Consequences of not re-installing the games after reinstalling Windows?

[WallysWorld]

So while I cry about what happened, my Windows 10 drive got corrupted somehow and I ended up reinstalling Windows from scratch. Thankfully I have backups of all my drives including the drive that has all of the CMx2 games on it including the files that are usually in the Documents folder on the Windows drive. So I didn't lose any files associated with CMx2 as their files are on a non-Windows drive.

Anyway it appears that I can just reactivate the games and expansions with the keys and the games run fine without having to reinstall them. I just tried that with CMBN and it plays just fine. I would just like to know if I'll be having future issues (new patches, expansions, etc...) by not reinstalling the games so that they appear in the registry as being installed.

The one exception that I do have to reinstall is CMA because of its different protection.

Any kind opinions on what option I should take?

1) Reinstall all CMx2 games and expansions from scratch and of course activate using the keys?

2) Don't bother reinstalling again and just reactivate using the keys.

Thanks.

[Schrullenhaft]

I think the registry settings will only list where the game was installed and put up an uninstaller in the 'Apps & Features' control panel. Patches MIGHT reference this registry entry to find where the particular game is installed or they may just use a default and not pay attention to any registry key. If you used a non-default directory, then simply knowing its path and providing it during the patching process would probably be enough.

I would assume it would be safe to use the backup copies of the game (restoring both the game's main folder and any data folders for the game that reside in your user account folders). Once the game and any modules/upgrades are activated, you should be good to go. If anything doesn't work then simply reinstall. Even deleting the game completely and reinstalling should NOT require any further activation (as long as Windows doesn't become corrupted again and require a clean reinstall).

[WallysWorld]

Thanks for the reply, Schrullenhaft. 

I've got CMBN and CMBS running again so far with just reactivating the licenses. CMA had to be reinstalled though due to the different license method with that game.

[chuckdyke]

All my games including the games I play are backed up on Microsoft's 'One Drive'. I imagine if I ever have something like your problem, it is download everything back on my computer. 

[Wodin]

On 1/8/2021 at 1:52 PM, chuckdyke said:

All my games including the games I play are backed up on Microsoft's 'One Drive'. I imagine if I ever have something like your problem, it is download everything back on my computer. 

I use MEGA