Windows Easy Transfer
This feature is included in the following editions of Windows Vista:
Windows Easy Transfer helps you transfer personal files, e-mail, data, files, media, and settings from your old computer to the new one.
Windows Easy Transfer is a wizard that helps you transfer the data that is important to you, including:
User accounts
Files and folders
Program data files and settings
E-mail messages, settings, and contacts
Photos, music, and videos
Windows settings
Internet settings
Programs (applications) are not transferred.
Windows Easy Transfer helps you move to a new computer.
You can easily transfer your entire user account or all user accounts on the computer, or you can make custom selections of the data and folders to transfer. Windows Easy Transfer provides a number of ways for you to connect two computers to transfer your data. These include:
Easy Transfer Cable This is a special USB cable that is designed to work with Windows Vista and Windows Easy Transfer. You can purchase this cable from selected computer manufacturers and retailers. You install a small piece of software on your Windows XP computer and then plug the cable into both computers. Windows Easy Transfer launches automatically and guides you through the transfer process. This is the easiest and fastest method and is recommended if you don't have a network. This solution is supported on Windows XP-based and Windows Vista-based computers.
Home or small business network If you already have a wired or wireless network, this is a great way to transfer all of your data.
Removable hard disk If you own a removable hard disk, Windows Easy Transfer can copy your data to that disk and then copy data from that disk to your new computer.
CD and DVD Windows Easy Transfer can use a computer's CD or DVD burner to transfer user data. This is a great solution if you are moving only a small amount of data that can fit onto one disc.
An Easy Transfer Cable can easily connect two computers for data transfer. Plugging in the cable launches the wizard and gets the process going.
Novice computer users looking to replace a Windows XP-based computer with a Windows Vista-based computer can use an Easy Transfer Cable and in a couple of clicks transfer all of their personal data. More advanced users can connect the new computer to their home networks and then select the specific folders, file types, and settings they want to transfer.
Windows Easy Transfer enables you to transfer data to Windows Vista-based computers from computers running Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000. Transferring data to Windows Starter Edition 2007 is not supported, but existing users of Windows XP Starter Edition will receive guidance on performing a manual transfer.
To learn more about the details of the Windows Easy Transfer process be sure to read more in Windows Vista Help.