PC migration

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PC migration is the process of transferring the entire user environment (i.e. personal documents and settings) between two computer systems. [1]

The migration problem is often associated with the concept of total cost of ownership where the requirement to migrate information is considered a "cost" in purchasing a new PC, similar considerations exist for businesses upgrading hardware/software. [2]

PC migration is required whenever one needs to move to a new computer (i.e. purchasing new hardware), or upgrade to a new OS. Because of intrinsic differences and strong OS-hardware coupling, PC migration is considered to be a problem for both consumers and enterprises. [3] [4] [5]

Some PC migration software products are capable of transferring not just settings and data, but also applications. [6] [7]

Sources for software that automates PC migration software include Laplink, Tranxition, and Swimage.[ citation needed ]

Windows 10 does not any longer include a Windows transfer utility with the OS. Microsoft and Laplink PCmover have joined up to provide this functionality from Microsoft's site. [8] [9]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">OS/2</span> Operating system from IBM

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows XP</span> Sixth major release of Windows NT, released in 2001

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows Me</span> Personal computer operating system by Microsoft released in 2000

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows Easy Transfer</span> File transfer program by Microsoft

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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, where they instead partnered with Laplink. 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, 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.

Laplink PCmover is a PC migration software developed by Laplink Software. Introduced in 2005, as the successor to Laplink, PCmover comes in a variety of versions that provide the ability to move or restore all selected files, folders, settings, user profiles and programs from an old PC to a new one, an old operating system to a new one, or an old hard drive to a new one. Microsoft has partnered with Laplink on multiple occasions and recommends PCmover for automatically moving programs, files and profile setting to new Windows 10 PCs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows 10</span> Tenth major release of Windows NT, released in 2015

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This is a timeline of Microsoft, a multinational computer technology corporation.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows 11</span> Major release of Windows NT, released in 2021

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References

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  2. Eric Krangel (12 February 2009). "Microsoft Terrified Companies Won't Upgrade To Windows 7". Business Insider SAI. Business Insider, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. "Compumate". www.compumate.ae. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  4. Rick Broida (21 October 2009). "Migrate to Windows 7--Slowly". PCWorld. PCWorld Communications, Inc. Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  5. JamesHolder; Jeff Schertz (6 August 2008). "Computer Migration problem". Microsoft Exchange Server TechCenter. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  6. Reviewers, Top 10 (July 2015). " "PC Migration Software Review 2015 – Reviews and comparisons". Top Ten. Retrieved August 14, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. Breeden, John (August 27, 2013). "Life after XP: Zinstall helps tame migration monsters". Government Computing News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  8. "Move your files, folders, and more". Microsoft . Archived from the original on 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
  9. "Windows Easy Transfer is not available in Windows 10". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2015-11-08. Retrieved 2015-09-08.