Windows Easy Transfer is a program that ships with new versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. The Windows Transfer Tool can help users move files and settings that are contained on computers running Windows XP , Windows Vista, and Windows 7 .
| Windows Data Transfer Tool | |
|---|---|
| Type of | Data transfer |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| operating system | Windows XP , Windows Vista , Windows 7 , Windows 8.1 |
| First edition | November 8, 2006 |
| Latest version | 6.3.9600.17031 (April 08, 2014) |
| License | Proprietary Software ( EULA ) |
| Site | microsoft.com/windows/wi... |
To use the Windows Transfer Tool from Windows XP to Windows 7 , you must first download it from the Microsoft website for the source computer.
Transmission Components
Windows Transfer Tool can transfer:
- Files and folders , including photos, music, videos, documents, messages, and email contacts.
- User accounts as well as user account settings.
- Files of settings and application parameters.
- Some Windows settings stored in the registry .
The program does not support the complete transfer of applications and system files, such as fonts and drivers . For the transfer of applications that are precisely supported, Microsoft planned to release the Windows Easy Transfer Companion , but never released the final version. For advanced users, administrators and computers based on Windows operating systems , the User State Migration Tool (USMT) is also available.
Supported working methods
There are several ways that can be used in transmitting information:
- Easy Transfer Cable. This is a special cable with USB connectors, which can be purchased from hardware vendors. One end of the cable connects to the source computer, the other to the receiver computer. Both computers must be turned on during data transfer, and the Windows Data Transfer Tool must be running on them. Using this method, you can only transfer data side-by-side.
- Network. To transfer data over a network, you need two computers that are running Windows Transfer Tool and that are connected to the same network. Both computers must be turned on during data transfer. In this way, you can only transfer data side-by-side. When transferring data over the network, a password is set on the source computer, which must then be entered on the destination computer.
- External hard drive or USB flash drive . It is possible to connect an external hard drive or a USB flash drive, you can also use an internal hard drive or a shared folder on the network. In this way, you can migrate both side-by-side and wipe-and-restore. Your data is protected by entering a password on the source computer, which then must be entered before importing data on the destination computer.
Direct cable connection using parallel or serial cables and using floppy disks is not supported. These methods were supported by the File and Data Transfer Wizard in Windows XP .
Current Issues
Currently, there are problems transferring data from operating systems in various languages. Files may not be restored in such situations, and archive copies can only be opened on the operating system with the original language. Also, the Windows Transfer Tool does not support the transfer of information from 64-bit operating systems to 32-bit.