Windows 7: Can W7 backup utility read XP backup files?

1. I upgraded from XP to Windows 7 after backing up my whole XP laptop.

2. I want to restore some programs from the XP backup to my Windows 7 laptop.

3. Windows 7 windows explorer sees my external usb disk and the XP backup file I want to
restore from.

4. However, Windows 7 backup utility does not see the external disk or the backup file.

5. Any ideas? Can the Windows 7 backup utility work with a backup file created by XP's
backup utility?

Hi Ikers;

Windows 7 backup does not recognize XP backups - However, Microsoft does offer a free tool:

Windows NT Backup - Restore Utility

Utility for restoring backups made on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to computers running Windows Vista and Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008.

Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - Windows NT Backup - Restore Utility

This download requires Validation from Microsoft - If your copy of the OS is less-than-legal, the Validation process could cause you some headaches.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the download page to the letter. And as always, create a system restore point and back up any personal data prior to downloading/installing the utility.

Best of luck to you!

Hi everyone -

My bad on this - I had used this utility on Vista with no problems, but had never actually tried it on Windows 7.

There's an additional step needed:

Description of the Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

- referenced from this MSDN article - Removable Storage Manager (Windows)

Sorry 'bout that...

Back again -

I just finished a search through my notes on program migration to new OS's, and the news isn't good:

Almost all programs since Windows 95 use an installer to unpack and create program files and settings. The installation process also writes info to the Registry. While the program files and directories can be restored from backups from an earlier OS, the Registry (generally) cannot be without causing damage to the new OS.

[Carefully selected portions of the Registry can be imported manually, but that's expert territory.]

Your older programs may work with only the files and directories are copied; then again, they may not.

(Re)Creating Registry entries for program installation by hand is not a task for the inexperienced or faint-hearted.

I suggest you dig out the old program installation CD/DVDs or simply buy new versions for installation on Win 7.

Finally, I would recommend you restore your XP backup(s) to an empty external drive rather than your OS or Data drives (you do use a separate drive for your data, right?) and then copy the required files to the preferred locations, in order to prevent additional headaches.