Changing from Windows XP? Free Help with Migrating Files and Settings

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Last updated by v.laurie on 03. March 2014 - 19:41

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.

PCmover

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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.

We are planning to publish two tutorials for Mint after the next LTS release which is due soon. The first will deal with replacing XP with Mint, and the second dual booting Mint with an existing XP installation. In the meantime you can pick up some good information from our Linux forum as suggested by Vic below, and an idea about what a whole bunch of them look like by browsing here and working backwards: http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/chitchat/514-what-does-yo... More here: http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/linux/10039-linux-screens... MC - Site Manager.

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

A new LTS release of Ubuntu is due out this month and the Mint release will follow that. It makes sense that our tutorials relate to the new version so they will not be compiled until after this has been released. MC - Site Manager.

Thanks for this info. Could you please inform where will the tutorials be posted?

They will appear under the NEW ARTICLES sub heading on the right-side of our home page. MC

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 ?

If you mean doing a clean install of Windows 7 on an existing Windows XP setup, that is not what this tool is for. It is for transferring settings and files from an XP machine to a separate Windows 7 machine.

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...