Windows Easy Transfer from Win XP to Win XP?

Hi.

I know you can use Windows Easy Transfer (WET) to transfer from Win XP to
Win Vista, but can you transfer from Win XP to another Win XP machine?

They finally included transfering over the next work which is a nice plus.

If not, any free (or non-free) alternatives that can work over the network?

I noticed there is a beta version. Is that an XP to XP edition? [Don't care
too much that it's in beta. still better than the time wasted using FSTW. I
wish it didn't have to compress everything.]

Thanks

Gis

If you need to transfer a user's files and settings to an identical
useraccount on another machine, you don't need any special tools, other than
perhaps a 'Live CD' such as BartPE or Knoppix. - Although even this is not
essential.

The userprofiles are stored under "Documents and Settings" and it should lbe
faifly obvious which is which. If not, type SET at a commandprompt and look
for the 'userprofile' variable.

First, set Explorer to see hidden files, and all folders. This is important.

Create an identically-named user on the second computer, then log that user
on once, then off again. Don't omit this step.

Now, working as Adminstrator (Or using a Live CD OS) copy the userprofile
folder over, replacing the one created on the second computer by the last
step. You can do the copy via a network share, a USB disk, or by temporarily
attaching the second HD to the first computer's CD-ROM port.

Finally, if using NTFS, change the ownership of the new profile (including
files/subdirs) to the user on the new computer.

You should now be able to log-on as the user and see the original desktop.
The only thing you won't have, of course, is programs which were specific to
the first computer, thus you may have a few 'bar-piano dud-key' shortcuts
lying around. To fix this you must install the programs.

Not that this method is ONLY suitable for transferring to a fully identical
account. In other circumstances you will need special tools.

"Gis Bun" wrote:

> Hi.
>
> I know you can use Windows Easy Transfer (WET) to transfer from Win XP to
> Win Vista, but can you transfer from Win XP to another Win XP machine?

Gis Bun wrote:
> I know you can use Windows Easy Transfer (WET) to transfer from Win
> XP to Win Vista, but can you transfer from Win XP to another Win XP
> machine?
>
> They finally included transfering over the next work which is a
> nice plus.
>
> If not, any free (or non-free) alternatives that can work over the
> network?
>
> I noticed there is a beta version. Is that an XP to XP edition?
> [Don't care too much that it's in beta. still better than the time
> wasted using FSTW. I wish it didn't have to compress everything.]

So - the application that has been in Windows XP since its release is not
what you need?

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (FAST).
Also - for 'mass/scriptable moves' - User State Migration Tool (USMT).

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (FAST).

Has very poor reliabillity. What's worse is that even if it appears to work,
it may leave you with subtle registry problems. My advice is only to use if
there is no alternative. If you copy the profile directly, and it logs-on
correctly, then you can have reasonable confidence that it's AOK.

> Also - for 'mass/scriptable moves' - User State Migration Tool (USMT).

A better tool, but only suitable for the System Lords among us, as it
requires a domain.