When I backup a pc, does it also save the programs?

I am planning on backing up my laptop and I have a couple programs that my school installed on it which I can't just download. When I backup my laptop, will it also backup the programs installed or does it only backup individual files?

Depending on the type of backup you're planning on doing. If you're planning on backing up the entire hard drive (create a clone image of it), then all your programs will be backed up. If you are simply backing files, then it's not backing up your programs. In order for the programs to work, not only you have to backup the program folder, you have to backup the system folders, the registry, and any other software/services that the program depends on. Two good softwares for such a task are Norton Ghost, and Acronis.

I am using norton ghost only because I've been using it for so long, and don't feel like learning anything new right now. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/accuse_write?qid=20080407172540AA1iMEi&kid=NbUvWzK0UjRfvxAgBfJP&s=comm&date=2008-04-08+19%3A33%3A01&.crumb=