"The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard helps you move your data files and personal settings from your old computer to your new one, without having to go through much of the same configuration you did with your old computer. For example, you can take your personal display properties, folder and taskbar options, and Internet browser and e-mail settings from your old computer and place them on the new one. The wizard will also move specific files or entire folders, such as My Documents, My Pictures, and Favorites. Passwords are not moved with program settings when you use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. This is a feature of the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard that helps to keep your passwords confidential. We recommend that you install a virus detection program on the new computer before transferring files over from the old computer. This can help protect your new computer from viruses that may be contained in the files transferred over from your old computer."

Apart from telling a user how to run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, that is all the information you can obtain within Windows XP. I have used the abbreviation FAST wizard for it in this article instead of its long name.

Windows Vista: Using Windows Easy Transfer to save files and settings on a PC before you install Windows Vista

Instead of the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard that is used with Windows XP, Windows Vista provides the Windows Easy Transfer, which allows you to copy all your files and settings automatically to an extra hard disk drive or other storage device and then install Windows Vista. It saves the files and settings on your upgraded PC and then reinstalls them after Vista has been installed. Unfortunately, all of your applications will have to be reinstalled from their CD/DVDs in order to register then with the Windows Registry.

Click here! to go to more information about Windows Easy Transfer on this site. Use your browser's Back button to return to this point on this page.

Transferring files and settings: frequently asked questions -

Applies to Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, Vista Enterprise, Vista Ultimate. - http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/...

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard is a very handy tool that can be used to save files and/or settings in order to transfer them from any computer running a version of Windows 95/98/Me to a computer running Windows XP. It is possible to create custom FAST files, so the utility can be used to create what are effectively custom back-ups of files and settings. But note that the destination of a file and/or setting transfer has has to be a computer running Windows XP. You can use it to save files and/or settings for your copy of Windows XP and then restore them if the computer suffers from an incurable system crash.

You need to know how to run the FAST wizard from within Windows XP in order to import the file containing the files and settings, and you need to know how to run the FAST wizard from the Windows XP CD or from a specially created Wizard (floppy) Disk in order to be able to obtain the files and settings that you want to store and then transfer. Those are the two means used to export the file that the FAST wizard creates to another computer - or to the same computer if it's a clean installation of XP that you're performing).

1. - To open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click Start => All Programs => Accessories => System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

2. - To use the FAST wizard from the Windows XP CD, insert it in the applicable computer's CD/DVD drive and allow it to bring up its Welcome window. Select the Perform additional tasks option. In the next window select Transfer files and settings.

Alternatively, you can create a Wizard Disk (floppy disk) from within Windows XP, and the use it instead of the original Windows XP CD. To create such a floppy disk, run FAST by following the instructions under point 1. above. The option to create the floppy disk appears in the third window.

The FAST wizard's opening Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard window says that not only Windows files and settings can be transferred. You can transfer settings for Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, and display (monitor) settings.

It also says that the best ways in which to effect a transfer is to use a direct cable connection or a network. However, FAST data (.dat) files are usually very large and a direct cable connection between two computers uses a cable connected between the slow legacy serial ports that some computers no longer have. In any case, the transfer would take hours. It's still true that transferring FAST data (.dat) files across a network is the best option, but, if I wanted to transfer a FAST file from an old to a new computer, I would save the file on the old computer's hard drive (if the old and the new computer are using the same FAT32 or NTFS file system), remove it and install it in the new computer. Both of the computers have to be using the same file system, because FAT32 and NTFS aren't compatible with each other.

The FAST wizard or the Wizard Disk can be run on an old system. It can collect and save the files and settings on the old computer so that they can be transferred to a new computer. When upgrading to Windows XP from an earlier version instead of performing a clean installation, you can save the files and settings from the old computer so that they aren't lost should the upgrade go wrong.

Performing an upgrade installation that builds the new version of Windows on top of the old one is not supposed to lose or change any files or settings, but it's never possible to know exactly what might happen. If you run the FAST wizard and the upgrade installation fails for some reason, you can perform a clean installation of Windows XP and then import the saved files and settings to it.

When using FAST while upgrading to XP or performing a clean installation of XP on the same computer, make sure that you place the export file that FAST creates in a safe place so that you don't receive a message saying that it's missing when you try to import it.

When the FAST wizard says: Select a transfer method, choose the Floppy Drive or other removable media option to burn it to a CD/DVD FAST can span multiple CDs on most CD/DVD burners.

The Other option saves the file to another partition or drive on the computer on which the FAST wizard is running, but not to the C: drive, because it is either going to be formatted for a clean installation, or Windows XP is going to be upgraded on that drive, during which it will change the settings.

Note that the FAST wizard can use any removable USB hard drive of flash drive instead of a floppy disk. A Compact Flash memory card or other flash memory card along with a card reader can be used instead of a floppy disk if the old computer doesn't have a floppy disk drive. All that is required is a little over a megabyte (MB) of disk space. When you run the FAST wizard on the old computer a screen comes up that says: Do you have a Windows XP CD. You must then select the option called I want to create a Wizard Disk.

There is a drop-down menu that shows the floppy drive option as the top option. Any removable USB drive attached to a computer appears in the drop-down menu. Select it to make the Wizard Disk on that USB drive. Instructions on how to use the FAST wizard (that can be printed) are provided further down this page.

If you have a network set up with available hard-drive space on another computer, then you can use the Other option to save the FAST data file across the network to a hard drive on that computer.

The FAST wizard can be as a back-up utility. It stores almost everything that is unique or has been added to the initial installation of Windows XP. It doesn't do as good a job as some high-end backup utilities, but it does save everything that has been changed, therefore the file it produces is very large. With suitable access to recent export FAST file, it's possible to perform a clean installation of Windows XP on a system after a major crash, reinstall all of the applications, and then import all of the settings, account information, and all the files that you have added since XP was first installed.

What FAST supports

FAST can be used with all of the versions of Windows from Windows 95 to Windows XP, but Windows XP is the only supported destination for the transfer of files and settings. It can't be used to transfer files and settings from one computer running, say, Windows 98 to another computer running that version or another version of Windows.

FAST can transfer files and settings even if no upgrade is permitted from the original system - e.g., from Windows 95 to Windows XP.

FAST supports burning to CDs or DVDs. A quick way to test if you can use recordable discs is to attempt to access the CD/DVD drive from the Command Prompt. If that is possible, it burning FAST's information to CD/DVD media should work. Moreover, FAST should be able to span more than one disc. However, if you discover that disc-spanning doesn't work, save the file on your hard drive and burn it to CDs or DVDs from there.

FAST recognises many applications, including MS Office 97 and the files of newer versions of MS Office. If you discover that it doesn't detect the files of certain applications, browsers, or an ISP such as AOL, manually add any folder that contains files that you definitely want to transfer.

By performing a Custom Transfer, it's possible to back up the settings for one specific program or one folder, such as My Documents, or even one specific File Type.

Multiple User Accounts

With regard to the transfer of the files and settings of multiple User Accounts, FAST can transfer the files and settings that are visible to it from the particular User Account from which it is being run.

All of the files are collected, but the private settings from the User Accounts that aren't logged in to are not collected.

People using Windows XP with multiple User Accounts have reported that the only way to move multiple account settings is as follows.

1. - Create a FAST transfer file that includes all of the files and settings that you want to transfer - on a global basis - with you logged on as the Administrator instead of being logged in to a User Account.

2. - Log in to each of the other User Accounts, and create a separate Settings only transfer file for it.

3. - Set up each User Account manually on the computer to which you are making the transfer. Then, log in to each individual User Account and import the transfer file containing the Settings only data for that account. You should find that all of the settings can be transferred by using this method.

The safest way to upgrade RAM memory: Use the UK and US Crucial Memory Advisors

Paul Mullen, who was the highly-respected computer guru of the Helpfile at ComputerShopper.co.uk - "I have recently been buying my memory only from Crucial Technology. I would rather pay the extra cost than waste time trying to track down the obscure program faults that bad memory can cause."

The best way to choose RAM memory for a brand-name desktop or laptop computer, or memory for a paricular make/model of PC motherboard is to make use of the Crucial Memory Advisors (provided under the brief guideline on the minimum memory requirements for Windws XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7). If the Crucial memory you receive does not work, you are guaranteed a refund and standard shipping is free.

The memory requirements of the versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7

Most of the versions of Windows Vista require more RAM memory to run optimally on a computer that doesn't use memory-hungry applications than Windows XP. A video-editing application is an example of memory-intensive software. Only Windows Vista Home Basic has a recommended minimum amount of memory of 512MB, which is the same amount recommended for Windows XP. Windows Vista Home Premium, the most popular version, and Windows Vista Ultimate require a recommended minimum of 1GB (1024MB) of memory, which is twice the amount of minimum memory recommended to run Windows XP. Note that if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, up to 4.0GB, it requires twice the amount of memory as a 32-bit version, which can only use a maximum of about 3.5GB. For more information on computer memory, read the RAM pages of this site, which includes information on the lower memory requirements of Windows 7.

UK - Crucial Memory Advisor - UK

USA - Crucial Memory Advisor - USA

How to Use the Crucial Memory Advisor

For example, if your computer has an Asus motherboard, open the menu, scroll down to ASUS, and click GO. If, say, you have a Dell computer, scroll down to DELL, and do likewise. You will be taken to the relevant information on Crucial's website.

If you don't know the make and model of the motherboard installed in your computer, here is a good free utility - Belarc Advisor - that creates an analysis of the hardware and software on a personal computer. Look under FREE DOWNLOAD - http://www.belarc.com/. Another utility that also provides detailed information on the memory itself is CPU-Z.

Some notable information on the FAST wizard

1. - Unless you're already using the latest version of Windows XP, it is advisable to use the latest version of FAST. The best way to do that is to install the Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) update (which incorporates Service Pack 1 (SP1), after installing XP from its original CD. At the very least install all of the Critical Updates from Microsoft Update. Those actions ensure that you're using the latest code.

You can then make a Wizard (floppy) Disk to use instead of the original version from the Windows XP CD. Note that the option to create such a floppy disk doesn't appear when the FAST wizard is run from the Windows XP CD.

If you don't have access to the SP1 or SP2 updates, you can probably make successful use of the FAST wizard that is on the Windows XP CD that predates the Service Packs.

2. - Passwords are obviously not transferred when you import files and settings from a previous installation of Windows XP. For more information read the MS Knowledge Base article called Passwords Are Not Migrated by the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard or User State Migration Tool (283734).

3. - A hard drive cannot be excluded from the selection process. The FAST wizard searches all of the available partitions on all of the installed hard drives for the type of information you have selected. Hiding a partition of drive doesn't prevent that from happening. The only method you can use to exclude a drive from the process is to disconnect it before running the FAST wizard. The option to exclude hard drives will probably be introduced into Windows sooner or later.

4. - The monitor's screen resolution might not transfer. If so, the screen probably won't appear as you like it, but that can be sorted out in the usual way via Display Properties by right-clicking an empty space on the Windows desktop and then clicking Properties in the menu that presents itself. For more information read the MS Knowledge Base article called Display Resolution Is Not Migrated by the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard or the User State Migration Tool (302763).

5. - FAST doesn't support exporting more than 63,000 files. Multimedia files, such as sound files, images, or video files, are usually very large compared to data files. Moreover, they can't be compressed much, if at all, because they are already in a compressed state, and so add most of their whole sizes to the eventual size of the FAST export file. The more of them there are, the larger the size of FAST export file.

6. - In case you are wondering what the User State Migration Tool (USMT) mentioned above is, it's a version of FAST for administrators on a Microsoft server-based domain, which means that it is only used in Windows XP Professional, because the Windows XP Home Edition cannot connect to a network domain. It has all of the functionality of the FAST wizard, but it also permits administrators to customise specific settings by making unique modifications to the Windows Registry. It is designed for network administrators only. Individual users don't have the right to use the USMT, Moreover, it requires a client computer that is connected to a Windows server-based domain controller. For more information on it, read the MS Knowledge Base article called Description of the User State Migration Tool for Windows XP Professional (321197).

7. - If you use the FAST wizard to back-up an Outlook Express Identity, delete or rename the main Outlook Express folder under Program Files before restoring the files and settings, otherwise all of your mail and news folders will be restored into the existing files, resulting in each message in each of the relevant OE folders (Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items, etc.) being duplicated. You would have to delete the duplicates manually, or make use of a program such as DBXtend. -

http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtend/Default.aspx

DBXtend was still available at the time of writing (July 2006), but the improved program is now called OEX. -

http://www.oehelp.com/OEX/Default.aspx

Outlook Express has been replaced by Windows Mail in Windows Vista.

Windows Mail -

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/mail.aspx

Troubleshooting a saved FAST file

As with back-up files, or files burned to CD/DVD discs, you should always make sure that the FAST file that you have created was saved properly (isn't corrupt). The best method to do that is to import the new file to the system from which it was saved. To do that click Start => All Programs => Accessories => System Tools => Files and Settings Transfer Wizard and make it import the file. You'll see the following error message if the file has been corrupted in any way: The location that you specified does not contain any stored information. This message means that the saved file is corrupt, cannot be recovered, and that you should start the whole process from the beginning.

If you can repeat the process for some reason, a very powerful tool called the Fastconv Extraction Tool can extract information from a corrupted FAST file. You can read information about it and obtain a download link to it from here: Dealing with corrupt Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (F.A.S.T) image -

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/fast.htm

How to use the FAST wizard to obtain the files and settings from an existing installation of Windows XP

It would be a good idea to copy and print these instructions before you run the FAST wizard.

1. - Run the FAST wizard under Accessories => System Tools. The Welcome window comes up. Click the Next button. The new window has a heading that asks Which computer is this? There are two selectable options: New computer and Old computer.

Even though you're using FAST in your current computer, choose the option called Old Computer to collect data. The Please wait window should appear. There won't be any indictation on the screen that the wizard is in action. As long as you can see the IDE light on the front of the computer flickering, the wizard is busy working.

2. - Now you have to select how and where to save the data: FAST data (.dat) files are usually very large, so you can't use floppy disks unless you're performing a Custom Transfer that involves a very small amount of data. Click the Next button. The window that comes up has a heading that says: Select a transfer method. There are three options: Direct cable, Floppy drive or other removable media, and Other.

Note that Windows XP SP2 adds a fourth option to the Select a transfer method window called Home or small office network.

The Other option is probably the best one for the needs of most people. It is shown selected in the image below.

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard window that provides the options of where to save a FAST data file

Save the FAST .dat file to a partition or drive on the computer on which you are running FAST (other than the C: drive). In the above image, a folder created on the G: drive called FAST is the destination. Using a different hard drive is the best destination in case things go wrong on the drive containing the C: drive's partition. If you have the computer on a network, save the .dat file to a drive on another computer on the network.

Click the Next button.

A window comes up that presents several options. The Settings only option requires only two or three floppy disks, because settings don't take up much space. However, the Both files and settings option usually results in a very large amount of data, so don't use it unless you need to back up the files.

The settings you want to transfer are manually selected under the heading: Based on your current selection, the following items will be transferred.

Note that when the Files only option is selected when performing FAST on Windows XP, HTML files associated with Internet Explorer are not transferred, because they are transferred with Internet Explorer, not Windows XP. However, HTML files associated with another program, such as the Dreamweaver website designing application, are transferred. Zip files (files with a .zip extension) are not transferred unless they are in a specific Chosen folder.

Performing a custom FAST transfer

To perform a custom transfer, place a check with the mouse in the box shown in the image above (in the lower left hand corner), and then click the Next button.

There are three options. You can select specific Settings, say, for Outlook Express, Specific folders, or File Types.

In other words, by removing all the listed programs for which you do not want to transfer the settings, you can select specific settings, for instance, only the settings for a specific program. You can also remove all of the settings and then select, say, a single folder, such as My Documents. You can also select one or more specific file types, or any mixture of the three options. You can add any folder that contains files that you definitely want to transfer in case FAST leaves them out. You can create several sets of transfers, each of which treats a program in different ways.

After you have made your selection, clicking the Next button starts the Collection Phase. How long it takes depends on how much data you have selected for collection.

Some programs require special treatment. For example, if you select programs that have to be installed on the computer before the settings are installed, the FAST wizard brings up a list of them with a warning message.

After you have made your choices, clicking the Next button, starts the Collection Phase, which can take a long time, depending on how fast the computer is and how much data is involved in the transfer.

The FAST wizard saves the collected data automatically to a folder as a numbered file with .dat extension. Note that if the A file already exists. Do you want to overwrite it? message comes up, it means that a file by that name already exists. If you click the Yes option, the existing file will be overwritten. You should only overwrite the file if you're sure that you don't want to lose its contents.

How to Import FAST files to the same computer or to a new computer

Open the FAST wizard (Start => All Programs => System Tools) on the computer running Windows XP to which you are transferring the files and settings.

Click the Next button in the Welcome window. Select the New computer option in the new window - headed with Which computer is this? - and click its Next button.

The window that comes up is headed by Do you have a Windows XP CD? Since you have already collected the files and/or settings, you can just place a check mark the last selection in this window, which says: I don't need the Wizard Disk. I have already collected my files and settings from my old computer.

Click that window's Next button. You can just click the Next button on the window that comes up with the heading Now go to your old computer.

A window presents itself that has this heading: Where are the files and settings? In this example, the files and settings were saved to a folder on drive G: called FAST, so you have to make use of the Browse facility of the last option called Other to browse to that folder.

Click the Next button in that window to initiate the transfer. A window comes up with Transfer in progress... on it that provides the usual upload/download graphical display of the transfer's progress.

When the transfer is completed, a window comes up telling you that the process is over. You just have to click the Finish button and you're done.

MS Knowledge Base articles on the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Click on an article's reference number in the table below to go to that article on Microsoft's site.

293118	HOW TO: Use Files & Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP
306187	HOW TO: Use the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard with a Wizard Disk in Windows XP
306186	HOW TO: Use the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard By Using the Windows XP CD-ROM
307869	Files & Settings Are Not Transferred When You Use the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard
304903	List of Programs Whose Settings Are Migrated When You Use the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard
283734	Passwords Are Not Migrated by the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard or User State Migration Tool
302763	Display Resolution Is Not Migrated by the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard or the User State Migration Tool
301999	"Home or Small Network" Option Is Unavailable in the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard [Applies only to Windows XP SP2]
312965	How to Troubleshoot Issues with the User State Migration Tool & the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard

OTHER ARTICLES ON WINDOWS XP ON THIS SITE

1. - Recover and repair Windows XP when the computer crashes or fails to boot

2. Windows XP : How to Troubleshoot and Fix Shutdown, Restart (Reboot), and Startup Problems

3. - How Microsoft's Windows XP Product Activation works

4. - Software and Windows problems and solutions