Electronics
Migrating to Windows 7
Introduction
Our step-by-step tutorial explains how to transfer your user settings to Windows 7.
If you’re making the move to Windows 7, it will help to start thinking about how to shift your digital life. We explain how to use Windows Easy Transfer to move your email settings, internet bookmarks, documents and more, whether you're upgrading or moving to a new computer.
Windows Easy Transfer
Windows Easy Transfer is the easiest way to transfer your user settings – including email, internet bookmarks, documents, multimedia files and program settings – to Windows 7. It can be used if you’re upgrading to Windows 7 from XP or Vista, or moving files to a new computer.
Note that you will need to login as your primary user account with administrator access to open Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 7. And it can’t be used to transfer programs – these will need to be reinstalled after the upgrade or migration to the new computer.
Using our step-by-step guides
We will assume you are moving files and settings to a new computer, but if you are upgrading just treat the “source” as the original operating system and the “destination” as the Windows 7 operating system.
In XP and Vista, the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard steps you through the process. It can be used over a network, using an external hard drive or USB flash drive. To transfer directly using a USB cable, you need to use an Easy Transfer Cable.
Before you begin, save any open documents and close down all programs to ensure nothing interferes with the easy transfer wizards.
Save settings in XP
If you're currently using Windows XP, these step-by-step instructions take you through the process of saving your user settings ready to transfer to Windows 7.
Step 1
To start saving your user settings, click Start / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Select the radio button Old Computer (“this is the computer I want to transfer files and settings from”) and press Next.
Step 2
Select a transfer method, such as removable storage drive. Click Browse and another window will open that shows the USB flash drive (be sure it’s plugged in). Select the USB flash drive and press OK to go back to the window.
Click Next to complete this step.
Step 3
Now select the radio button Both files and settings. Scroll down the list to see the exact settings, list of folder types, and the files that will be stored for transfer. Advanced users can click the box to select a customised list of files and settings.
Step 4
Click Next and the wizard will process the files, folders and settings onto the USB flash drive. This may take some minutes, depending on the number and size of the files. The progress bar shows the operation.
Now you are ready to transfer the settings to Windows 7.
Save settings in Vista
If you are currently using Windows Vista, use these step-by-step instructions to save your user settings ready to transfer to Windows 7.
Step 1
Click Start / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Windows Easy Transfer. Choose how you want to transfer files and settings and the target location – a USB key is probably the easiest to use if you have one handy. Optionally, you can also set a password to protect the files.
Step 2
Choose to move just your own user account or all user accounts on the computer. The Advanced options allows you to choose exactly what files and settings to include if you want fine-grained control.
Step 3
And that’s it! Your computer will process the files for transfer to the new computer. Once complete remove the USB storage key and plug it into the new computer.
See Transfer settings for what to do next.
Transfer settings
Step-by-step instructions for transferring settings to Windows 7.
Step 1
When Windows 7 has been installed on the computer, click on the Start button and go to All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Windows Easy Transfer. After the wizard loads click Next to start the process.
Step 2
Choose a transfer method that is the same as the one you used to store files from the old computer. We are using a USB flash drive to store the files and settings to be transferred.
Step 3
Click on This is my new computer to transfer your files and settings across - the computer running Windows 7 is the “destination” computer.
Step 4
If not already, plug your USB flash drive into the computer. Click Yes to browse to the exact location where your files are stored and then click Open.
Step 5
You can choose to restore some or all of the files and settings saved from your old computer. Be sure that all boxes are checked if you want to transfer everything; or click Customize if you want to leave out some items.
Step 6
Once the transfer is complete click on See what was transferred to see a summary of the user accounts and the number of documents that were copied. To see a complete list, click Details and it will show all files and their location.
Moving programs
While moving your user settings is relatively straightforward, it’s a different matter when it comes to moving programs. Generally, applications can’t simply be copied from one computer to another, as configuration files and registry settings prevent easy copying.
Instead, you will need to reinstall them on your new computer. Even if you’re upgrading to Windows 7 you’ll still need to reinstall your programs because the new operating system will overwrite some of your existing programs.
But before you start, it’s a good idea to record your passwords, logins and serial numbers. This will streamline the process of reinstalling programs.
This is one reason to look after your original installation CD/DVDs so you can have them on hand to use again, although if you use open source software these can simply be downloaded again from the internet.
More help
Microsoft has help online for Windows 7. Here you’ll find help getting started with Windows 7 along with tips on using the new operating system.