Are you pondering if it’s time to move from the venerable Windows XP operating system to a newer version of Windows? Then you are probably dreading having to face moving your personal files and settings to a new operating system. But there may be some free help on the way from Microsoft.
Microsoft just announced (March 3, 2014) that it is partnering with LapLink to provide Windows XP users with a free data migration tool called PCmover Express for Windows XP. It will copy your files, music, videos, email and user profiles and settings from your Windows XP PC to a new device running Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. It uses your home or work network.
According to the Microsoft announcement, the download will be available in English later this week and in other languages later in March. The download link will be WindowsXP.com. The graphic below shows the LapLink interface.
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Comments
Turns out that Windows Easy Transfer is still the best way to copy over everything on a new "clean install" from XP to Win 7
Would vandamme like to expand on the suggestion. Not being a linux user and an older person I would like to know if there is a website that would give me detailed info on which linux OS to use, i.e., mint and how one would go about removing XP after migrating data onto a flash drive and then installing linux.
Where will you publish the tutorials for mint? I have time to replace XP with Mint over Easter holidays and will need the tutorials +++.
With thanks
Thanks for this info. Could you please inform where will the tutorials be posted?
Plan B (not mentioned by Microsoft):
Copy your data files onto a flash drive or portable hard drive (which you should do anyway).
Install Linux.
Copy files back to your /home directory.
Get back to work. Elapsed time: half an hour or so, plus backup time. Cost: whatever the backup cost you.
Older machines don't support Windows 7 or 8 and upgrading may mean some expense on hardware also. Win-XP by now is tried and tested so what is the harm if one continues to use XP with proper Anti-Virus, Firewall and Anti-malware protection.
Thank you MidnightCowboy. I will pass on the information to my friend on whose behalf I had posted the comments. He is still running Win-XP and cannot upgrade to Windows 7/8.
Would this migrating tool be any good if one was simply upgrading an existing computer from XP to Win 7 Professional (clean install) ??
What would be the alternative ?
So what do one have to own? A laplink cable?
I know, I know, we won't know until MS tells us.
I wonder why MS would wait until the last few days before announcing there is a path to Win 7 or 8.
I suspect their arrogance has something to do with it. "Like it or Lump it" they are saying.
"Mr. Linux" just stands around and smiles, and smiles...