Transfer Settings from One PC to Another

How often does it happen that you buy a PC or a hard disk and are reluctant to use it because you are afraid to lose all the settings that you have on your existing PC? Saving a copy of your files and then transferring them to a new PC is still thinkable, but changing all the settings individually in the new PC is too tedious and simply unthinkable. 

There is an easy way out-the 'File and settings transfer wizard', a built-in Win XP feature. It lets you save and transfer your files and settings from one PC to another and you can choose the medium you want to use to transfer data. You can connect two PCs directly with an Ethernet cross cable or serial cable. Or you can store them on a floppy or external hard drive and then connect it to the new PC and transfer settings and data. 

The settings we are discussing here are not only your network and Outlook settings but also the minutest details such as the screen saver and desktop icon placement. Let's see how to do this.

The wizard helps you collect the data to transfer. To start the wizard go to Program files>Accessories> System tools> File and Settings Transfer Wizard Click on Next on the first screen and you will be asked to choose whether it's the old PC or the new one to which you want to transfer the settings. Choose 'Old computer'  Select the way in which you want to transfer data between the two PCs. We chose to use a USB flash drive You can choose to copy files, or settings or both. Check the box that says 'let me select the custom list ...settings' Here specify which files and settings to back up or transfer. All types of files and settings can be added to this list. Click on Next and your back-up disk is ready Now we have to transfer the backed up files and settings to the new PC. Repeat the same procedure as in step 2 and this time choose 'New computer' Here choose the last option, which says 'I don't need the wizard, ... files and settings from my old computer' Give the path of the drive where you have stored a copy of the files and settings or choose direct PC-to-PC link After giving the path just click on Next and the wizard will start copying the files and settings onto the new PC Click on Finish and you will be asked to re-login. Once you do that, your old settings and files will be in place

Ankit Kawatra