Lesson 1: Upgrading and Migrating to Windows Vista

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The User State Migration Tool can migrate user data from a computer running Windows

Vista to a computer running Windows XP.

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The User State Migration Tool can migrate digital certificates between computers if

the target computer is Windows Vista. Windows Easy Transfer cannot migrate digital

certificates.

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The User State Migration Tool can migrate encrypted files and folders between comput-

ers. Windows Easy Transfer cannot migrate encrypted files.

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The User State Migration Tool does not work with a Windows Easy Transfer Cable.

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The User State Migration Tool cannot automatically detect its partner computer over the

network like Windows Easy Transfer can.

Unlike Windows Easy Transfer, the User State Migration Tool requires that you be familiar

with the command line. There are two primary components:

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Scanstate.exe Scanstate.eXE is used to capture migration data on the original computer.

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Loadstate.exe

Loadstate.eXE is used to import migration data onto the new computer.

Migration data can be saved to a network location, removable storage media, or the local hard

disk using the Scanstate.eXE tool. When the migration is complete, you use the Loadstate.eXE

tool to load the migrated data onto the destination computer.

MORE INFO User State Migration Tool

For more information on version 3.0 of the User State Migration Tool, access the following page on

Microsoft’s website: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/WindowsVista/library/usmt/91f62fc4-621f-4537-

b311-1307df010561.mspx?mfr=true.

Quick Check

1. In which situations would you consider using the User State Migration Tool

instead of Windows Easy Transfer?

2. To which versions of Windows Vista can you upgrade Windows XP Media Center

edition?

Quick Check Answers

1. The User State Migration Tool is suitable when you have many computers and

users to migrate from Windows 2000 or XP to Windows Vista. The Windows Easy

Transfer tool is best used when a small number of users and computers need to be

migrated to Windows Vista.

2. You can upgrade Windows XP Media Center to either Windows Vista Home Pre-

mium or Windows Vista Ultimate.