In older versions, upgrading Windows didn't do a great job of preserving your stuff. I remember at least once I upgraded and found all my programs were still located in the Program Files directory, but the links were lost and none of the programs were registered - so just about useless. Windows 10 seems to do a perfect job of preserving personalizations and software. How do they do it - or rather - how can I do it to save off all my personal stuff? Is there a program that can do this and allow everything to be restored in place in a fresh Windows install?
Thanks. I'll look into a trial version and see if either of them can transfer the data/files to a backup server vs. to a newly installed PC. I'd like to have the data and files saved in case they're needed.
In place upgrade worked pretty well even in the w3.11 days (and almost perfectly since vista), what was (and is) hard in windows, is to move your old settings to a new system, installed from scratch and /or to a different machine. But now you can use forensit, a tiny, free utility that makes the move as easy as in Linux.
I just attempted to do this using EaseUS Todo PCTrans Pro. It can transfer files directly over the network, or using a file that's transferred to the second PC. I used the network method. All the software showed up on the second PC, but not the licenses. Also, it failed to copy over my music or pictures, but did copy my documents. So I wouldn't consider that a success. I'll try some other software and report back if I have a successful transfer.
Personally I use the user profile wizard only and I copy/move the profile by hand, but transwiz should be good for less skilled users.
Can you explain to us how to do that? A step-by-step procedure will be very appreciated. Do you backup your files up before the manually copy/move process? I would like to look into these utilities for educational purposes. I find your 'less-skilled-users' statement patronizing though. It is not necessarily required to pass information that will benefit others around. However, it is your post and you are entitled to it.
Wow, 2 people, 2 completely opposite opinions! Honestly, who cares about software transfer? One has the original install (saved or can just download current version when needed) As to setting? Make copy of the source drive to .wim From there one can copy any required settings from ntuser.dat registry and C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\ Not really difficult or magical
What's the deal with Transwiz? Do you have to create a new/temp user (and log in as that user) to transfer your real user profile? I can only get this far.
Obviously you need to check the "show unassigned profiles" box to see any "foreign" moved or copied profile
Less skilled is a condition, not an insult. Whatever what is unclear? Move the profile you want to use and use the profwiz to bind it to the actual profile.
You can't copy your current profile while it's in use. Whatever I don't understand why you want to copy it. The typical scenario is. You did a fresh install, you have the windows.old folder, and a freshly created user. You want to use your old profile, so move it from \windows.old\user to \user. Then launch profwiz, and switch your profile from the new (useless) one to your old. Logoff, logon and your old settings will be back.
There are several different programs for copying/transferring user settings/data from one computer to another. I guess Transwiz isn't what I want. See above that I was trying to copy my current settings/data/apps from one computer to a new installation on a different computer. Also, in your example, you say you have a "freshly created user". If I'm installing a new computer, my user name on the old computer will be the same user name on the new computer or Windows installation. I'm not going to create a new user name for myself on my new computer. But just to be clear, I understand your explanation and it seems like that's what Windows does when you upgrade to a new version.