The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (FAST) is a handy utility available in Windows XP that will collect your files and personal settings from one computer so that they can be loaded onto a different computer.

When you login to Windows XP under your username, a profile folder is created with the same name in the C:Documents and Settings folder of your PC. This folder contains copies of any personal changes that you make to your PC. For example, the background picture and the icons that you choose to display on your desktop. Any personalized change that you make while working on your PC will be saved in your profile folder. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard uses the information in this folder to create a copy of your personalized settings.

Unfortunately, the FAST utility cannot migrate your programs over to your new PC. Only your application settings are copied. The applications themselves are not migrated. You will need to re-install all of your applications on your new computer before loading your saved settings.

The FAST Wizard can copy files and settings using any type of backup media, such as a CD, DVD, external hard drive, or USB flash drive if it is large enough (I've seen some 8GB flash drives recently for as little as $15.00). You can even use a direct cable connection between your old and new computers if you have one. Just create a folder on the backup media and give it a name that you can remember.

If you are copying files from a computer that is using a version of Windows older than XP, you will need to use a Windows XP installation CD, or you can create a "Wizard Disk" on a floppy drive.

To learn how to create a "Wizard Disk", click here.

If you have a Windows XP Installation CD, you can use it to collect your profile data from your old PC.

Place the Installation CD into your CD player. Select "Perform additional tasks" at the Welcome screen menu, then select "Transfer files and settings" at the next screen.

The Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard window will appear as shown below. Click Next to begin.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

When the "Which Computer is This?" screen appears, be sure to select "Old Computer", then click Next.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

The next window will ask you to select a Transfer Method. Browse to the USB Jumpdrive, external hard drive, or disk that you are going to use for your FAST backup. I find that creating a folder on the drive or disk for the FAST file is easier to work with. As shown below, I have created a folder named FASTfile on my USB removable F: drive. Click Next when ready.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

The next window will ask you "What Do You Want To Transfer"? Select "Both Files and Settings" as shown below and click next. File copying will begin..

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Once your Documents and Settings have been successfully copied to your backup media, you'll see the Completing the Collection Phase window shown below.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Now that you have collected your data from your old PC, take your backup media over to your new PC for the download procedure.

Remember, you need to load all of your applications on your new PC before downloading the data you have collected.

Since your new PC is already an XP machine, you can start up the FAST Wizard by going to START button> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

Click Next at the Welcome screen which will take you to the "Which Computer is This?" screen. Select "New Computer" and click Next.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

The next screen will ask "Do You Have a Windows XP CD?" Since you have already collected your data, select the bottom option and click Next.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

The next screen will ask you where the collected data is located. Select the bottom choice and click the Browse.. button to navigate to your backup media which should be attached to your new PC at this point.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Once you have located your folder and selected it, click Next to begin the transfer.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

When done, the final screen will appear telling you that you have successfully transferred your files and settings to your new PC.

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

For the final step, you'll be prompted to logoff your PC in order for your settings to be loaded into the registry.

Once you log back on, the procedure is complete.

Now your desktop should have the same "look and feel" that you had on your old PC.

Be sure to test your programs to make sure they are working.

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