Migrate Data Windows XP to Windows 7 using USMT

3 September 2009 by Vinay 7 Comments

Last time we discussed How to Migrate Data From Windows XP to Windows 7. In that guide we used Windows Easy Transfer Wizard. In that procedure we need to have an External Hard-Drive, Memory Stick or Networked Computer. But in the following guide we used User State Migration Tool (USMT) a command line utility program to copy user files and settings from one Microsoft Windows computer to another. USMT makes us possible to migrate data from Windows XP to Windows 7 where no external Hard Drive or Network Location or Transfer cable is required. USMT migrates files and settings between Microsoft Windows versions 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7, and is useful in migrating user settings and files during OS upgrades. 32-bit to 64-bit migrations are supported, but 64-bit to 32-bit are not.

The User State Migration Tool (USMT) 4.0 is part of the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) for Windows 7 Beta. USMT is a command line-scriptable tool for migrating user state from one computer or operating system to another you can transfer data from

Windows XP toWindows Vista
Windows XP to Windows 7
Windows XP 32 Bit to 64 Bit
Windows Vista 32 bit to Vista 64 bit
Windows Vista to Windows 7
Windows 7 32 bit to Windows 7 64 Bit

Requirements :

Windows 7 DVD
Windows AIK download from Microsoft Click Here
Automated Script Download Here

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Procedure

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Boot into your normal Windows XP desktop with all your files and folders and settings in its place. Insert the Windows 7 DVD and run the setup. Select Clean Installation. Once you come on the Hard drive selection screen select c:(assuming Windows XP is already installed on c drive ) and click on next . On this screen you will get a message that all files folders and settings of XP are moving to Windows.old and Windows will be installed on Windows folder. Click on OK on this screen.

Now let the setup complete as normal and your job starts when you are on the desktop of Windows 7.
Install Windows AIK (Downloaded Earlier) on your system.
Go to C:Program FilesWindows AIKToolsUSMT
In this folder you will see two more folder one will say x86 and other AMD64 both folders contains USMT files for both the architecture.
Now you have to open notepad and copy this text in it.

If exist D:USMT*.* xcopy D:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

If exist E:USMT*.* xcopy E:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

If exist F:USMT*.* xcopy F:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

If exist G:USMT*.* xcopy G:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

If exist H:USMT*.* xcopy H:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

If exist I:USMT*.* xcopy I:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

If exist J:USMT*.* xcopy J:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

If exist K:USMT*.* xcopy K:USMT*.* /e /v /y C:WindowsUSMT

Cd c:windowsusmtx86

scanstate.exe c:store /v:13 /o /c /hardlink /nocompress /efs:hardlink /i:MigApp.xml /i:MigDocs.xml

/offlineWinDir:c:windows.oldwindows

loadstate.exe c:store /v:13 /c /lac /lae /i:migapp.xml /i:migdocs.xml /sf /hardlink /nocompress

:EOF

Save this file with .bat extension or you can download the batch file created by us Download Here and copy it in C:Program FilesWindows AIKToolsUSMT folder
Now right click on file and click on Run as Administrator

After this USMT will start transferring your files and folders and settings into Windows 7 from XP by the time the batch file is running you will notice that your Desktop icons are back and so is your theme and all other settings.That’s it you are done and all of your files folders and data will be back the way it was.

7 Comments »

tom said:

I tried using USMT and transfered the data but what it did is that it created a new user account and transfered the data in it . i belive the resign is that my account name in xp was and in 7 i named it hulk but overall it worked.

great guide

# 5 September 2009 at 9:20 pm

sanjay said:

Hi

I was really worried about my data when i was thinking to move from XP to 7 but this seems to be the resolution to the problem.

# 8 September 2009 at 1:27 am

Dennis said:

Went through the scanstate and loadstate command options. All options are clear except the /sf option in loadstate. Can not find the option in loadstate syntax . Could you please explain its function.

# 26 September 2009 at 1:03 am

Dave Forbes said:

I’m seriously thinking on buying a version of ‘Windows 7′ (European) when it arrives on the selves in November 2009. What’s the best , easiest and quickest way to use a data transfer cable from XP to Windows 7? I’m a bit scared that I could lose all data when transferring. Is there a data transfer cable on the market yet?

# 2 October 2009 at 5:41 pm

Elvis McNeely said:

Thanks for the writeup. I was thinking of doing a dual boot with xp and windows 7. If I were to do that, could I still use this guide? Would I need additional steps or make the txt file a bit differently?

Thanks

# 19 October 2009 at 5:12 pm