How can I backup an Application in the applications folder? [duplicate]
I was wondering what will happen if I copy the content of an application in the applications folder, compress it and move it to another hard drive. Will it work if I put it in the Application's folder again, uncompressed? Will it work in other macs?
EDIT: Ok. Now I understand there are at least two kind of applications; One kind uses an installer and the other simply a copy mechanism.
The second kind can be backed up my copy the Application.App. But, for the former one, how can I get a backup for Photoshop and stuff like that?
Generally, yes, since most applications are installed through copying the application from a DMG file into your Applications folder. However, this is not always the case, since applications can also be installed through the use of OS X Installer or a 3rd party installer.
As a rule of thumb, if an application was installed through an installer, copying the .app from the Applications folder won't be enough.
If you wish to backup an application that came from an installer, you will usually require that installer. If you have a valid license for the software (e.g. Photoshop) you can redownload the installer from Adobe's website and use that to install it.
When you entered your key into the application, it will have created a hardware-linked key that ensures the software cannot be copied to a new computer without re-entering the software key. The easiest way is just to use the installer itself to reinstall the software.
In addition, don't forget about the additional files that may be created when you run the application. For example, files in the Application Support folder. You can use an complete app remover such as AppCleaner to list the files that may be related to the app.
In this case, there was a .plist preference file in ~/Library/Preferences that holds DaisyDisk's user preferences. Copying this file to a different computer in the same place should keep the preferences.
On the other hand, cache files such as those in ~/Caches are not usually necessary to be backed-up/copied.
It could work, but not in all cases. Some applications store data like preferences or license keys on another location. Especially applications that were installed using a installer rather than drag and drop.
So for some apps you lose preferences for the application when you copy it that way and run it on another computer, so it's like you open the application for the first time. And some applications won't work at all on another computer, because essential data is missing.
A better way to create backups that will definitely work is by using Time Machine.