Noob back-up/restore question

Hi there. Prepare for a very noob type of question

I'm going to be getting a new computer soon and would like to use a program to put all of my info from this computer onto the new one. Basically, I'd like to be able to transfer everything and be able to use the new one exactly as I'm using this one now. Does a program like Acronis True Image or others of the sort do that?

I appreciate any thoughts and advice.

 

You could always back up all partition on the old PC with some sort of imaging program (Acronis, Drive Snapshot, Image For Windows, etc.) and then restore that image or images on the new drive. That way you'd be sure to get exact copies of all your data transfered. But be prepared to do a restore installation because the new system probably will not boot right after imaging the old system's data to it.

 

Welcome at the wilders forum.

If your current pc has XP just download Windows Easy Transfer for Windows XP and use it to transfer the files and settings to your new pc.
But it does not tranfer installed programs.
If you need to transfer programs too the only application that I can think is PCMover

hope it helps,
Panagiotis

 

Not 'everything' (at least not completely and/or reliably). Using a disk-imaging program to migrate from an older system to a new system is a very 'iffy' task. Even if it did work, ask yourself if you really want to replace the operating system (likely Vista) on the new PC with the one from your older PC (most likely XP)? When migrating to a new PC, the soundest approach (imho) is to re-install your applications (programs) and copy over your data, docs, photos, music, etc.

Fwiw, Microsoft will (eventually) release a Windows Easy Transfer Companion, which supposedly can transfer applications and data from Windows XP PCs to Vista PCs (using a cable or a network connection).

 

Thanks for your advice, folks. I really appreciate it. I'm thinking maybe the Windows Easy Transfer option might be the way to go. I can see how using the image of my current pc on the new one might not be a great idea.

 

Hello,
is there a friend that could transfer the data for you rather than wasting your money on windows easy transfer and the cable?
plus if your current computer has an oem windows license restoring the image on to your new machine is against the eula.

 

If you are buying a new computer, I assume that at least some of your apps are a few years old. Assuming you're going from XP to Vista, how confident are you that everything in the old will be compatible in the new?