Section A.7. Windows Easy Transfer


A.7. Windows Easy Transfer

Windows Easy Transfer is a new tool included with Windows Vista. It's designed to round up the files and preference settings from one computerand copy them into the proper places on a new one. For millions of upgrading Windows fans, this little piece of software is worth its weight in gold.

You can use Windows Easy Transfer in several ways:

  • If you have two computers, you can run Windows Easy Transfer on the old computer, package its files and settings, and then transfer them to the new computer.

    You can make the transfer over a network connection, a direct cable connection, or via flash drive, hard drive, or recordable CD/DVD. The Vista DVD includes a version of the wizard that you can run directly from the DVD on another Windows computer, even one that's not running Windows Vista.

  • If you have only one computer, you can run the wizard from the Vista DVD before you install, saving the files and settings to a disk or a second hard drive. Then, after performing a clean install of Windows Vista, you can run the wizard again, neatly importing and reinstating your saved files and settings.


Note: Easy Transfer doesn't bring over your programsjust your files and settings.

A.7.1. Phase 1: Backing up the Files

To save the files and settings on your old computer (or your old operating system), proceed like this:

  1. Insert the Windows Vista DVD into the drive .

    The Setup program opens automatically.

  2. Select Transfer Files and Settings .

    Windows Easy Transfer opens up (Figure A-5, top).

    Figure A-5. Top: Vista's Windows Easy Transfer can be a sanity -saving convenience. Middle: It lets you transfer all of your files and settings across a network or transfer cable, or onto a disk .
    Bottom: After you've installed Windows Vista or bought a new Windows Vista computer, you can reinstate all of your old files and settings using the same wizard. Just locate the folder that it saved originally .


  3. Click Next. On the Choose How to Transfer screen, specify how you want to transfer the files and settings (Figure A-5, middle) .

    You can choose from a link to another computer using a direct cable or network connection, or to a flash drive, external hard disk, CD, or DVD.

  4. Click Next .

    If you selected CD, DVD, or other removable media, you'll need to choose between a CD, USB flash drive, or external hard disk. The last option also lets you use a network location, which could be a file server or another computer on your network.

  5. Click the option you want to use, and provide a location and password if necessary. Click Next .

    The "What do you want to transfer?" screen appears.

  6. Specify which information you want to transfer to the other computer .

    You can elect to transfer all the user accounts on the computer, complete with their files and settings, or just your account, files, and settings. (See Chapter 23 for details on accounts.)

    You can also use Advanced Options button (on the "What do you want to transfer?" screen) to build a customized list of the specific files and settings you want to transfer.

  7. Click Next .

    The "Review selected files and settings" screen appears.

  8. Click the option you want to use and review your choice .

    If you click "Customize," a screen appears that lets you add folders, files, or drives to your list of items that the wizard stores. You can also remove items from the list.

  9. Click Next .

    The progress screen appears. The wizard proceeds to search your drives for the necessary information, compress it, and send it to the location you specified.

  10. Click Close .

A.7.2. Phase 2: Restoring the Files

To transfer the settings and files you've saved to your new Vista computer, use the following procedure.

  1. Choose Start All Programs Accessories System Tools Windows Easy Transfer .

    Windows Easy Transfer appears.

    The "Where did you copy the files and settings you want to transfer?" screen appears.

  2. Specify the location of the files and settings you saved on the other computer .

    The location you specify could be a path to a hard drive folder, network location, a floppy or CD-ROM drive, or a direct cable/network connection to another computer running the wizard. (See page 41 for details on paths.)

  3. Click Next .

    Now verify the names of the accounts you're transferring to the new computer. You can either transfer the files and settings into to existing people's accounts, or create new accounts. (If you choose existing accounts, you'll replace their current files and settings. Of course, if this is a fresh install of Vista, those people probably don't have many settings or files yet.)

  4. Click Next and review the settings. If everything looks OK, click Next again .

    The wizard proceeds to copy the files and apply the saved settings on the new computer.

  5. Click Finish to close the wizard .

    Windows Easy Transfer now reports how the transfer went. If Vista couldn't restore some of your settings, you'll have to re-create these settings manually. Depending on the settings you saved, you may have to log off and log on again before the transferred settings take effect.




Windows Vista. The Missing Manual
Windows Vista: The Missing Manual
ISBN: 0596528272
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 284
Authors: David Pogue

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