TIP: Underrated Windows Tool: The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Microsoft Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Where to get it: Your Windows XP CD in the 'support/tools' folder (FASTWIZ.EXE) or on your system: 'Start'> 'All Programs'> 'Accessories'> 'System Tools'.

So, you've purchased a new computer and need to figure out an easy way to transfer your files & settings from the old computer. There are a lot of applications (remember LapLink way back in the day?) that can help you do this, but none of them are fool-proof, including today's topic, but a free not-quite-foolproof tool is still better than a $50 not-quite-foolproof tool, right?

Transferring your "stuff"

The optimal method to transfer your files and settings is to hook both computers up to a network hub, set the IP addresses to the same subnet, set the workgroups to the same value and create an account on both that have the same name and passwords - - not quite the easy process you were thinking, huh?

A more popular method is to buy a flash drive or other external media and it is up to you to decide what should and shouldn't be copied.

How about a free and pretty helpful option? :)

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard - a helpful Microsoft tool?

You have probably seen the icon while working in Windows on yours or another computer - called the 'Files and Settings Transfer Wizard'. Introduced as a standard option with Windows XP Service Pack 2 - it is simple in premise: Copy the current user's files and settings to a new computer - i.e. make your transition as painless as possible when buying a computer with a Microsoft Operating System (since you will have enough pains as it is with Windows - right?).

To be honest, I had never tried this utility until I started my current job, and I have to say - it is quite effective.

To make this work, you run the Files And Settings Transfer (FAST) wizard on the old computer, select which items you want to export/save, then tell it where you wish to save the data to - i.e. pick your new shiny flash drive or external hard disk. Even though it is there, I don't suggest using the now laughable 'Floppy disk' option. C'mon.

The nice thing about the transfer wizard is the ability to specify custom files, filetypes by extension and folders...nice if you aren't sure whether or you have some items the wizard will catch. Usually, I use the default option and let the wizard do everything for me, and it has worked great every time.


Depending on the amount of data, both the export and import process could take awhile, but it is worth it.

On the new computer, log in as the user you are going to be using. Run the wizard again, and this time, point the import to the folder or drive where you stored your exported data, and let it go. By the time the wizard completes, your profile should look almost identical to your logon on your old system - even down to the printer drivers (if they are compatible with the new system - - i.e. XP vs. Vista).

Note that this does not transfer programs, so you'll need to reinstall those. But, the wizard does a great job of transferring your files.

For best results:

• Make sure you have enough space on the destination drive where you will temporarily export the settings to.
• IMPORTANT! Use the same version of the FAST wizard. You will definitely run into problems if you try to export with one version and import with another. Typically, you'll see errors regarding file/profile corruption when trying to import your data. See my next note below...
  
• You can copy the wizard from the XP installation CD, under the 'Support\Tools' folder. Look for a file called 'FASTWIZ.EXE'. I just copied mine to a USB drive and I run it from there if I need it. Also, this ensures that I always have the same version of the wizard so I won't run into compatibility issues when importing the data on another system.
  

Anybody know of any great open source alternatives?