What is the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard?

A. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard is a core component of Windows XP. Previously available as a separate component of the "Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit" and the "Windows 2000 Professional Resource Kit," the wizard is also known as the User State Migration Tool (you can download the tool at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/new/usmt-o.asp ). Before you use XP's built-in version, run Windows Update to install a fix that resolves the following problems identified in Microsoft article "Files and Settings are Not Transferred When You Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard":

Microsoft created the wizard to let an administrator move a user's files and settings from one computer to another or to back up the user's files and settings before reinstalling the OS. The wizard can use a direct cable connection, removable media, or a local store that you can back up or move.

You can move any combination of the following user files and settings:

After you export the user's files and settings to target media separate from the source computer, you can use the wizard to import the user's files and settings onto a new computer. If you install on the new computer the same applications that exist on the old computer, the user's environment will be identical to the environment that exists on the old computer.