Moving program files from XP to new Win 7 pc

[loftus49]

Last night we purchased a new pc with Win 7 loaded. We have an old and dying XP. It has been backed up using the Win backup facility to an external hard drive (assesories/system/backup). I imagine that restoring the data files will not be a big problem, but: She does not have all the original "program" CD's.

It is a home pc and NOT networked. I read that a parallel cable could be attached between the two pc's and then programs "transferred" in this manner.

Is there another way?

If a parallel cable (get one at computer store?) is needed, then what is the procedure?

 

[theog]

Take a look here:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html?ltr=W

 

[ccatlett1984]

For the most part, you can't transfer programs. Sorry, for the bad news.

 

[fishnbanjo]

ccatlett1984 is correct you can't transfer programs for the most part. When you setup your new PC it can transfer all your MS Office files that have been saved, .doc's, .xml's, calendar info etc. Add to this if you use MS Outlook all you need do is supply your email address and password and it finalizes the setup for any and all accounts and loads all the email, saved, folders etc.

If your old PC and new PC are both on a home network it will do all that and grab your photos and such, mine transferred 75 Gb in under 3 hrs across my wireless network.

You will have to reload software packages and associate some things but all in all it does an excellent job. If you don't have a home network you can do this with a cable and the link theog supplied covers the steps needed.

 

[bobkn]

Last night we purchased a new pc with Win 7 loaded. We have an old and dying XP. It has been backed up using the Win backup facility to an external hard drive (assesories/system/backup). I imagine that restoring the data files will not be a big problem, but: She does not have all the original "program" CD's.

It is a home pc and NOT networked. I read that a parallel cable could be attached between the two pc's and then programs "transferred" in this manner.

Is there another way?

If a parallel cable (get one at computer store?) is needed, then what is the procedure?

I suggest you read about Windows Easy Transfer under "Help and Support" on the Win7 machine.

The Easy Transfer cable is a special USB cable. Best Buy lists it for $25US, which seems overpriced. (However, www.newegg.com doesn't do much better: $15 + $3 S&H for their cheapest.)

If you don't have an external USB backup drive, this might be a good time to buy one. You could use Easy Transfer off of the XP machine onto the drive, and then transfer from the drive to the Win7 machine. (I don't use Easy Transfer: I manually copy files, plus some additional stuff like my Outlook favorites and email archives.) When that's done, you'll still have the drive for backing up stuff. It costs more than the cable, but it has more residual value.

As others have remarked, you can't transfer any program that required an installer.(That's most programs.) I have seen third-party programs advertized that claim to do it, but no one has ever recommended one. I suspect that they don't actually work. Unless the program could copy all of the relevant registry keys, the copies program might not work properly.

 

[whs]

You are wasting your time. Those XP program files are completely useless in Win7. There is a lot more to running a program than just the program files. I suggest you download the Win7 versions for the programs in question from the web.

 

[loftus49]

Download?

You are wasting your time. Those XP program files are completely useless in Win7. There is a lot more to running a program than just the program files. I suggest you download the Win7 versions for the programs in question from the web.

All programs on the XP system? What about my MS Office (2003), Outlook, etc. Are they not compatible with Win 7?

 

[theog]

Check all programs with the Upgrade Advisor:

Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

 

[whs]

You are wasting your time. Those XP program files are completely useless in Win7. There is a lot more to running a program than just the program files. I suggest you download the Win7 versions for the programs in question from the web.

All programs on the XP system? What about my MS Office (2003), Outlook, etc. Are they not compatible with Win 7?

It is not a matter of program compatibility but problem concerning the program installation. You have to make a proper installation of each program starting with the installation .exe so that all the pieces (also those apart from the program files like Registry entries, .dlls, etc) get properly intalled. I am not 100% certain about Office 2003, but since you could install it under Vista, I assume it would also work with Win7. Outlook is another matter. I don't believe that this will run. But again, I have never used either one of these programs, so wait for more comments to confirm or say otherwise.

 

[ccatlett1984]

You are wasting your time. Those XP program files are completely useless in Win7. There is a lot more to running a program than just the program files. I suggest you download the Win7 versions for the programs in question from the web.

All programs on the XP system? What about my MS Office (2003), Outlook, etc. Are they not compatible with Win 7?

It is not a matter of program compatibility but problem concerning the program installation. You have to make a proper installation of each program starting with the installation .exe so that all the pieces (also those apart from the program files like Registry entries, .dlls, etc) get properly intalled. I am not 100% certain about Office 2003, but since you could install it under Vista, I assume it would also work with Win7. Outlook is another matter. I don't believe that this will run. But again, I have never used either one of these programs, so wait for more comments to confirm or say otherwise.

Office 2003 works great on windows 7, including Outlook. You can get the serial numbers of some of your apps by running "magic jellybean" on the old computer. You will need to gain access to the install media though, to be able to install the software on your new computer.

 

[bigmck]

You are wasting your time. Those XP program files are completely useless in Win7. There is a lot more to running a program than just the program files. I suggest you download the Win7 versions for the programs in question from the web.

All programs on the XP system? What about my MS Office (2003), Outlook, etc. Are they not compatible with Win 7?

MS Office 2003, 2007, Outlook will all run in Win 7. All of my programs worked when I switched from XP to Win 7 Home Premium.

 

[gregrocker]

Another program which will audit all of the Product Keys of installed programs is Belarc Advisor. I would run both that and Magic Jellybean so you can cross-check for accuracy.

Office 2003 installer is easily available on the internet to use to install with your Product Key.

If you have any other specific programs, just post back your concerns.

 

[Faladu]

Application/game moving wise:
A fresh install of the apps/games on the new PC is preferred method!

If that can't work for you, then:
Backup all the data to DVD blanks (or CDs if that's your limitation), assuming you have a burner, that unavailable? Next!:

I'd suggest a hard drive docking station (USB, but SATA hard drives only on one I have) or USB to IDE/SATA cable.

I saved a neighbors busted laptop's hard drive data using my USB to IDE/SATA rig, costs under $25.
The docking station is nice, I can put 2 SATA HD's in it without zero hassle, just slides in and out, not permanent use recommended, but plenty good for backup/moves needs, I have a spare 200gig sitting in mine empty for when the time comes... OS sees them as just extra hard drives and adds letters, assuming they are formatted, if not, should offer to do that.

Once moved:
I'd make a folder for OLD APPS and OLD GAMES and move the files over, try them, if a .DLL is missing message pops up, try Download your missing dll-files - DLL-files.com for the files and put them in the app/game directory in question and see what happens.

Some will work some will not, all depends on mainly .DLLs (and possibly many other files put in directories you are unaware of) locations and how much they are intertwined with the Registry. Typically Apps put stuff in C:\windows\system32 or in a common files directory off C:\Program Files or one related to your USER name.

Software wise, I use Total Commander for manipulating files and I haven't reinstalled it yet, but I bought a copy hard drive app from avanquest, that I hope works with 7, but I have dual boot XP if it doesn't.

 

[Mark Phelps]

IF you really want to transfer your programs, then check out Laplink's new Win7 transfer tool (sorry, forget the name).

It DOES allow you to transfer program files from an XP installation to a Win7 installation -- but, it does not guarantee that they will all work.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Every MS Office Product from Office 2000 forward works just fine in Windows 7 I tests Word and Excel and would rather stick with 2000, XPS and 2003, all very good choices.