Question : Running programs from network drives?

Can someone tell me what the difference is between running an application from a network drive and a local harddrive?

My problem is this, we distribute alot of different software to clients that sometimes want to deploy the software in theire organisation by simply installing it to a shared folder, on a network drive. Then they just have to distribute a shortcut icon, which points to the program folder on the network, to all the computer clients. (I am NOT talking about running software through a Terminal Server)

Some program developers specifically mention that theire software can be used in that way, but many dont mention at all if there are any other ways of running the software than from the local harddrive.
For software that doesnt seem to work, after just installing it to a network folder - I have been  experimenting a bit by altering the theire .msi packages and dividing them into two .msi packets.

I.E. I made one msi packet with only the program files, using it to install on a shared folder on a network, and another msi packet which I deployed to a client with only the registry information. I thought this might work... but it doesnt. But the thing is, I can copy the same program files folder from the network drive, to a second, local harrdrive (f.ex. "E:") and there I can run the program.

So there is obviously some significant difference between executing files directly from a network drive and from an internal harddrive. Can you explain this for me?

And furthermore, do you have some advice on whether it is generally possible at all, to alter the software installation in some way, that it becomes possible to run the software directly from a network drive, instead of from a local harddrive?

Thanks in advance!

Answer : Running programs from network drives?

When the computer is starting a application from the network the application is actually encapsulating itself into TCP\IP. The application was built to work over the network. If you want to know the actual procedures then maybe asking the question in the programing zone would help give you the logistics of the programing.