Run Programs from the LAN


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Tutorial Home >Hardware >Networking >Troubleshooting Peer Networks >Fix File Sharing Problems >Run Programs from the LAN

  Step 1:  Looking for space or users

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Some people consider installing software on a network drive instead of a local drive, so more than one user can run the software. Others do it to free up space on the local disk drive. If only one computer on the network needs to use the software, it can be installed to a file share anywhere on the LAN, and it will almost certainly work correctly, though it will run slower because of network delays.
  Step 2:  Learn about program models

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A program installation in Windows can consist of three parts. The program and its associated files are placed in the installation directory. Application extensions (DLLs) needed by the program are placed in a Windows directory. Program environment information (registry keys) is placed in the system registry file. The DLLs and registry keys are optional: not all programs use them.
  Step 3:  Install multi-user and keys

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A program installed to a network drive may not work correctly on computers other than the one on which the installation was run, if the program uses Windows registry keys. Most new programs use the registry for environment information. Since the registry must reside on the local Windows drive, separate installs must be done on each computer. Normally if a program uses registry keys, it will give an error message if they are not present; for example, if you run the program on another unit.
  Step 4:  Install multi-user and DLLs

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If you install a program to a network drive and try to run it on a different computer, it may give an error message. If the message complains about a registry key, the program should be uninstalled, then separate installs done to the local drives on each computer. If instead it mentions a DLL file, that file may be copied from the computer on which the install was done. Windows will warn you if you accidentally try to replace a DLL file with an older version.
  Step 5:  Install static components

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If you have to do separate program installations because of registry usage, you may still be able to use a network drive to reduce duplicate information. Some install programs allow different parts of the program to be installed in different places. In this case, those parts of the program that don't change over time, for example, help files or document templates, could still be put on a network drive. To do this you may need to go to the install program's advanced options screen.