Transfer personal files and settings from XP to Windows Vista

If you are running Windows XP at the moment and want to make the switch to Windows Vista you may find the Windows Easy Transfer Tool useful for that purpose. The transfer tool is compatible with both the 32-bit and the 64-bit version of Windows XP if the latest official service packs and patches are installed on the system.

It is possible to transfer the following information:

• User Accounts
• Folders and Files
• System Settings
• E-Mails and other personal information

The process is pretty simple. You select which files, folders and settings you want to transfer and how you want to transfer them. Options are to burn them on a DVD or CD, store them on a removable drive, transfer them over a network or use an Easy Transfer Cable.

You should select the option to customize what is included in the transfer before you start the process. This lets you add folders and files to the image that is created as well as uncheck some folders or settings that you do not want to transfer.

The Easy Transfer Tool suggests to password protect the files which is a good idea unless you only use it once and delete the CD or DVD, or medium that you decided to use, afterwards. You do need a genuine Windows XP if you want to download the software though so keep that in mind before you head over to the Microsoft Download Center to download the version for your system.

It is also possible to use the software on Windows Vista where it is included in every version. You can use it to transfer your Vista settings to another Vista computer for instance, or to transfer data to a newer version of Windows.

To use, launch the Easy Transfer tool on your old PC first and complete the configuration there. Once done, launch it on the Vista PC and follow the on-screen instructions to transfer the data to the new PC.

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