How to Install and Use Windows Easy Transfer to Transfer Your Data

Whenever you purchase a new computer, you may often have the need to transfer your files and data to the new computer. Initially, we had to store data on a floppy disk, zip drive, CD, or DVD in order to transfer data from one computer to another. Sometimes, we would have to transfer whole hard drives in order to retain their old data. The problem with these methods is that you can only move documents, pictures, movies, music, games, and applications. Moving email from one computer to another would be very difficult. In addition to that, you cannot move settings and program configurations to another computer.

With Windows Vista, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer data from other operating systems such as Windows XP (Service Pack 2), Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4), and other Windows Vista computers. When Windows Easy Transfer is run, it scans your computer for data and settings that can be transferred to your new computer. You can then use DVDs, flash drives, network connections, and CDs to transfer this data. You can transfer files and folders, email settings and messages, program settings, Internet settings, user settings, and multimedia such as pictures, music, and video.

The first thing you will do is install Windows Easy Transfer.
=> On the Start menu, click Start => All Programs => Accessories.
=> Next, click on System Tools. Now, locate the Windows Easy Transfer icon and click it.
=> When Windows Easy Transfer starts, click on the Start a New Transfer option.
=> Click the My New Computer option. Click No, show me more options when Windows asks you if you have an easy transfer cable.
Then, click No, I Need to Install it Now at the next screen.
=> Windows will now ask you how you want to install Windows Easy Transfer on your old computer. Select an option such as CD, USB Flash Drive, External Hard Disk, Windows Installation Disc, or Windows Easy Transfer DVD.
=> Select a media type and click Next to start installing Easy Transfer to the selected disk type.
=> Now insert that media into the old computer and install Windows Easy Transfer.

Now I am going to show you how to use Easy Transfer with removable media. You can opt to use a CD, DVD, or a USB flash drive.
=> To begin, start Windows Easy Transfer and start a new transfer on the old computer.
=> Go through the step-by-step process until Windows asks you which prompt you want to use. Select CD, DVD, or other removable media. Select the type of media you will be using to store your information.
=> Once you have selected this, you will be prompted on which drive letter the media is located in. Select the letter and click Next.
=> Your data should start copying onto the removable media. You will be prompted to remove the media when the data is finished copying.
=> Insert the disc into the new Vista machine. Run the Windows Easy Transfer on the Vista machine and follow the instructions and prompts until it asks you if this is a new or existing transfer.
=> Click Continue a Transfer in Progress. Next, select Removable media when it asks you what type of transfer you want to continue.
=> Select the location of your files and click Next.
=> Now just follow the rest of the prompts and instructions until the computer transfers your data to the new computer.

And you are done!