Windows Easy Transfer-Which Sequence Do I Use?

macman

I'm shortly doing a PC data transfer from Windows XP to Windows 7 using the above. It's a couple of years since I last did one (XP to Vista) so I'm just trying to remember the sequence.
All the Microsoft tutorials online suggest to run the software first, and copy the file and settings over to the new PC. Then install any required applications. But doesn't it make more sense to install the required applications first on the new PC: for example to install Windows Live Mail and iTunes before copying emails and music over?
Does it matter? Which is the best and quickest way?
And last time I used WET, it used to stall if it couldn't handle a particular file, and the whole process would fail. I understand that this bug has been removed, and it's better now?