A great way to handle migration, especially if you're moving from Windows XP to Windows 7, is Microsoft USMT.
But be aware that the tool can't do everything you might want it to, and it has drawbacks depending on the scale of your Windows migration. Here are answers to some common questions about what the User State Migration Tool (USMT) can and can't do, how you can use it to manage more user accounts and how to move settings from one computer to another.
What are the capabilities and limits of Microsoft USMT?
Microsoft USMT is a powerful tool for IT, but it can only do so much. It can migrate Encrypting
File System files and certificates, save profile data for local users and define file types. The
tool can also migrate access control lists, operating system data, application settings, data from
local USB drives and computer settings.
The User State Migration Tool, however, cannot allow user interaction during migration, migrate applications, migrate applications to a new version or migrate application settings the user did not modify. In addition, it can't migrate OS settings, such as local printers, hardware settings, or permissions for shared folders, files or settings.
How does Microsoft USMT help with migrations from Windows XP to Windows 7?
If you're still
using XP and want to install Windows 7, you have to migrate
to Vista first. On one computer, it's not a difficult update to perform, but on lots of
computers, admins should use Version 4.0 of the USMT to make migration easier. Use ScanState on the
source computer, and install Windows 7 on the destination computer. Use LoadState on the
destination computer, then reboot the Windows 7 computer.
Am I ready for a Windows 7 migration?
There are tons of features in Windows 7 that can be great for your organization, so the issue
isn't whether you should migrate
to Windows 7, but when. To see if you're ready for the migration, ask yourself: Is migrating to
Windows 7 important to my organization? What options are there for migrating to Microsoft's OS? How
will we handle the Windows 7 migration? Once you've answered these questions, you should be ready
to migrate!
What does WAIK have to do with Microsoft USMT?
Want some more tips on getting started
with USMT? Install the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), perform this on a test
computer -- even a virtual machine -- with a test user account first, and create a network share to
store data.
How does USMT differ from using virtualization for Windows 7 migrations?
Even some virtual desktop vendors don't use virtualization software to upgrade
from Windows XP to Windows 7, despite early hopes that the release of Windows 7 would spur
virtual desktop infrastructure adoption. Microsoft recommends that for large-scale upgrades
from XP to Window 7, IT shops use Microsoft USMT 4.0, because it lets admins control which
users, applications, files and settings get migrated. But note that the USMT only migrates one user
at a time.
How can I find the right tool for a Windows 7 migration?
When you're deciding how to handle your Windows
7 migration, there are lots of tools to consider, and each works a little differently. Admins
have to ask what they want to accomplish in their Windows 7 migration, and the answers will dictate
which tools to use.
Microsoft's tool takes a lot of manual steps and some scripting, plus it won't preserve all your applications. But it's free, and it could be perfect for smaller deployments. USMT might be too tedious for most admins, so look at options such as LapLink PCmover and Prowess SmartDeploy too.
How can Microsoft USMT help move user accounts?
Migrating
accounts from an old machine to a new one is hard. With
the USMT, admins can migrate files and settings and is designed to work with unattended
deployments, so IT pros can set up and migrate a whole machine without additional work.
This was first published in August 2012
Join the conversationComment
Share
Comments
Results
Contribute to the conversation