Article ID : 00009882 / Last Modified : 11/01/2024Print

How to use the Windows Easy Transfer feature to transfer files and settings using a network connection.

    NOTES:

    • Ensure that both computers are connected to the network.
    • In order to transfer files and settings using a network, an existing network must be established and you must have administrative rights to the files and settings you wish to transfer.
    • If you did not set up the network, check with your network administrator before attempting to transfer files.
    1. In the Which computer are you using now? window, click to select This is my new computer.
    2. In the Do you need to install Windows Easy Transfer on your old computer? window, click I need to install it now.

      NOTES:

      • If you already installed Windows Easy Transfer on the old computer that is running the Windows® XP or Windows Vista® operating system, click I already installed it on my old computer, go to you old computer, open Windows Easy Transfer and skip to step 7.
      • If the old computer is running the Windows 7 operating system, click My old computer is running Windows 7, go to you old computer, open Windows Easy Transfer and skip to step 7.

    3. In the How do you want to install Windows Easy Transfer on you old computer? window, click External hard disk or shared network folder.
    4. In the Browse For Folder window, navigate to a folder that can be accessed from both computers and then click the OK button.

      NOTE: To access the old computer, click Network, click the name of the old computer and then open the desired folder.

    5. In the Open Windows Easy Transfer on you old computer and get a Windows Easy Transfer key window, click the Next button.
    6. On the old computer, browse to the folder where you installed Windows Easy Transfer during the step 4 and then double-click the Windows Easy Transfer shortcut.

      NOTES:

      • If prompted for an administrator password or a User Account Control prompt is displayed, type the appropriate password, click Continue or click Yes.
      • You may be prompted to install the latest service pack update. If you are using the Windows Vista operating system, follow Microsoft KB Article ID 935791. If you are using the Windows XP operating system, follow Microsoft KB Article ID 322389.

    7. In the Windows Easy Transfer window, click the Next button.
    8. In the What do you want to use to transfer items to your new computer? window, click A network.
    9. In the Which computer are you using now? window, click This is my old computer.
    10. A Windows Easy Transfer key is displayed, write down this number.

      NOTE: The image below is an example of the key that is provided. Your key will be different.

      Image
    11. On the new computer, in the Enter your Windows Easy Transfer key window, enter your key in the textbox and then click the Next button.
    12. In the Choose what to transfer window, choose the desired files and folders you would like to transfer.

      The following transfer options are available:

      • To select by user, click the checkbox next to a user account to select or remove it and then click the Transfer button. Image
      • To select by file categories, use the following procedure:
        1. Under the desired user account, click Customize.
        2. Click the checkbox next to a file category to select or remove it.
        3. Close the file categories pop-up window and then click the Transfer button.
        Image
      • To select by individual files and folders, use the following procedure:
        1. Under the desired user account, click Customize.
        2. In the file categories pop-up window, click Advanced.
        3. In the Modify your selections window, click the checkbox next to a file or folder to select of remove it.
        4. Click the Save button and then click the Transfer button.
        Image
    13. In the Your transfer is complete window, to view a report on the files that were transferred, click See what was transferred.

      NOTE: The Program report provides a list of suggested applications you may want to install.

      Image
    14. Click the Close button.

      NOTE: If the transferred user account does not exist on the new computer, it will be created and the files and settings are transferred to the appropriate folders under that user account.

    15. On the old computer, in the Transfer is complete window, click the Close button.