You do not have to purchase the Windows Easy Transfer USB cable to use this guide. This guide shows you how to transfer the data across an existing home network. Both computers will have to be connected to a network via a wired or wireless router, switch, or via a cat5 crossover cable.

Set Up Windows Easy Transfer

1. Let’s start Windows Easy Transfer on the Windows Vista computer first by going to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Windows Easy Transfer.
2. Click Next on the welcome screen.

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3. Select Start a new transfer on the next screen.

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4. Select My new computer.

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5. Since we’re transferring the data across a network choose No, show me more options.

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6. Select No, I need to install it now.

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7. Choose Windows installation disc or Windows Easy Transfer CD as the way you want to install Windows Easy Transfer on the XP (old) computer.

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8. Choose Yes, I’ll transfer files and settings over the network.

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9. Click Yes when asked if Windows Easy Transfer can unblock itself from the firewall.

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   Note: If you’re using an antivirus’s firewall you might have to disable it manually.

10. Choose No, I need a key.

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11. Write the key down. You’ll need it later.

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Run Windows Easy Transfer on XP

1. If you have a Windows Vista installation disk, place it in the DVD drive of the Windows XP computer and then click Transfer files and settings from another computer when the installation window pops up.

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   Don’t have a Vista installation disk? You can [12] download it from Microsoft. Once you’ve downloaded it, install Windows Easy Transfer and then open it by going to Start, All Programs, and then select Windows Easy Transfer.

2. Click Next in the welcome screen.

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3. Choose to Transfer directly, using a network connection.

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4. Select Use a network connection.

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5. Click Yes when asked if Windows Easy Transfer can unblock itself from the firewall.

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   Note: If you’re using an antivirus’s firewall you might have to disable it manually.

6. Select Yes, I have a key.

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7. Enter the Windows Easy Transfer key that was generated when you were setting it up on the new computer and then click Next.

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8. To keep this simple let’s choose to transfer files and settings from All user accounts.

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   You could choose to only transfer files and settings for the account currently logged on or you could pick and choose which accounts and files to transfer in Advanced Options.

9. Click Transfer to start the transfer.

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   If you want to pick-and-choose which files and settings to transfer, click Customize and go from there.

10. Before you can transfer the files and settings you’ll need to tell Windows Easy Transfer how to match the old user names to user names on the new computer. You can either select existing user names on the new computer from the drop down box or simply type a new user name and it will be created for you. Click Next when you’re finished.

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    Note: User name passwords will not be carried over. You’ll have to create a new password the first time you log on.

11. The files and setting will now transfer to the new computer.

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    Warning: Don’t user either computer during the transfer. If you do, the transfer will fail.

12. When the transfer is complete a summary of what was transferred will appear on the Vista computer. Click Close.
13. Log off and back on so the changes take effect.

The files and setting on the XP computer have been moved to the Vista computer.

Note: Your programs settings will be transferred but the programs themselves will not be transferred. You’ll have to re-install the programs on the new computer.