Windows Easy Transfer: Starting the Move to Windows 7 Release Candidate
So far I have looked at two ways of installing Windows 7 RC on your PC – Clean/Custom Install or In-Place Upgrading. Many persons will be buying Windows 7 on a new PC when its released and would like to get their personal data from an old PC to the new PC running Windows 7. Windows 7 offers an easy, convenient way to make the move with the built in Windows Easy Transfer utility. As you can see in the screenshot below, I have a lot of files on my Windows 7 beta PC, and I would like to get those files over safely over to my other computer running the Windows 7 Release Candidate. First lets find out what it is Windows Easy Transfer:
Windows 7 beta build 7000 Desktop (old computer).
Windows Easy Transfer guides you through the process of transferring files and settings from one Windows computer to another. Using Windows Easy Transfer, you can choose what to transfer to your new computer and how to transfer it. You can transfer most files and program settings. Specifically:
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Files and folders. Everything within the Documents, Pictures, and Shared Documents folders. Using advanced options, you can select additional files and folders to transfer.
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E?mail settings, contacts, and messages.
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Program settings. Settings that keep your programs configured as you had them on your old computer. Windows Easy Transfer does not transfer the programs themselves. Some programs might not work on this version of Windows, including security programs, antivirus programs, firewall programs (your new computer should already have a firewall running to help ensure safety during the transfer), and programs with software drivers.
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User accounts and settings. Desktop backgrounds, network connections, screen savers, fonts, Start menu options, taskbar options, folders, specific files, network printers and drives, and accessibility options.
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Internet settings and favorites. Internet connection settings, favorites, and cookies.
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Music. Electronic music files, playlists, and album art.
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Pictures and video. Pictures—which includes any visual file type (for example, .jpg, .bmp, .gif)—and personal videos.
Windows Easy Transfer sounds like just the solution I am looking for to move my personal data from Windows 7 Beta to RC.
Launch Windows Easy Transfer
Launching Windows Easy Transfer utility
1. You can find the Windows Easy Transfer utility by clicking Start > type Transfer. Or click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Windows Easy Transfer.
2. When you start the Windows Easy Transfer, a wizard gives you an overview of what you can transfer and what will happen after the process is completed. Click Next to begin.
3. You have three methods of transferring your data from your old computer using Windows Easy Transfer:
- An Easy Transfer cable is specifically designed to work with Easy Transfer to move your personal data from an old PC to a new computer.
- Network – which is the method I will be using for this tutorial, requires that both PC’s have a network port installed and using a CAT5 cable to connect both computers.
- If you have an external hard disk with sufficient space, you can let Easy Transfer backup your data in a single file.
4. After clicking the Network option, you are asked to identify the computer you are using now. In this case, I am on the Windows 7 Release Candidate, which is the new computer.
5. Next you will be asked to install Windows Easy Transfer on the old computer, my old computer is already running Windows 7, so I will click that option.
Our next step now as the instruction says is to get an authorization key from the old computer before continuing.
On the old PC, follow the same procedures by selecting the same method you will be using to transfer your files, with the exception of identifying the Old computer when asked.
6. Once the authorization code has been generated, go back to your new Windows 7 PC, click Next and enter it and click Next.
Entering authorization key on new computer.
Easy Transfer analyzing the old Computer
7. A connection will now be established between both computers and Windows Easy Transfer will do a set of scans on the old PC to determine what can be transferred. You will be able to select accounts and shared files that you might want to transfer.
Creating an account on the new computer
8. Choose Advanced Options if there is some specific options you like to apply such as Creating a specific account for your personal files on the new computer. My old computer has the account 'Andre Da Costa’, I would also like that account on the new computer, so what I will do is click in the ‘User account on the new computer:’ list box and click Create User, enter appropriate information and click Save.
New Computer left, Old Computer right, Transfer in progress
Recommendations:
- Do not use the old and new Computer’s during the Transfer process.
Errors during Transfer, you can retry transferring, if you continue experience errors, check all files and click skip and transfer the file or files manually.
When the Transfer process is complete, you can view a report of what was transferred along with what you will need to reinstall.
The time it takes will vary depending on the amount of information you have stored on the old computer in addition to the user accounts that you might be transferring. I must say the transfer was a success except for an error I had with Easy Transfer reporting Windows Live Mail open on the old computer, refusing to transfer my storage folder. But after loading Windows Live Mail on the new computer, everything seemed to be ok, I could access all my messages and newsgroup post just fine.
Windows 7 Release Candidate Desktop, successful transfer..
And there you have it, an easy, convenient, secure and reliable process of transferring personal files and settings from your old computer to your new PC running Windows 7. My default wallpapers, taskbar layout, account picture, even my Firefox Bookmarks, Windows Live Writer settings were all transferred successfully.The only thing I need to do now is reinstall the applications recommended by the Windows Easy Transfer utility.
Related:
Upgrading: Starting the Move to Windows 7 Release Candidate
Installation: Starting the Move to Windows 7 Release Candidate
Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade – Unlocking more benefits with less effort
A few more changes from Beta to RC…
Some Changes Since the Beta for the RC
Resources:
How to successfully burn or write an ISO-image to cd or dvd
Getting your PC ready for Windows 7 Release Candidate
Windows Easy Transfer Resource: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd446674.aspx
Previously:
Interacting with the Windows 7 Desktop – Fun Time Savers
In depth look at the Windows 7 Taskbar and Start Menu
Windows Explorer – What’s new in Windows 7?
Networking made easy with HomeGroups in Windows 7
A Look at Windows Backup and Windows Update in 7
Playing with Windows Media Player 12
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