How to get to Windows 7
Whether you get a new computer, or upgrade an existing one, getting your data and settings just the way you like them is time consuming and difficult. Windows 7 has some tools to help you with the transition.
With Windows XP, Microsoft introduced a wizard to help migrate your settings and data from an older computer to Windows XP. That tool was greatly enhanced before being included with Windows Vista. The current version has been enhanced one more time, and is compatible with Windows 7.
The tool is called the Windows Easy Transfer wizard, and I am going to help you use it effectively and easily.
There are two basic scenarios where this tool is used. One is when you buy a new computer that has come preloaded with Windows 7 and you want the look and feel to be as close to your old computer as possible. Of course, you need your data on the new computer too. The other scenario is when you plan to upgrade your existing computer to Windows 7. The Windows Easy Transfer wizard can help with all of these issues.
Let's look at a new computer first.
You install the Windows Easy Transfer transfer wizard on your old computer and run it.
You are prompted to tell the software how you plan to transfer data between the two computers. You can connect them with a special Easy Transfer USB cable, or over a network. However, often the easiest way is to use an external hard drive. You connect a USB hard drive and point the wizard to use that drive and it will copy all of your data, settings, email configuration, desktop background, Internet favorites and many other settings to the drive.
Move the USB drive to the new computer. You then run the Windows Easy Transfer wizard from the control panel on the new computer. The tool is already loaded for you on Windows 7. Then the data will be copied from the USB drive to the new computer. It's just that, well, easy.
You can choose which user profiles you wish to transfer, (or not transfer) to the new computer. You can choose specific files to include, or choose to exclude certain folders.
When the transfer is complete, you aren't quite done yet. The Windows Easy Transfer wizard won't copy over your applications. Those will need to be reinstalled. This is a good time to look for an updated version of your favorite applications.
Be aware that if your old computer was infected with a virus or spyware, those things may be transferred to the new computer too. So make sure to run scans before you run the migration on the old computer, and after you run the migration to the new computer.
In Place Upgrade
Let's take a moment to talk about upgrading an existing computer, commonly called an "in place" upgrade. An in place upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 is possible with some editions and version, but not all. And in place upgrades from XP to Windows 7 are not supported. If you can do an in place upgrade, all of your files and setting will remain in place. Most of your applications will even still work.
If an in place upgrade is not an option for you, follow the information above as though you are migrating from one computer to another. Be extra careful when backing up your data.
For more information about the Windows Easy Transfer wizard, check out this information from the Microsoft website: Click here
With Windows XP, Microsoft introduced a wizard to help migrate your settings and data from an older computer to Windows XP. That tool was greatly enhanced before being included with Windows Vista. The current version has been enhanced one more time, and is compatible with Windows 7.
The tool is called the Windows Easy Transfer wizard, and I am going to help you use it effectively and easily.
There are two basic scenarios where this tool is used. One is when you buy a new computer that has come preloaded with Windows 7 and you want the look and feel to be as close to your old computer as possible. Of course, you need your data on the new computer too. The other scenario is when you plan to upgrade your existing computer to Windows 7. The Windows Easy Transfer wizard can help with all of these issues.
Let's look at a new computer first.
You install the Windows Easy Transfer transfer wizard on your old computer and run it.
You are prompted to tell the software how you plan to transfer data between the two computers. You can connect them with a special Easy Transfer USB cable, or over a network. However, often the easiest way is to use an external hard drive. You connect a USB hard drive and point the wizard to use that drive and it will copy all of your data, settings, email configuration, desktop background, Internet favorites and many other settings to the drive.
Move the USB drive to the new computer. You then run the Windows Easy Transfer wizard from the control panel on the new computer. The tool is already loaded for you on Windows 7. Then the data will be copied from the USB drive to the new computer. It's just that, well, easy.
You can choose which user profiles you wish to transfer, (or not transfer) to the new computer. You can choose specific files to include, or choose to exclude certain folders.
When the transfer is complete, you aren't quite done yet. The Windows Easy Transfer wizard won't copy over your applications. Those will need to be reinstalled. This is a good time to look for an updated version of your favorite applications.
Be aware that if your old computer was infected with a virus or spyware, those things may be transferred to the new computer too. So make sure to run scans before you run the migration on the old computer, and after you run the migration to the new computer.
In Place Upgrade
Let's take a moment to talk about upgrading an existing computer, commonly called an "in place" upgrade. An in place upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 is possible with some editions and version, but not all. And in place upgrades from XP to Windows 7 are not supported. If you can do an in place upgrade, all of your files and setting will remain in place. Most of your applications will even still work.
If an in place upgrade is not an option for you, follow the information above as though you are migrating from one computer to another. Be extra careful when backing up your data.
For more information about the Windows Easy Transfer wizard, check out this information from the Microsoft website: Click here
Thanks for writing about this subject. And doubly thanks for writing so that I can easily understand the information. It is written so clearly that my old mother will understand. I am not sure about my old father--but 50% ain't bad.
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