. So my question is how do you determine which files a program needs so you can be sure to include these with your archive. Thanks for any help.