Windows Easy Transfer

Windows Easy Transfer was a specialized file-transfer program developed by Microsoft that allowed users of the Windows operating system to transfer personal files and settings from a computer running an earlier version of Windows to a computer running a newer version.[1]

Windows Easy Transfer
Other namesMigWiz
Developer(s)Microsoft
Operating systemWindows XP
Included withWindows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1
PredecessorFiles and Settings Transfer Wizard
TypeFile transfer

Windows Easy Transfer was introduced in Windows Vista and included in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. It replaced the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard included with Windows XP and offered limited migration services for computers running Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP SP2.[2] For all versions of Windows, it did not transfer applications—only files and settings.[3]

Microsoft incorporated a key technology into the Windows Easy Transfer tool based on its acquisition of Apptimum in 2006.[4] Apptimum's technology complemented the transfer experience offered across multiple Windows operating systems, including Windows Vista, 7, 8.1, and 10.[4]

Windows Easy Transfer was discontinued with Windows 10.[5] From September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, Microsoft partnered with Laplink to provide a free download of PCmover Express, which allowed 500 MB of data and settings to be transferred from at least Windows XP to either Windows 8.1 or Windows 10.[6]

History

For Windows 2000, Microsoft developed the User State Migration Tool command line utility that allowed users of Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0 to migrate their data and settings to the newer operating system; it did not provide a graphical user interface.[7] An additional migration tool, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (migwiz.exe) was developed for Windows XP to facilitate the migration of data and settings from Windows 98 and Windows Me.[8] It could be launched from the Windows XP CD-ROM and presented options to transfer data and settings via a 3.5-inch floppy, computer network, direct cable connection, or a Zip disk. Users could also create a wizard disk to initiate the migration process when run from earlier operating system.[7]

A preliminary version of Windows Easy Transfer was demonstrated at the 2004 Windows Hardware Engineering Conference by Jim Allchin as the successor to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, scheduled for release in the next client version of Windows, Windows Vista (then codenamed "Longhorn"). As with the final release, this preliminary version could use an optional specialized USB cable to transfer data between computers.[9]

After the release to manufacturing of Windows 7, Microsoft backported the version of Windows Easy Transfer in that operating system to Windows XP and Windows Vista as an optional download to facilitate migration to the new operating system.

Items transferred

Windows Easy Transfer could transfer:[1][10]

  • Data files and folders

For transferring from Windows versions later than Windows 2000:

As of Windows 8.1, Easy Transfer can no longer export data to another computer, but can still open files created on an earlier version of Windows.[11]

Windows Easy Transfer did not support transferring installed applications.[1][12][13] Microsoft planned to release a supplementary Windows Easy Transfer Companion for transferring certain supported applications from Windows XP to Windows Vista, but it remained as a perpetual beta during development and a final version was never released.[14]

Transfer methods

Several transfer methods could be used:[1]

Restrictions

Windows Easy Transfer did not support migration from a 64-bit to a 32-bit system.[16] Windows Vista and later versions did not support incoming connections over IrDA, serial, or parallel ports, but incoming connections over Ethernet, HPNA, and wireless LAN were supported.[17]

In Windows 8.1, Windows Easy Transfer could only import settings from Windows 7, 8, and RT, but not from Windows Vista or from another Windows 8.1 computer.[18] The only transfer method supported in Windows 8.1 is by a USB flash drive; transfers by an Easy Transfer Cable or a network connection are not supported.[19]

See also

References
  1. "Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista". Support. Microsoft. March 15, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  2. "How to Use Windows Easy Transfer to Migrate Files and Settings from One Windows-Based Computer to Another Windows Vista-Based Computer". Support.Microsoft.com. Microsoft. February 24, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  3. "Transferring Files and Settings: Frequently Asked Questions". Windows.Microsoft.com. Microsoft. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  4. "Microsoft Acquires Apptimum Inc., a Leading Application Transfer Company". Stories. March 7, 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  5. "How to Transfer Windows 7 Files to Windows 10". Forums.TomsHardware.com. Tom's Hardware. April 6, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  6. "Free Data Transfer". Microsoft. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  7. Schmied, William (February 4, 2003). "The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard helps migrate user settings". TechRepublic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  8. Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard". Supersite for Windows. Penton. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  9. Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "WinHEC 2004 Show Report and Photo Gallery". Supersite for Windows. Penton. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  10. Abrams, Lawrence (December 13, 2012). "Using Windows Easy Transfer to transfer your data to a new computer". Bleeping Computer. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  11. "Windows Easy Transfer (Win 8.1) - Microsoft Community". Answers.Microsoft.com. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  12. Whitney, Lance (2008). "Utility Spotlight Windows Easy Transfer Companion". Microsoft TechNet. Microsoft. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  13. White, Nick (February 15, 2007). "Using Windows Easy Transfer". Windows Vista Team Blog. Microsoft. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  14. Bott, Ed (July 18, 2008). "Has Microsoft Pulled the Plug on Windows Easy Transfer Companion?". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  15. "Easy Transfer Cable". Bravura Software. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  16. "Transferring files and settings: frequently asked questions". Microsoft. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  17. "The Option to Use a Serial Cable Connection or an Infrared Link Is Unavailable When You Create an Incoming Connection in Windows Vista". Support.Microsoft.com. Microsoft. March 15, 2007. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  18. Huc, Mauro (July 22, 2013). "Microsoft removing Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 8.1". PureInfoTech.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  19. Collins, Barry (July 11, 2014). "Windows Easy Transfer - Not So 'Easy' in Windows 8.1". PC Pro. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
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