Does software need to be dragged over to the Applications folder for them to work correctly ?

[easybullet3]

if I were to install some software and drag it to another folder (and not to the applications folder), will it still work fine ?
is there any problem with this? (other than an unorganized mess)

i do not wish to create an Alias.
I intend to hide the software in a folder so that it cant be found by my friends.

 

[maflynn]

if I were to install some software and drag it to another folder (and not to the applications folder), will it still work fine ?

Depends, many applications won't care, but some will. What apps?

I intend to hide the software in a folder so that it cant be found by my friends.

Install them on ~/Applications instead of /Applications and then create a second account for your friends to use. This will prevent your friends from using those apps, since they'll be in the Applications that will exist in your home folder.

 

[posguy99]

I intend to hide the software in a folder so that it cant be found by my friends.

Of course the real question would be why in the world is someone else allowed to use your machine.

 

[Partron22]

If you get your software through the Apple store, the store is going to have trouble finding a moved App when update time comes around.
Sometimes that's worth the bother: Move the App to Applications, do the update, move it back where you want it.
You can also rename Apps to useful effect, or make them invisible by adding a '.' in front of their name. Launch the latter via script, or from Terminal.
Putting all your sound Apps or ebook utilities in a single folder within the App folder makes sense, but again, the App store will complain.
Just dragging an App out of the App folder will give you an Alias, and leave the App in the folder.
Hold down alt to make a copy of the App, and command to actually move it out of the Applications folder.

 

[Tech198]

Most apps don't care where they run aka open source apps for example are excluded in this i have some in Documents and run from there no problem, but Apple apps tend do be picky as well as default installers (drag and drop to Applications)

Regardless of where u run it from, it's gonna be a 'mes' anyway if u wanna call it that, as same location for config file, and related files will still go to same default folders eg /Application support, /Cache, and /Preferences anyway.

 

[simonsi]

I intend to hide the software in a folder so that it cant be found by my friends.

Give your "friends" their own account and install the software only for use by your account. Keep your account as the only one with admin rights.

No bizarre/weirdo/messy setup needed...

 

[alphaod]

Just run these off an external and unplug it when you're giving someone else access… though I don't ask to use and I don't let people use my computer with the important stuff on it.