Windows Easy Transfer

Windows Easy Transfer was a specialized program developed by Microsoft that allowed users of the Windows operating system to transfer personal files and settings from a computer running an earlier version of Windows to a computer running a newer version. Windows Easy Transfer was introduced in Windows Vista and included in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. It replaced the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard included with Windows XP and offered limited migration services for computers running Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP SP2. For all versions of Windows, it did not transfer applications—only files and settings. Microsoft incorporated a key technology into the Windows Easy Transfer tool based on its acquisition of Apptimum in 2006. Apptimum's technology complemented the transfer experience offered across multiple Windows operating systems, including Windows Vista, 7, 8.1, and 10. Windows Easy Transfer was discontinued with Windows 10. From September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, Microsoft partnered with Laplink to provide a free download of PCmover Express, which allowed 500 MB of data and settings to be transferred from at least Windows XP to either Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. For Windows 2000, Microsoft developed the User State Migration Tool command line utility that allowed users of Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0 to migrate their data and settings to the newer operating system; it did not provide a graphical user interface. An additional migration tool, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (migwiz.exe) was developed for Windows XP to facilitate the migration of data and settings from Windows 98 and Windows Me. It could be launched from the Windows XP CD-ROM and presented options to transfer data and settings via a 3.5-inch floppy, computer network, direct cable connection, or a Zip disk. Users could also create a wizard disk to initiate the migration process when run from earlier operating system.