Digital Trends

Like many PC users, you've probably been looking at Windows Vista since its January release and wondering whether you want to take the jump and buy it. Assuming your computer can handle its demands, and your wallet or plastic can stretch to the price, it's tempting. But there's one vital question – can you easily migrate your data to Vista without spending days tearing out your hair? The answer, happily, is yes.

What can you transfer? In brief, everything. Your files and folders, pictures, music and videos, programs and user settings, e-mail messages and settings, even your Internet settings, including favourites, can all be sent over.

There are two scenarios you might encounter when transferring data. You could be upgrading to Vista on a computer that's currently running XP (except XP Pro 64-bit), or you've bought a new machine with Vista and want to transfer your data from another computer. If it's the former, you'll obviously need the right version of Vista (XP Home can upgrade to any version you've bought, while XP Professional and Tablet can only go to Business or Ultimate and Media Center Edition only to Home Premium or Ultimate).

Microsoft Windows Vista Migration Screenshot

1. Upgrading

As you may have read, the installation of Vista is quite different; your existing XP installation isn't merged with the new Vista installation. Instead, after everything has been copied, XP is simply deleted. In theory (and seemingly in practice) that gives two big advantages. Not only do you upgrade, you also shouldn't be encountering any of those horrific DLL problems.

However, as we all know Murphy's Law exists for a reason, and before you start to install Vista, you should back up your data. It doesn't matter whether you copy it to network sharing, a CD or an external hard drive, but make sure you back it up. That can't be stressed too much.

If you're upgrading on the same computer, then everything should be accomplished automatically, with all your files, settings and applications migrating directly over to Vista. Of course, you can not migrate any of your data and perform a clean install. This can offer some advantages, but one glaringly obvious shortcoming. However, you can store your data on another computer or removable media and transfer it later.

To transfer all your data and settings is actually a simple and quick operation. You have three options – using an easy transfer cable, a network, or removable media (such as CDs, external hard drive or flash drive).

2. What To Do First

Whichever route you choose, the first thing you'll need to do is put Windows Easy Transfer on your old XP computer. That's quickly accomplished by putting the Vista DVD in the computer and selecting the "Transfer files and settings from another computer." If you don't have autorun enabled, you'll need to open the DVD and double-click on the setup.exe program.