Windows 7: Migration from old to new PC

I have just bought a notebook to replace my desktop PC. The Desktop PC runs Windows 7 Home Premium (OEM) and the box is configured with my programming tools pretty much the way I like it.

The new notebook also also has Windows 7 Home Premium (OEM).

Is there a relatively painless means to migrate the desktop install to the new notebook?

The Windows migration wizard thingie doesn't move the programmes, so it seems I'll need to re-install and reconfigure all of my applications. Very tedious.

Any suggestions to help ease the transition?

TIA

You can save externally a backup image and reimage to the new computer HD using Acronis 10+ with Universal Restore which removes the drivers and prepares it to start on new hardware.

You can also save image and reimage using Windows 7 backup imaging or free Macrium Reflect, then before starting the new HD, run Paragon Adaptive Restore CD to do the same thing.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery
http://www.sevenforums.com/software/...e-macrium.html

You'll have to reactivate at Computer>Properties using new Product Key, or access an elevated Command Line to run slmgr -ipk followed by a space and the New Product Key.

Otherwise copy over your files using drag n drop from external, flash stick or CD/DVD, and reinstall your programs. Tips for cleaning up factory pre-install bloatware: HP laptop has used up all four primary partitions

I've got that in place, but was reluctant to image the new notebook because of activation hassles I had once before.

Will this be the old PC's product key or the notebooks? If it's the old PC, won't that mean a call to the wonderful folks at MS Home Land Security Central?

This notebook currently has two partions; recovery and primary.


TIA

The four partitions is merely the title of the thread in which I posted general tips for cleaning up factory preinstalled bloatware.

You would use your notebook key if reimaging to the notebook. You said Home Premium came with it. They key should be on the COA sticker on machine.

Seems surprising you could image across 2 OEM:SLP machines. Post back if you do this and it works.

I'd go for the clean up, reinstall applications approach for the new netbook.

Thanks for the input guys.

In the end it was all reasonably painless. I took images of both (the old and the new) using Paragon. Acronis didn't want to play with the new notebook.

I then migrated the image from the old PC to the notebook. On reboot the notebook loaded windows OK, but I had to manually re-install the drivers.

There were no nasty activation messages, which I find a little disconcerting given a particularly sobering experience I had with M$ product activation a couple of years ago.

Anyway, it seems good for now...

Cheers

Be sure to change the Product Key at Computer>Properties activation link or using slmgr command I gave earlier to avoid any problems. It may require a robocall to MS during activation to update the hardware signature.

Will do. Thanks.