Windows shutdown to install update while using Windows Easy Transfer

enistoja

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I just got a new computer, and was on the process of transferring my files from my old computer using Windows Easy Transfer.

It was taking a while so I left it on overnight. When I checked on it again, it had reboot to install windows updates. Now, I've got a folder in my Users section that apparently weights 0 bytes, but that is taking up easily 100 GB, which I also cannot access; for trying to do so leaves me with the same explorer window, and unable to return using the address bar or the back arrow.

Is there anything I can do about it?

And do you recommend me try again, or just copy my files manually using an external hard drive?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 64 bit
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS
OS
Windows 7 64 bit
If it's just files then the external drive is the way to go. If you want to transfer more, like favorites, E-mail, history, application data, then WET is the way to go.

As for the file in your users directory, can you access it after a reboot?
What is the full path name of the folder/file?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro X64Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHzIntel Integrated HD Graphics
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo IdeaCenter 450
OS
Windows 10 Pro X64
CPU
Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
Memory
16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Integrated HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD
2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2
1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
Keyboard
Dell USB
Mouse
Lenovo USB
Internet Speed
Cable via Road Runner 3MB Upload, 30MB Download
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Windows Defender, MBAM Pro, MBAE
Browser
Seamonkey
Other Info
UEFI/GPT
PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I went for the reboot, but the ghost file is still there, inaccessible as before, still making the window unusable if I try to explore it.
The address is C:\Users\enistoja
And it's not just the files but all the software I already have on my old pc (Admittedly I can just reinstall it but I thought it was possible to skip that)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 64 bit
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS
OS
Windows 7 64 bit
Well I'd first retry using windows easy transfer.

If that fails because of the folder issue (I'm hoping it can fix the folder issue itself) then you may have to reinstall, but this time, do all the updates first.

I've had windows do that to me on my server while doing a 24 hour long first machine backup of gigs of data. Auto update just halts it, reboots the server and it sits there stupidly the next day with a half broken backup :(
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 x64 Ultimatei7 96012 Gig Corsair DominatorNvidia 480
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Scratch built
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
i7 960
Motherboard
Asus P6X58D
Memory
12 Gig Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 480
Sound Card
Maudio Delta 44 + breakout box
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp U2410 24in and Samsung 21 dual monitors
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
Primary: Intel X-25M G2 160G SSD
Secondary: Segate baracuda 1.0 TB
HDs in AHCI mode.
PSU
Corasair TX850
Case
Cooler Master HAF
Cooling
Corsair H50
Keyboard
Logitech G15 + N52 game pad
Mouse
Logitech MX518
Internet Speed
15kbs down 4.5kbps up
Other Info
WEI 7.6
CPU & RAM 7.6
Graphics 7.9
Hard disk 7.7
I'm not sure about the cleanup part, but I would have suggested avoided Easy Transfer from the beginning. Why let a wizard decide what's important to you, when it is just as easy to move the data from your drive to an external in the first place?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1Intel Core i7-260012 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333Nvidia GTX 470
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7-2600
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3P-B3
Memory
12 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 470
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp 2209WA
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility3 240 GB, WD5001AALS, WD7501AALS
PSU
OCZ ModStream 700W
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912 Advanced
Cooling
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
It can be a real PITA to find all the files for your mail, contacts, IE settings, bookmarks etc for most people. WET really does work and the best part it it copies your actual user account from the old machine to the new one so all those files you did have on a second drive aren't now all permission problems because they belong to a different user... :(
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64 Ultimatei7 96012 Gig Corsair DominatorNvidia 480
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Scratch built
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
i7 960
Motherboard
Asus P6X58D
Memory
12 Gig Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 480
Sound Card
Maudio Delta 44 + breakout box
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp U2410 24in and Samsung 21 dual monitors
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
Primary: Intel X-25M G2 160G SSD
Secondary: Segate baracuda 1.0 TB
HDs in AHCI mode.
PSU
Corasair TX850
Case
Cooler Master HAF
Cooling
Corsair H50
Keyboard
Logitech G15 + N52 game pad
Mouse
Logitech MX518
Internet Speed
15kbs down 4.5kbps up
Other Info
WEI 7.6
CPU & RAM 7.6
Graphics 7.9
Hard disk 7.7
You can easily get around any permission issue by either using the same username and password, or storing your data in a more organized manner...meaning on a data drive. I can't imagine anyone feeling comfortable letting a wizard decide what's important. What if it misses something? Would those people even notice until it was too late? I wouldn't want my old profile being copied over, because all of my old junk and residual files would be there as well.

The bigger problem is that people don't plan ahead. It's 2012, so very few people should be using POP3 e-mail accounts anymore. That eliminates some of the data right there. Secondly, if a person is storing photos and files on their computer, they should know where...that's a very basic point of computing ability.

I see people being in one of two categories. They would either possess the knowledge to manually back up their data, or they would be asking someone else for help migrating to their new computer.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1Intel Core i7-260012 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333Nvidia GTX 470
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7-2600
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3P-B3
Memory
12 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 470
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp 2209WA
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility3 240 GB, WD5001AALS, WD7501AALS
PSU
OCZ ModStream 700W
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912 Advanced
Cooling
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
C:\Users\enistoja is your account folder. Everything under there belongs to you unless you changed your account name on the new computer. If you account name is not enistoja then try taking ownership of that folder and see if you can delete it.

The above link shows you how to add a Take Ownership entry your right click (Context) menu which is the easiest way to do this.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro X64Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHzIntel Integrated HD Graphics
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo IdeaCenter 450
OS
Windows 10 Pro X64
CPU
Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
Memory
16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Integrated HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD
2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2
1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
Keyboard
Dell USB
Mouse
Lenovo USB
Internet Speed
Cable via Road Runner 3MB Upload, 30MB Download
Antivirus
Windows Defender, MBAM Pro, MBAE
Browser
Seamonkey
Other Info
UEFI/GPT
PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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