Using Windows 7 Easy Transfer


  1. Posts : 142
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit; SP1
       #1

    Using Windows 7 Easy Transfer


    I'm getting ready to upgrade my XP Pro desktop to Windows 7 so I know I need to do a clean install. When running Windows 7 Easy Transfer on the computer I have two user accounts so when it's computing the space it comes up with:
    Mike 20.4GB
    Cathy 1.6GB
    Shared Items 166.4GB

    Currently I have 78.8GB "Used space" on my C drive so where is this 166.4GB coming from?

    Does that mean allowing for the size difference between XP and Windows 7 after upgrading my C drive will now have 166.4Gb (or around that) used drive space?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #2

    mccoady said:
    I'm getting ready to upgrade my XP Pro desktop to Windows 7 so I know I need to do a clean install. When running Windows 7 Easy Transfer on the computer I have two user accounts so when it's computing the space it comes up with:
    Mike 20.4GB
    Cathy 1.6GB
    Shared Items 166.4GB

    Currently I have 78.8GB "Used space" on my C drive so where is this 166.4GB coming from?

    Does that mean allowing for the size difference between XP and Windows 7 after upgrading my C drive will now have 166.4Gb (or around that) used drive space?
    When I used easy transfer, I had a 2 gig flash drive to transfer to. I tried to transfer everything (as you are doing) but I did not have enough free space. I went back a chose just the items that I wanted to transfer. For me, at least, shared items were not necessary. You may want to check and jsut transfer the items that you want to save space. To answer your question, yes, the amount of space that is shown, will be used on the new computer.
    Go back and when you see how much is used by category and the checked boxes click on customize (or maybe advaced et al) and you will see just what is being saved and how much space
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 142
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit; SP1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I guess what I don't understand is why then doesn't the Used space on my drive currently show 166.4 when that's what will be transferred?

    I can't make heads or tails on the readings when I click on Shared items>Customize the items don't amount to anything except for last item:
    Desktop 3KB
    Favorites 0 bytes
    Shared Documents 42.8MB
    Shared Music 1.4MB
    Shared Pictures 290KB
    Shared Video 151 bytes
    Program Settings 5.1MB
    Other Items...166.4MB

    Now clicking on Advanced:
    Desktop
    Shared Documents
    Favorites
    ntuser.dat.LOG 1KB
    ntuser.dat 256...

    It doesn't show the size of the other items under Advanced can you see where all the space usage is coming from?

    In my case from what you can see would there be anything wrong in not checking Shared Items?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #4

    I just want to tell you what I am sure of. I do not know what is in that shared folder, but I had the same situation on my computer when I made the transfer (3 weeks ago), I did not include it in the transfer and I am still not missing anything
    To be safe, do not include it. If you make a clean install, it will be included in your windows.old folder. Do not delete that folder until you are sure that you do not need anything that is missing.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 142
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit; SP1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Okay thanks I won't include the "Shared Items" folder.

    I didn't realize though there would be a windows.old folder with a clean install I thought you only got that if you did an upgrade.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #6

    mccoady said:
    Okay thanks I won't include the "Shared Items" folder.

    I didn't realize though there would be a windows.old folder with a clean install I thought you only got that if you did an upgrade.
    If you do not format, there is a windows.old folder. I use the term clean and custom interchangably. If you do a custom, the installer erases your HD, with a clean, you do it yourself. Many will disagree, but to me its 6 of one 1/2 dozen of another.
      My Computer


 

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