Windows 7 comes with a built-in migration tool called Windows Easy Transfer, which allows you to transfer personal files and user settings between computers. It is also included in Windows Vista, and you can download it for Windows XP, so you can transfer any files, including pictures, music, emails, videos and documents, and user accounts and settings from your old PC onto a new PC or laptop that is running Windows 7.
You can also transfer Windows and application configuration data that is stored in the Windows registry, but you cannot transfer applications.
There are a couple of ways you can transfer data. You can use an easy transfer cable, although this is not an option if you are transferring data to windows 8.1. you can transfer data over a network, or you can use a USB flash drive or external hard disk.
Windows easy transfer does not support transferring information from a 64-bit to a 32-bit system and when using Windows 8.1 easy transfer can only import settings from Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows RT, it can't collect and store settings from Windows 8.1.
A Windows easy transfer cable is a USB 2.0 device that is used to connect two computers together. It has a USB-A male connector at each end of the cable, with a small box in the middle that contains the electronics and chipset needed to allow the computers to communicate with each other, and control current flow between the two computers. Use of this cable is not supported by Windows 8.1.
I am going to show you how to transfer data using a USB flash drive. I will be transferring from my virtual Windows Vista machine to a virtual Windows 7 machine.
If you are upgrading to Windows 7 or installing Windows 7 on the computer that you currently use then you will need to create the transfer disk before you upgrade.
In your start menu search bar type "Windows easy transfer" and then click on the program that comes up:
You may be asked to give permission for the application to run:
You will then see an introduction screen:
You will now need to select whether you would like to start a new transfer, or continue a transfer you previously started. For the purpose of this guide we are starting a new transfer.
You will then need to select whether you are using your old or new computer, as we are creating an easy transfer disk we are using our old computer.
You then need to select how you will be transferring the data, we will be using a removable media.
You will now need to select which removable media you are using. We are using a USB flash drive.
Confirm that that the drive letter corresponds with what you expect it be. You can also chose to use a password for extra security.
Next select what you want to transfer to your new PC, the recommended option is to transfer everything.
Your PC will then check what can be transferred, and you will then need to review the selected files and setting.
Your PC will now create the disk.
You are now ready to transfer the files to Windows 7.
You can now upgrade your PC to windows 7 without losing any data. If you would like to perform an upgrade you can find a guide
here. If you are performing a clean installation you can find a guide
here.
On your new Windows 7 computer you will need to type Windows easy transfer into the search bar again, and click on the application.
You will see the same introduction screen that you saw on your vista machine.
You will need to select to use a flash drive.
You will then need to select the new computer option
You will need to plug in the flash drive you used to create your easy transfer disk and then select yes.
Now you will need to naviagte to where the easy transfer file is stored
If you entered a password when you created the file you will be prompted to enter it again now
Next you will need to choose what you would like to transfer over to your new PC. For example although you chose to create the disk using all of the users and files from your old computer you may decide that you only want to transfer one user onto your new PC.
Now all of the information will be transferred.
Once this is done you will be given the option to see what was transferred
You will see a transfer report similar to:
In order to complete your transfer, you will need to restart your computer.
And that's it. You have now successfully migrated your user profile from Windows Vista to Windows 7!
