Transferring files from XP to Windows 8

prowla

onejontwo wrote: »

I do have a 16GB memory stick so would it be possible to transfer everything over using this by deleting the files on the stick once they've been transferred and starting again if there isn't enough space on the stick?
Also how do I transfer programs like "keypass" which contain all my passwords without losing them, or do I have to download them from scratch?

You may find that the number of files you need to transfer is not that many.

In Windows they should typically be located under your home folder; you should find that off your Start menu, and if you right-click it you should see its size.

If the size is less than 16GB then you can copy them in one go. If it's more, then it may take a couple of runs to do it.

There's also your email (Outlook) - this can be transferred. It's easier for you to look up how to do it on google than someone detail the steps. You can even export/import your mail settings.

googler

onejontwo wrote: »

My ISP is with virgin so I have the so salled superhub.

Connect both PCs to the hub, either wirelessly or via Ethernet (network) cables.

File transfer will likely go faster if you cable them. There's four (?) ethernet ports on the back of the hub.

Set up sharing on the folders you want to copy to and from, and according to each operating system, set up 'network places' to copy from old to new.

You can't copy programs, unless they're of the simplest, single file design.

Many programs, when they install, install an 'executable' file, but also make changes to other areas of Windoze - DLLs, registry etc. The only way to reinstall them is to have an install package - which you may have already from downloading it - or downloading again on the new machine, which is probably best way, as that will get you the latest version.

Copy your data - docs, spreadsheets, pics, music, powerpoint pres'ns etc.

Do you know what you want to copy? Figure this out before you start.

googler

onejontwo wrote: »

I do have a 16gb memory stick so would it be possible to transfer everything over using this by deleting the files on the stick once they've been transferred and starting again if there isn't enough space on the stick?

Yes, but this will be far more tedious than simply networking the two machines and copying directly between them

onejontwo

prowla wrote: »

You may find that the number of files you need to transfer is not that many.

In Windows they should typically be located under your home folder; you should find that off your Start menu, and if you right-click it you should see its size.

If the size is less than 16GB then you can copy them in one go. If it's more, then it may take a couple of runs to do it.

There's also your email (Outlook) - this can be transferred. It's easier for you to look up how to do it on google than someone detail the steps. You can even export/import your mail settings.

In "My documents" if that is what you meant by home folder, it shows as
my documents:-
6.91gb
4246 files
256 folders

my pictures:-
5.52gb
4246 files
190 folders

my music:-
7.45mb
11 files
16 folders

prowla

onejontwo wrote: »

In "My documents" if that is what you meant by home folder, it shows as
my documents:-
6.91GB
4246 files
256 folders

my pictures:-
5.52GB
4246 files
190 folders

my music:-
7.45MB
11 files
16 folders

So, you could simply drag "My Documents" onto your flash drive, and then drag them off at the other end, and then go back and do the same for "My Pictures". (The music is probably just the sample files, so no value.)

Kernel_Sanders

onejontwo wrote: »

Sure, but I don't want to waste your time by having to guide me through it each step of the way.

You could always do what Googler does, i.e. google. There must be many forums out there where this topic has been covered.

sparkyspark

Usb to Usb Plugable Windows Transfer Cable for Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP. Includes FREE Bravura Easy Computer Sync Software.
Keep in mind that this cable requires software, and will not work without software designed for it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plugable-Transfer-Includes-Computer-Software/dp/B005OTPVMY#productDetails

Plugable USB 2.0 Windows Transfer Cable home page http://plugable.com/products/usb-easy-tran

Easy Computer Sync software http://www.bravurasoftware.com/easy-computer-sync/

Transferring Files Between Computers the Easy Way programmer and software consultant user review http://www.drewslair.com/2014/05/transferring-files-between-computers-the-easy-way/

Strider590

prowla wrote: »

So, you could simply drag "My Documents" onto your flash drive, and then drag them off at the other end, and then go back and do the same for "My Pictures". (The music is probably just the sample files, so no value.)

I doubt it's easy to do that on Win8, most likely some sort of fluffy colourful interface that doesn't let you get down to that level of file handling. Why else would they create a tool for it?

sparkyspark wrote: »

Transferring Files Between Computers the Easy Way programmer and software consultant user review http://www.drewslair.com/2014/05/transferring-files-between-computers-the-easy-way/

Seriously? Is that guy an idiot or is he being paid to sell that product?
Well actually I can answer that, because all of his Amazon links contain a reference to his website/name, indicating he gets paid by Amazon for every "hit" he generates.

How exactly is installing software, setting it up, using a ridiculous interface and having two PCs running at the same time (when you probably don't have room for two sets of keyboard/mouse/monitor or have a KVM switch), easier than plugging in an external hard drive?

The cable is like £15 (for a glorified USB cable), the software is how much? (another £15?) You'd use it once and then dump it in a dusty draw somewhere.

An unbelievable product, claiming to make the job more simple, aimed directly at the muppets of this world, does nothing more than provide an interface to setup USB networking (which is not rocket science anyway).
I can't even find a reputable review for it, Google just brings up a bunch of websites i've never heard of, I really can't be bothered to see if they all belong to the same owner.

Reminds me of something a friend told me (IT Admin at a local school), without consulting him, somebody paid £15'000 for a software licence for software than does nothing more than create an interface that performs a function that already exists within Windows.

On the other hand, an external hard drive would cost £40 and would be useful for years to come as a backup medium.

wongataa

Strider590 wrote: »

I doubt it's easy to do that on Win8, most likely some sort of fluffy colourful interface that doesn't let you get down to that level of file handling. Why else would they create a tool for it?

Windows 8 has the traditional desktop which is pretty much identical to the one in Windows 7. It also has Windows Explorer, the file manager, just like Windows 7.

If you boot Windows 8 into the desktop then it will look very similar to Windows 7. You don't have to go to the touchscreen interface if you don't want to.

Windows has had a built in transfer utility for several versions now.

prowla

(Pretty much identical, except for the bits which are different/missing, and it's a lot uglier...)