How to transfer files and settings with Windows Easy Transfer

Posted by Srijit at 8:37 PM

There is no need for you to reinstall every single program when you purchase a new computer or when you format your hard disk. Windows Vista provides us with Easy Transfer, a utility that can easily transfer and restore your old settings.

What can you transfer

Easy Transfer will transfer files and settings for the following: e-mail, music, pictures and videos, user accounts, internet and favorites, programs, contacts and messages. Easy Transfer will not transfer your program files, instead it will restore the application’s settings.

Note: in order to transfer files and settings from or to an Windows XP computer, you need to install Easy Transfer (Windows Easy Transfer is already installed on Windows Vista). In order to do this, insert your Windwos Vista DVD into your Windows XP computer, select the Transfer files and settings from another computer option and follow the instructions on the screen

Step 1: export your old file and settings

  • To start Windows Easy Transfer, click the Start button and then choose All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and finally Windows Easy Transfer.
    Note: you should be working on the computer you want to export your settings from.
  • If you have any opened applications, the wizard will ask you to close them; click Close all
  • Select Start a new transfer
  • Select My Old Computer
  • Now you need to figure out which transfer method to use. The following are available:
    1. Network  You can create a local area connection between the two computers and transfer settings from one pc to another.
    2. CDs or DVDs â€" store your files and settings on a CD/DVD.
    3. Easy Transfer Cable â€" This is a special cable which allows you to directly connect the two computers. Remember that this is not a standard USB cable and you have to buy it separately.
    4. Removable media â€" USB flash drives have always been helpful. Just plug in a USB stick and use it to transfer settings.

    Note: In this tutorial we will export our files and settings to a DVD. You can also use this tutorial if you select any of the methods mentioned above â€" the steps are similar.

  • Select Use a CD, DVD, or other removable media
  • Choose CD or DVD
  • Select your DVD drive and click Next (note that you can also use a password so that you are the only one that can import the files and settings)

    • Clicking on Advanced Options will allow you to customize your transfer: Add Files from a specific location without transferring other files from that folder; Add Folders from a specific location along with the files in that folder; Select Drives to add a whole drive with its content; Exclude Folders that you do not wish to transfer.

Step 2: Import files and settings

After you have completed these steps, it is time to restore your old files and settings.

Note: you should be working on the computer you want to import the files and settings in.

  • Start Windows Easy Transfer: click the Start button and then choose All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and Windows Easy Transfer.
  • If you have any opened applications, the wizard will ask you to close them; select Close all
  • Select Continue a transfer in progress
  • Choose No, I hâve copied files and settings to a CD/DVD or other removable media
  • Select on a CD or DVD
  • Select your DVD drive (make sure the DVD you created in the previous steps is in the DVD drive)
  • Select or create a new user name
  • Click on Transfer

    • All your old files and settings are now transferred to your new computer.