Windows Easy Transfer

Infobox Software
name = Windows Easy Transfer



caption = Windows Easy Transfer on Windows Vista
developer = Microsoft
released = November 8, 2006
latest release version = 6.0.6001.18000
latest release date = February 4, 2008
operating system = Windows Vista
genre = File transfer
license = Proprietary EULA
website = [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/easytransfer.mspx Windows Easy Transfer]

Windows Easy Transfer is a program included in Windows Vista which helps users to move files and settings stored on their computers running Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista itself, to a new computer running Windows Vista. [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928635 Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista] ] It succeeded the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" included in Windows XP. The application is downloadable for Windows XP or Windows 2000. [ [http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/1bd36fc2-1fc6-4edf-847f-d4be4305516a1033.mspx Quick Start Guide to Windows Vista User Profile Migration] ]

Features transferred

Windows Easy Transfer can transfer ] :
* Files and folders including photos, music, videos, documents, email messages and contacts
* User accounts and user account settings (Windows XP and later)
* Application configuration data files and settings (Windows XP and later)
* Several Windows configuration settings stored in the registry (Windows XP and later)

The program does not support transferring entire applications themselves and system files such as fonts and drivers. ] For transferring certain supported applications, Microsoft has released the "Windows Easy Transfer Companion". [ [http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/02/15/using-windows-easy-transfer.aspx Using Windows Easy Transfer: Windows Vista blog] ] Also, for power users, administrators and enterprise computers, a command-line "User State Migration Tool" (USMT) is available. [ [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=799AB28C-691B-4B36-B7AD-6C604BE4C595&displaylang=en User State Migration Tool (USMT) 3] ]

Transfer methods

There are several methods that can be used ] :
* Using a proprietary USB-to-USB bridge cable made by Belkin called the "Easy Transfer Cable"
* Using CD/DVD, a USB flash drive or an external hard disk drive
* Over a wired or wireless network or using an ethernet crossover cable

Notably, transferring over a Direct Cable Connection using parallel or serial cables and using floppy disks is not supported. [ [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930086 The option to use a serial cable connection or an infrared link is unavailable when you create an incoming connection in Windows Vista] ] These methods were supported in the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" in Windows XP.

Frequent complaints on the Internet

Internet forums contain many problem reports, including stalled network transfers; users have apparently had to resort to manual transfer of data.

ee also

* Management features new to Windows Vista

References

External links

* [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/easytransfer.mspx Windows Vista: Windows Easy Transfer]