Windows Easy Transfer
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 Windows Easy Transfer on Windows 7 |
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
| Initial release | November 8, 2006 |
| Stable release | 6.1.7600.16385 / October 22, 2009 |
| Operating system | Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
| Type | File transfer |
| License | Proprietary EULA |
| Website | Windows Easy Transfer |
Windows Easy Transfer is a file transferring program included in newer versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system which allows the switching files and settings between two PCs.[1] The program aides migration of Windows XP or earlier to a new computer running Windows Vista or Windows 7.[2] It succeeded the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard included in Windows XP. The application is downloadable for Windows XP.[3]
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard is a similar feature available in previous versions of Windows. This tool, and the backup files it creates, are not supported by Windows Vista or Windows 7. This means that users who follow a typical Backup->Erase->Install->Restore path will be unable to recover their files or settings. A work-around is to plan ahead; install the Windows Easy Transfer for Windows XP first, then proceed using that solution rather than the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard for Windows XP.
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[edit] Features transferred
Windows Easy Transfer can transfer [2]:
- Files and folders including photos, music, videos, documents, email messages and contacts
- User accounts and user account settings
- Application configuration data files and settings
- Several Windows configuration settings stored in the registry
The program does not support transferring entire applications themselves and system files such as fonts and drivers.[2] For transferring certain supported applications, Microsoft had planned to release Windows Easy Transfer Companion but never released the final version.[4] Also, for power users, administrators and enterprise computers, a command-line User State Migration Tool (USMT) is available.[5]
[edit] Transfer methods
There are several methods that can be used [2]:
- Using a proprietary USB-to-USB bridge cable known as the Easy Transfer Cable
- Using CD/DVD, a USB flash drive, or an external hard disk drive
- Over a wired or wireless network or using an ethernet crossover cable or (if at least one of the computers is new enough to feature Auto-MDIX) a plain ethernet cable.
Transferring over a Direct Cable Connection using parallel or serial cables and using floppy disks is not supported.[6] These methods were supported in the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP.
[edit] Current issues
There are currently issues transferring data from systems in different languages. Files could not be recovered on those situations, and the backup could be only opened using an operating system with the original language.
Also, Windows Easy Transfer does not support transferring from a 64-bit to a 32-bit system.[7]
[edit] See also
- Management features new to Windows Vista
- Easy Computer Sync - another product designed for the Easy Transfer Cable
[edit] References
- ^ p356 Transferring Information Between Two PCs with Windows Easy Transfer Dummies Vista
- ^ a b c d Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista
- ^ Quick Start Guide to Windows Vista User Profile Migration
- ^ Using Windows Easy Transfer: Windows Vista blog
- ^ User State Migration Tool (USMT) 3
- ^ The option to use a serial cable connection or an infrared link is unavailable when you create an incoming connection in Windows Vista
- ^ Microsoft (April 18, 2010). "Transferring files and settings: frequently asked questions". http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Transferring-files-and-settings-frequently-asked-questions. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
