A Look at Improvements to Windows Easy Transfer for Win

[macgyver2]

If I am not mistaken that report is a HTML file which should be easily printed from your web browser

 

[y70ll0p]

Print out of Easy Transfer Report

Windows Easy Transfer is an application designed to help people move their important files, user accounts, and application settings from their old PC to a new PC. The new version of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7 comes with improvements based on feedback received from Windows Vista customers. I wanted to take a closer look at these improvements.

For the new version of Windows Easy Transfer, people can move their files from PCs running Windows XP and Windows Vista.

NOTE: For the Windows 7 RC, Windows Easy Transfer can also be used to move files from a Windows 7 Beta PC to a PC running the Windows 7 RC.



The first thing people will likely notice about the new version of Windows Easy Transfer is that is has an updated, cleaner and much simpler UI.

People can transfer files 1 of 3 ways:

• Using a Windows Easy Transfer Cable (direct PC-to-PC)
• Over a network
• External hard drive

Many folks have PCs in their homes that are used by multiple family members and thus may also have multiple user profiles. The new version of Windows Easy Transfer detects all user profiles on a single PC and allows customers to pick and choose which of the user profiles they want to transfer files from. The idea behind enabling this scenario is that it permits users to “split” a PC. For example, let’s say a family PC becomes a kids-only PC after the purchase of a new laptop for the parents. With the selectivity Windows Easy Transfer now offers, selected user profiles can be migrated to one PC and other user profiles can be transferred to another. The UI also displays the size for each user profile.



Windows Easy Transfer also allows for enhanced selectivity of what is to be transferred. It is now possible to see every file that is selected for the migration and make changes on a per file basis. Do you have a big file (like a video) you don’t want to transfer to your new PC? You can now prevent that file from being transferred.



The same “enhanced selectivity” I spoke about above for gathering files also applies when restoring files. It is now possible to see every file that is pending restoration and make changes on a per file basis. Did you include a file in the transfer that you don’t want to migrate to your new PC? No problem – just deselect that file.



We are also introducing a new feature with this version: Windows Easy Transfer Reports. Any time after a migration has been completed it is now possible to view a report that details everything that was moved during the migration, where it was moved to, and a list of programs that were installed on the old PC complete with links for more information including where to re-download if possible.





If you are an IT professional and have multiple PCs you would like to migrate, check out the User State Migration Tool for Windows 7 and new features like hard-link migration and migration from windows.old.

Give Windows Easy Transfer a try if you haven’t already!

​

How can I print out the Easy Transfer Report other than to "Cut and Past" it?
More...

How can I print out the Easy Transfer Report other than to "Cut and Past" it?

 

[Darryl Licht]

Win7 32 bit to Win7 64 bit... will EZ Transfer do it?

OK FIRST OFF I'M NOT A NOOB, and I know you cannot upgrade from the 32bit version to the 64 bit version of Win7. I have also used EZ Transfer many times in the past, XP (Files & Settings transfer Wiz), Vista, and Win7.

Here is my scenario: I upgraded my main workstation to Win7 Ultimate from Vista Ultimate... I did this because at the time I didnt have a large enough spare HDD and I didnt want the hassle of reinstalling every app. <--- IT WAS QUICK AND EASY!

I now have a new 750GB HDD and 3 weeks off, so I am performing a clean install of Win7 64bit on that new HDD. What I want to know is will Easy Transfer work and save the data from my current 32bit Win7, and allow me to transfer into my clean install of Win7 64bit? I can not find the answer on Technet or any other Microsoft site...

Knowlegeable replies only... thanks!

 

[Jonathan_King]

OK FIRST OFF I'M NOT A NOOB, and I know you cannot upgrade from the 32bit version to the 64 bit version of Win7. I have also used EZ Transfer many times in the past, XP (Files & Settings transfer Wiz), Vista, and Win7.

Here is my scenario: I upgraded my main workstation to Win7 Ultimate from Vista Ultimate... I did this because at the time I didnt have a large enough spare HDD and I didnt want the hassle of reinstalling every app. <--- IT WAS QUICK AND EASY!

I now have a new 750GB HDD and 3 weeks off, so I am performing a clean install of Win7 64bit on that new HDD. What I want to know is will Easy Transfer work and save the data from my current 32bit Win7, and allow me to transfer into my clean install of Win7 64bit? I can not find the answer on Technet or any other Microsoft site...

Knowlegeable replies only... thanks!

Yes, Darryl, that is possible. WEP only saves files and settings. BTW, if you want to ask questions only skilled people can answer, consider posting in VIP.

 

[Darryl Licht]

Good point about VIP... however that wouldnt help the general public!

 

[Anderson2]

Can this tool be used to transfer settings, etc from XP to Windows 7?
(I have an external HD I can use to help with the transfer).

 

[Jonathan_King]

Can this tool be used to transfer settings, etc from XP to Windows 7?
(I have an external HD I can use to help with the transfer).

I doubt it. Windows 7 and XP are different enough that the XP settings will be all but useless.

 

[Anderson2]

But Licht (above) said:
"OK FIRST OFF I'M NOT A NOOB, and I know you cannot upgrade from the 32bit version to the 64 bit version of Windows 7. I have also used EZ Transfer many times in the past, XP (Files & Settings transfer Wiz), Vista, and Windows 7."

I guess EZ Transfer is a different utility. That's what confused me.

 

[Jonathan_King]

I made a typo. I said WEP, I meant WET.

WET= Windows Easy Transfer.

 

[Darryl Licht]

Easy Transfer does work when moving from XP to Win7.... I've used it for just that! Just run ez transfer from the Win7 DVD...

 

[Anderson2]

Thanks. I'll try it when my new PC arrives.

I had mis-spoken earlier when I asked about transferring settings from XP to W 7. I meant settings of applications installed in XP to W7 (not OS settings). For instance moving MS Word, Firefox, IE8 and the like *with* their customizations and settings.

 

[Darryl Licht]

Thanks. I'll try it when my new PC arrives.

I had mis-spoken earlier when I asked about transferring settings from XP to W 7. I meant settings of applications installed in XP to W7 (not OS settings). For instance moving MS Word, Firefox, IE8 and the like *with* their customizations and settings.

It works fine for that too!

 

[Muad Dib]

I have found it more trouble than ist worth, JMO.

Going from XP with Office 2003 and Outlook Express to Win7 with Office 2007 and Outlook 2007. 9 PCs so far. Tried WET and it jusy did not save enough time and it can be quirky.

I move My Docs (sorted) to the appropriate Win7 User Folder. Transfer the IE Favorites and cookies using IE Export/Import. And Outlook Express to Outlook by first importing the OE Email into Outlook on the "Old" machine and them importing the "Old" Outlook PST into the new Outlook 2007 installation.

Covers most user issues for my user base....

 

[Tews]

I must agree with Maud Dib... to me a clean install is just that.. a clean install. When using WET, you risk the chance of either bad transfers resulting in corrupt data, or transferring settings that may not be compatible to begin with.... You have the time, so do it right and reinstall the apps as well as the OS... You'll be glad you did at the end of the day...

 

[Darryl Licht]

I have found it more trouble than ist worth, JMO.

Going from XP with Office 2003 and Outlook Express to Win7 with Office 2007 and Outlook 2007. 9 PCs so far. Tried WET and it jusy did not save enough time and it can be quirky.

I move My Docs (sorted) to the appropriate Win7 User Folder. Transfer the IE Favorites and cookies using IE Export/Import. And Outlook Express to Outlook by first importing the OE Email into Outlook on the "Old" machine and them importing the "Old" Outlook PST into the new Outlook 2007 installation.

Covers most user issues for my user base....

Yes, its going to be quirkey going from Office 2003 to Office 2007... each PC I used it on was same apps... office 2007 to office 2007.

Additionally, you can specify what you want transferred... in your case only docs, pics, music, favs, etc... you dont have to grab all your settings too!

I have used this utility since it was released with XP (when it was the Files ans Settings Tranfer Wizard)... it has seen much improvement over the last 9 years. Personally, I have never had an issue using it!

For the average or below average user, this is the way to go... IMHO!