How to migrate to Windows 7 with Easy Transfer?

Upgrading users to a new operating system seems to be a constant trap, and upgrading to Windows 7 is no exception. If you are migrating multiple users, you definitely need some tools to help automate this task. Fortunately, Microsoft has developed a tool for this: the just-in-time Windows Easy Transfer (Windows Easy Transfer). This simple tool migrates your user's profile information (desktop, library, email configuration and program settings) and other computer files and settings from older Windows PCs to the new Windows PC.

Easy Transfer has other uses. For example, you can use it to copy Windows and program settings between your work and home computers, or to copy configuration settings and data to other office computers. It can come in handy as long as you want to transfer or copy user profiles between two computers.

Before you start, you need a medium to transfer data. You can use cable, network or external hard drive /USB flash drive. I'm having trouble using network options to transfer data across different virtual LANs, but choosing a hard drive option and saving it to a network share is a simple workaround. I used the Belkin Easy Transfer Line (http://www.belkin.com /IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=506029) to get very good results: as long as the two systems are connected, all the data can be copied at once.

Windows Easy Transfer is included with all versions of Windows 7, but since the computer you are migrating may not have this tool, you first need to use the Easy Transfer tool (http://windows.microsoft.com/en) -US/windows7/products/features /Windows-easy-transfer) Download to your old PC.

o After launching Windows Easy Transfer on the host computer and skipping the welcome screen, you need to select a medium (easy transfer line, network, external hard drive or flash drive).

o Next, you will see a prompt telling Easy Transfer whether this is a "new" computer or an "old" computer. (Hint: This is an old computer.)

oWindows Easy Transfer provides a list of all user profiles and shared content on your computer. You can check each object you want to copy. I really like this feature because it means there is no need to log in as a specific user in order to migrate the relevant configuration files. In addition, if you prefer to specifically exclude any information, you can customize each profile.

o If you choose an easy transfer line or network, your computer will wait for you to launch the Easy Transfer wizard on the "new" Windows 7 computer. You can find the wizard under "Accessories" -> "System Tools" on the "All Programs" menu, or you can enter Windows Easy Transfer into the search bar. Then, make the appropriate selection and enter the provided Easy Transfer Key.

o After the two computers find each other, the transfer will start.

o If you choose the external hard drive/USB flash drive option, you will see a prompt to save the data to where it is (possibly the network share). Once the data is saved, you will need to step through the same steps on the new Windows 7 computer and navigate to the Easy Transfer file to complete the migration.

Unfortunately, the Windows Easy Transfer tool can't do one thing for you, that is, transfer the application. So, be prepared to find the original installation disk and find the license key. For this reason, Easy Transfer is best for homes and small businesses; because it is cost-effective for these users to spend time reinstalling applications compared to the more mature and reliable user migration tools.

Although migrating your users from XP to Windows 7 may not be completely effortless, Windows Easy Transfer simplifies the migration process.