I have purchased a new laptop with Win7 64bit pre-install. It is replacing my old XP Pro 32bit laptop. What do I need to do to transfer files and programs from the older XP Pro 32 bit laptop to the new Win-win 64 bit laptop? Thanks
You can install all the programs you already have in XP into the new laptop, and transfer your files with a USB dongle. The 32 bit programs from XP will be gathered under the folder of c: program files (x86) in the new laptop.
Last edited by mach04; 21 Oct 2011 at 13:35.
I am on vacation and using 3g mobile broadband for internet access so I try to limit my downloads, is there a way to transfer or install my programs from the old laptop to the new one?
Not unless you actually kept copies of the setup files on your old laptop. Usually you can't just transfer already-installed software with the exception of some smaller programs, but it can be hit-and-miss.
You may be better off just waiting until you return from your vacation. :)
I have a folder where I save program installers, can I transfer that?
I purchased a special USB transfer cable(there is something that is embedded in the cable)for transferring from XP to win 7. Will that help? Also doeesn't win 7 have a tool for transferring?
Windows Easy Transfer:
Windows Easy Transfer - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows
It transfers files and settings. It does not transfer installed programs. (That makes it about 90% worthless, IMHO.)
Damn, snookered again.
The easiest method by far is to use a USB drive of the size needed, DVD if practical, your home network, or an ad hoc network created by connecting both machines via ethernet or crossover cable.
Open your named User account and copy the active Folders (Documents, Pictures, Video, etc) one by one to the backup. If using network or once you have copied them to backup, open User sub-folder, on Organize tab choose Select All, then drag the group to the corresonding User folder in the Explorer tree to the left. Wait for tree to finish expanding and hypertext to confirm copy location before releasing left click.
You must reinstall programs. Very wise to save them in Downloads folder - it's the modern way.
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