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Review: Use Laplink PCmover to move from XP to Windows 7

Have you been putting off the move from XP to Windows 7 because of the anticipated hassle? Do you think Laplink's PCMover can help you with migration? Do you prefer a different way?

The notebook came with XP and a 'free upgrade to Vista' (remember that mess?). I used Laplink to do a clean install of Win7 64 from Vista 32. The transistion seemed to go well, but after running Win7 for a few months decided to uninstall some software installed under XP or Vista and ran into some problems. The uninstallation logs still pointed to "Program Files" when the apps had been moved to "Program Files x86" with the change to a 64bit OS.

Hopefully Laplink has fixed some of those issues, but I would be hesitant to use this software for another 32bit to 64bit upgrade.

Will assist with this upgrade?

I purchased PC-Mover recently and was appalled by how long it was taking for a simple transfer that Ghost only takes about 10-15 min. to do!

That's because they do entirely different things. Ghost does a block-by-block data copy. PCmover not only does file-by-file, but it does a ton of analysis, rearranges things, etc.

J.Ja

Thanks for your prompt reply Mr. James. Do you know if Ghost has a version for Win 7? My old Ghost won't work for Win 7! Also, I'm an Independent Technical Writer. If you can guide me to any firms that may need my services, I will be fully appreciative!

Cordially,

John Matos

If you are moving from XP to Win 7 and both OS's are x86 or x64, then yes, this works great...but if you are going from an x86 XP to an x64 Windows 7, then all you're going to be able to move is your settings and configurations...none of your applications will transfer.

I used a Belkin cable and transfered a Win Vista and a Win XP to Win 7 machines. Went easy and smooth. One transfer was over the network (slow), the other using Belkin cable (fast). I was impressed by the report which told me what software I had on the old machine that the new machine was missing. Made it easy to figure out what to download. So I don't know why anyone would pay $$ for the service of setting up a new machine, since they only do the easy stuff (xfer your files).

A lot depends on your priorities and what you want to accomplish.

I used PC Mover to transfer from my old XP unit to my new Vista unit. It probably wasn't a speed-demon, however, it did work absolutely as advertised. As I recall, all files and programs were transferred intact, with installed parameters/settings etc. This obviously precluded many hours of searching for and installing all of my programs.
Later, I upgraded this unit to Win 7. This time I opted to create an absolutely clean environment. I installed a new HD and installed the OS. After that I connected the old drive as a 2nd drive. All programs were (re)installed fresh from original files/disks. Files were then transferred through simple copy. Yes, this was a long and arduous process, but I absolutely accomplished my goal of a fresh disk that had also never been touched by unwanted crapware.
As I said in the beginning, a lot depends on the priorities of what you want to accomplish. As the man says, 'Your mileage may vary'.

I've used this program to moves from XP to various new Windows and it worked well and saved a lot of time. However, there always seemed to be a few applications that weren't moved correctly. It seems that when you move or transfer MS Office or Quicken/QuickBooks to a new machine, You will have to reinstall them on the new machine. The data is OK but the app needs product codes and reactivation to work correctly.

No really, I abhor this software for my purposes. I have never had a piece of software underperform and waste my time as much as this did. Even then, the Laplink tech support of trying to resolve issues that I had was entirely unhelpful. Given my negative experience, I absolutely would never attempt this action through PC Mover or any competitor even - in my professional environment. I would seriously think twice about endorsing a friend or family member to use it either. I have sworn to decry their claims and warn others when I see articles or reviews such as this.

Granted, my professional environment includes AutoCAD. Yours most likely does not. I believe that this was the major detriment to PC Mover's success, if not the sole failure. AutoCAD has lots of integration, settings, and registry entries to enforce their licensing. Reasonably so, as it is a costly chunk of software, and used to be very commonly pirated. ACAD requires activation after installation, normally requiring a key code (wrong term) returned from AutoDesk, the maker of ACAD. When I tried to use PC Mover, the only thing (related to ACAD) that worked in the move was the shortcut on the desktop and start menu. The application was entirely DOA.

The process, although unattended, did not save in overall time. I wrote an image (Moving Van was their term, iirc) from the source PC, made it available to the new PC, and 'unpacked' it to the target PC. Both the gathering and unpacking of the image took over two and a half hours each, plus some time in between. In that much (gross) time, I could have just performed a clean install. Nevermind that I ended up performing a clean install after the failure.

A lack of any resolution from their tech support with my issue brings me to a no-confidence assessment of Laplink. Simply put, I paid for the Professional Edition, and it failed to perform on its claims. It really ought to come with an exceptions list of unmovable applications, although I honestly don't expect that to appear in their packaging, documentation, help, or other marketing materials. Their only defense was in the fine print of the EULA; small consolation there. They have earned themselves one highly dissatisfied customer.

Specifics:
* I was moving a user from an XP Media Center PC to an XP Professional PC, in 2009. It didn't even involve Vista or Win7. As described above, AutoCAD Mechanical 2007 did not transfer.
* User docs, identity, display, and normal apps like browsers, utilities and security did transfer correctly. I suppose that if that's all that you have involved, this may be an appropriate solution for you.
* I ended up starting over with a clean install of XP, upgrades, and all applications. I keep my app installers and keys gathered for this purpose anyway.

Takeaway:
* Use this if you don't know how to gather settings and transfer them yourself.
* Use this if you are moving a simple user to a new PC.
* Do not expect it to accurately transfer any software package generally valued over $700. I would add Rockwell Automation software (RSLinx, FactoryTalk, etc.) to the packages to avoid with, from my experience.
* BE PREPARED TO FAIL whenever you are taking a shortcut instead of 'doing things the hard way'. Sometimes, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

That last point ought to apply more widely as common sense, especially among IT pros.

I use to love PC Mover, but recently I was introduced to a inexpensive simple software that does the same thing called Fab AutoBackup. You can't beat the price and if you use it for personal use, the license can be used over 100 times.
Save your money and see for yourself, I was surprised.
http://www.fpnet.fr/shop/product_info.php?ref=21&products_id=28&affiliate_banner_id=1

A price you just can't beat!

I used PC Mover Pro to move a win2000 to an XP and another XP to a newer XP machine. While many things did transfer, nothing from Microsoft did. The biggest problem has the permission issues that were created. Phantom users from the old computers were transferred to the new ones. That crippled a lot of things and I've spent a lot of time straightening out the issues and removing phantom users. And the .NET versions didn't work at first. One .NET update can't be installed because it can't find the install directory which, if it still exists, is on the old machine.

I would not use it again. It has been uninstalled from my machines.

Aloha Bob was a far superior product, but then MicroSquish bought Eisenworld, shut them down, and incorporated a VERY crippled version of Aloha Bob (as their "move Files and Settings" utility) into Windows Vista; Gag!

LapLink's product is not bad for more rudimentary moves, but often misses or botches things and the main reason I use it is because at this point in time, there really isn't a better alternative other than old fashioned "brute force" which is VERY time consuming!