User State Migration Tool

The User State Migration Tool (USMT) is a command line utility program developed by Microsoft that allows users comfortable with scripting languages to transfer files and settings between Windows PCs. This task is also performed by Windows Easy Transfer, which was designed for general users but then discontinued with the release of Windows 10,[1] where they instead partnered with Laplink.[2] Starting with Windows 8, many settings and data are now being synchronized in cloud services via a Microsoft Account and OneDrive. USMT allows a high-volume, automated deployment of files and settings,[3] and is also useful in migrating user settings and files during OS upgrades. Because USMT has high complexity and a command line interface, there have been several attempts to provide access to its useful functionality by creating GUI wrappers for it. 32-bit to 64-bit migrations are supported, but 64-bit to 32-bit are not.

User State Migration Tool (USMT)
Developer(s)Microsoft
Stable release
5.0
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
TypeCommand
LicenseProprietary commercial software
Websitedocs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/usmt/usmt-technical-reference

USMT 4 is included in the Windows Automated Installation Kit. USMT 5 is included in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK).[4] Versions of the USMT are included in the Windows ADKs for Windows 10, versions 1511 and 1607.[5]

Overview

USMT consists of two separate programs. Scanstate.exe scans the source PC for the data and settings and stores it in a .MIG file. Loadstate migrates the data and settings from the .MIG file onto the target PC.

What to transfer is specified as commandline switches in the configuration XML files migapp.xml, migsys.xml, miguser.xml and other optional Config.xml files. Which Users (and their data) to transfer is controlled by other switches.

An example of a "load data on to PC" command could look like this (in one line – newlines and indents added here for readability):

loadstate "Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1"
          /i:"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\migapp.xml"
          "Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\migsys.xml"
          /i:"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\miguser.xml"
          /ue:*\* /ui:gutte /ui:Lotta /lac /lae
          /progress:"C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\USMTprog.log"
          /l:"C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\USMTscan.log"..
          /c

The "Scanstate" command is similar in complexity. Both commands require strict adherence to syntax.

Supported OSes
Source operating systems
Version98NT 4.02000[lower-alpha 1]XPVista788.110Cite
2[lower-alpha 2]YesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
3NoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo [6]
4NoNoNoYes[lower-alpha 3]Yes[lower-alpha 4]YesNoNoNo
5NoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo [7]
6.1NoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNo [8]
10NoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYes [9]
Destination operating systems
Version2000[lower-alpha 1]XPVista788.110Cite
2[lower-alpha 2]YesYesNoNoNoNoNo
3NoYesYesNoNoNoNo [6]
4NoNoYesYesNoNoNo
5NoNoYesYesYesNoNo [7]
6.1NoNoNoYesYesYesNo [8]
10NoNoNoYesYesYesYes [9]
  1. Versions that cover Windows 2000 only cover the Professional edition
  2. This version supports 32-bit operating systems only
  3. Service Pack 3 only
  4. Service Pack 1 only

What USMT transfers

USMT transfers[10]

  • Selected User Accounts
  • Files and folders
  • E-mail messages, settings, and contacts
  • Photos, music, and videos
  • Windows settings
  • Program data files and settings
  • Internet settings

GUI wrappers for USMT

Because of the complexity of USMT command-line input, there have been third-party attempts to create GUI front-ends for it. These include (but are not limited to):

Both Workstation Migration Assistant and USMT XML Builder are out of date but there are up to date commercial GUI's for USMT.

References
  1. Ehler, Thomas (December 24, 2015). "How to Migrate Windows User Profile to New Account, New Pc, or New Domain". TechNet. Microsoft. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  2. "User State Migration Tool (USMT) Overview". Microsoft. October 15, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2018. USMT is intended for administrators who are performing large-scale automated deployments. If you are only migrating the user states of a few computers, you can use PCmover Express. PCmover Express is a tool created by Microsoft's partner, Laplink.
  3. Windows Vista™ Resource Kit. Microsoft Press. ISBN 978-0-7356-2283-8.
  4. "User State Migration Tool (USMT) Technical Reference". Microsoft. March 5, 2014.
  5. "User State Migration Tool (USMT) Technical Reference (Windows 10) - Windows Deployment". Microsoft Learn. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  6. "Requirements". Microsoft. July 24, 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  7. "USMT Requirements". Microsoft. November 7, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  8. "How to migrate user data from Windows XP to Windows 8.1 with System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager". Microsoft. October 16, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  9. "USMT Requirements". Microsoft. May 2, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  10. more details on Microsoft Docs
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