Technology Simplified

Windows Easy Transfer is a tool provided by Microsoft (Now interated with their OS) which can be used to transfer files and settings from one computer to another. If you want to transfer whole of your data or just few selected files from one computer to another, this is the tool for you. What’s more, this tool can be used over different Windows based Operating Systems. I would be explaining this tool and its features in detail in this article.

Operating Systems which support Windows Easy Transfer:

• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows XP
• Windows 2000

What all can I transfer using Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 7?

 You can transfer almost everything, except Installed Programs/Applications.

You can transfer following:

• Data stored in all the files and folders on your Computer.
• User Account Specific Data
• Music files, Videos and Pictures
• User Settings, Windows Settings and Internet Explorer Settings
• Emails, Email Client Settings and Contacts
• Data and Settings related to Programs/Applications installed on your computer

What all modes can I use to Transfer Data using Windows Easy Transfer?

This is where it gets very easy…. Windows Easy Transfer provides you with lots of flexibility in how you want to move data from one computer to another.

You can use any of the following:

• Easy Transfer Cable: This is easiest of the method. Transfer Cable is a USB cable which you can plug to both the computers and can transfer data peer to peer. You will first have to install a small software on both the computers, after that once you plug in this cable, Windows Easy Transfer wizard will start automatically.
• Computers on a Network: You can also choose a Network location on your home network to transfer data to.
• Removable HDD: You can transfer data to a exernal drive and then copy it on another computer.
• CD/DVD: You can burn data on a CD or a DVD using Windows Easy Transfer and then move data to the other computer.

How to use Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 7 to move files and settings?

I have mentioned step by step process to use Windows Easy Transfer below.

• Open Windows Easy Transfer. In order to do this, simply click on start and search for easy transfer as shown below.

•  Alternatively, you can goto Control Panel —–> Getting Started —–> Transfer files and settings from another computer.

• You will get the Welcome Screen, Click next.

• Wizard will now give you option to choose Medium of Transfer. Choose the appropriate medium and click next.

• Next, wizard will prompt you to identify wether this computer is a new one or old. Definitions are below:

              New Computer: This is the computer to which you are transfering the files and settings.

              Old Computer: This is the computer from which you are transfering files and settings. (Choose This)

• Now Wizard will scan through you computer and display a list of use accounts that can be transfered. Put a tick next to items you want to transfer.

•  Wizard will now prompt you for a Password, put the password if you want to secure your transfer data. Ensure that you remember this password. You will not be able to complete transfer on your destination computer if you do not provide this password. (This password is optional, leave it blank if you want to)

• Now the last step, Wizard will prompt you to save the transfer file that it has created on to a location. You can burn this on HDD, CD/DVD.

You are done with the first step of File Transfer. Move to your destination computer now and following following steps:

• Run the Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7 again.
• Continue till step 5 as mentioned above.
• Once you have chosen this as your New Computer, wizard will prompt you for location of Transfer files. Choose appropriate option from the screen (Snapshot below)

              Now browse through the location where you have saved the transfer files. You can browse to a location on your HDD, CD/DVD also.

• Now choose what all items you want to transfer.

• Wizard will now transfer all the selected items. Once done, it will give you options to check what items were transfered.

Cheers!!!