Member Avatar for Adrian_12

Hello, I have my "old" windows 7 machine that I would like to maintain as much data and programs as possible. I bought a new Windows 10 machine and noticed that Windows Easy Transfer is not there. I have seen various post online about upgrading to the same machine but they don't seem to apply when dealing with two different machines. Any suggestions?

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Short summary and approach options (answers referenced below from other posters: , , , ). For a single-user move the fastest, lowest-risk route is a manual file-and-settings copy. For IT-style or multi-PC migrations use Microsoft's User State Migration Tool (USMT). If you want applications moved automatically you can consider a third‑party migration product — but expect to verify licenses afterward. See the USMT overview for what it can do. (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical manual workflow (good for 1–2 machines)

  1. Create a new local account on the Win10 PC with the same short user name, sign in once to create the profile, then sign out.
  2. On the Win7 PC, export key things: Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Downloads, Favorites and the AppData\Roaming subfolder for per‑app settings. Do NOT copy Program Files or NTUSER.DAT — copying the whole profile registry hive can break things.
  3. Use Robocopy to copy selected folders reliably (preserve data but avoid carrying old SIDs). Example commands:
    
robocopy "E:\Users\OldUser\Documents" "C:\Users\NewUser\Documents" /E /COPY:DAT /R:2 /W:5 /LOG:C:\Temp\robocopy-docs.log

takeown /f "C:\Users\NewUser" /r /d Y
icacls "C:\Users\NewUser" /grant "NewUser":(F) /t


Robocopy, takeown and icacls are the supported tools for copying and fixing ownership/ACLs. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/robocopy))

USMT (for admins / scripted migrations)
USMT is part of the Windows ADK and uses ScanState / LoadState to capture and restore user files and settings; it’s intended for PC refresh/replacement scenarios and gives fine control via XML rules. If you go this route, follow the USMT getting‑started guidance and install applications on the destination before restoring settings. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/usmt/getting-started-with-the-user-state-migration-tool?utm_source=openai))

Quick checklist and gotchas
- Export or back up Outlook mail to a .pst before moving mail/profiles. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4557815/exporting-outlook-folders?utm_source=openai))  
- Sign into browser accounts (Chrome/Edge/Firefox) to use built‑in sync for bookmarks/passwords.  
- Save license keys and installers — copying Program Files will not register apps on the new machine.  
- If files are locked (Outlook open, etc.) copy after a clean logoff or boot from rescue media.  

Links: USMT overview ([docs.microsoft.com/usmt overview](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/usmt/usmt-overview)), Robocopy ([robocopy docs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/robocopy)), takeown ([takeown docs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/takeown)), icacls ([icacls docs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/icacls)), Outlook export instructions ([export PST guidance](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4557815/exporting-outlook-folders)).

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Member Avatar for rproffitt

I'm going to not write about easy transfer alternatives here. You can google that but in case you didn't find it, this search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+10+easy+transfer+alternatives

I will slam Laplink here as the times I used it, what a mess it created.
I might nod to Easeus products as folk tell me it's OK.

That said, I take the move to a new machine as the right time to forget all the old and start fresh. That's how I deal with this.

Member Avatar for rubberman

Backup data. Install new system. Re-install your applications (hope you have the license keys if needed), restore data, and have "fun". I'm sure Win10 will provide you with all the "fun" you need for a long time to come - NOT!

commented: A fresh machine is more fun. +0
Member Avatar for Marcza

I also agree with the above users that would rather start fresh. Things get cluttered over time and a fresh start is .. well... refreshing :)

That being said, I see reports that Profile Wizard gets the job done.(Both local and domain profiles)
Might be worth a look and the personal version is free it seems. (Also portable)

Edited by happygeek because: spam (fake sig) removed
commented: Refreshing. +12
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