Transferring Documents and Settings

Peter L Lovell · 20th May 2009

It seems that every time I update my hardware I inevitably have a terrible time transferring Documents and Settings

For several days I have been trying in vain to transfer documents and settings from a notebook with Windows XP to a notebook with Windows Vista

I have tried to carry out the transfer using a LAN connection as we did in the "good old days"

I have tried to carry out the transfer using wireless using my home network (Network Magic)(well protected by encryption)

I have tried to carry out the transfer using an image of the notebook HDD with Windows XP on an external HDD (image created using Seagate Disk Wizard)

I have tried to carry out the transfer using a (male/male) USB cable to connect the two notebooks using a USB connection

All methods have failed

As far as I am concerned the Windows Transfer Wizard seems, as usual, to be a transfer dud.

Can any wise computer guru on Windows BBS help me with some clear, concise, and simple instructions as how to transferring Documents and Settings from a notebook using Windows XP to a notebook using Windows Vista??

**TonyT** · 20th May 2009

What exactly do you need on the new comp that's on the old comp? For example, you don't need ALL the data in the User Profimes. You probably only need to import My Documents files, Favorites, Email. etc. No need to transfer all the other system files and other stuff. All can be transferred manually by copying to removable media or by copying over the LAN.

**mattman** · 20th May 2009

I have only used the transfer wizard for settings, not files, I manually transfer files...anyway...

Use Windows Easy Transfer in Vista rather than trying to use the Transfer Wizard in Win XP, because basically, Win XP does not "know" what Vista is (it is a newer OS).

Vista does not use the C:\Documents and Settings folder for user profiles/data any more. It uses the folder C:\Users. If you go to C:\Documents and Settings in Vista it will tell you "Access is denied", because it is a junction point for upgraded Win XP computers.

To allow Vista to access the Win XP files over a network, you would need to "enable file sharing" for the User's folder (or whatever folder covers the files to be transferred). Read about file sharing in Help and Support.

If you want to spend a few dollars you could buy an "Easy Transfer Cable".
http://www.cnet.com.au/xp-to-vista-h...-339292483.htm
A male to male USB cable is not the same.

You might need to teach yourself about sharing files between them.

There is too much information to go into depth here. Manual transfer
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc748915.aspx
mmmm...I see that that still relies on Windows Easy Transfer. I use Copy and Paste, but that needs the proper permissions and selection of the correct folders.

Matt
PS Do you have a method of backup? If you are not going to use the old computer to back up your data, you might want to consider getting an external HDD.

fourdoor2041 · 7th June 2009

I'm still a novice with Windows BBS; I hope this is ok to post a related question on this thread: Here it goes -- I, too, am looking for some advice with file backup. I have chosen not to save everything in the user profiles, as suggested above by "Tony T." I notice that the folders in my owner user profile are identical to the folders listed above that in my Windows Explorer under a folder that is just below the main folder "Desktop." This folder is labeled by the name of my computer: "Bob." Next, the "computer" folders are listed starting with "Local Disk - C." Do I export/save the "owner-user" folders for documents; pics; music; etc., or the folders listed under the folders labeled "Bob"? All contents in both the "owner-user" profile and the "Bob" profile seem to be identical. This is probably a really simple issue, but I'm a little unsure with Vista's folder configuration. By the way, I'm backing all this up on an external HDD, which, I agree, is a good way to go.

Bob F