PC migration

PC migration is the process of transferring the entire user environment (i.e. personal documents and settings) between two computer systems.{{cite web|title=Definition of: PC migration|url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0%2C2542%2Ct%3DPC+migration%26i%3D56030%2C00.asp|work=PCMag.com|publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc|accessdate=29 May 2012|author=Staff|year=1981–2012|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010090504/http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0%2C2542%2Ct%3DPC+migration%26i%3D56030%2C00.asp|url-status=live}}

The migration problem is often associated with the concept of total cost of ownership where the requirement to migrate information is considered a "cost" in purchasing a new PC, similar considerations exist for businesses upgrading hardware/software.{{cite web|title=Microsoft Terrified Companies Won't Upgrade To Windows 7|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-terrified-the-enterprise-will-stick-with-xp-2009-2|work=Business Insider SAI|publisher=Business Insider, Inc|accessdate=29 May 2012|author=Eric Krangel|date=12 February 2009|archive-date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315135008/http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-terrified-the-enterprise-will-stick-with-xp-2009-2|url-status=live}}

PC migration is required whenever one needs to move to a new computer (i.e. purchasing new hardware), or upgrade to a new OS. Because of intrinsic differences and strong OS-hardware coupling, PC migration is considered to be a problem for both consumers and enterprises.{{Cite web |title=Compumate |url=http://www.compumate.ae/Migration%20&%20Relocation.html |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=www.compumate.ae}}{{cite web|title=Migrate to Windows 7--Slowly|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/174077/migrate_to_windows_7slowly.html|work=PCWorld|publisher=PCWorld Communications, Inc|accessdate=29 May 2012|author=Rick Broida|date=21 October 2009|archive-date=30 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430182433/http://www.pcworld.com/article/174077/migrate_to_windows_7slowly.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Computer Migration problem|url=http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/exchangesvrmigration/thread/7736ae55-b8c9-4fc6-b3ff-6c82580ac3b4/|work=Microsoft Exchange Server TechCenter|publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=29 May 2012|author=JamesHolder|author2=Jeff Schertz|date=6 August 2008|archive-date=24 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224113459/http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/exchangesvrmigration/thread/7736ae55-b8c9-4fc6-b3ff-6c82580ac3b4/|url-status=live}}

Some PC migration software products are capable of transferring not just settings and data, but also applications.{{cite web|url = http://pc-migration-software-review.toptenreviews.com/"|title = PC Migration Software Review 2015 – Reviews and comparisons|date = July 2015 | accessdate = August 14, 2015|website = Top Ten|last = Reviewers|first = Top 10}}{{cite web|url = http://gcn.com/Articles/2013/08/27/zinstall-winwin.aspx|title = Life after XP: Zinstall helps tame migration monsters|date = August 27, 2013|accessdate = July 6, 2014|website = Government Computing News|last = Breeden|first = John|archive-date = July 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183329/http://gcn.com/Articles/2013/08/27/zinstall-winwin.aspx|url-status = live}}

Sources for software that automates PC migration software include Laplink, Tranxition, and Swimage.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

Windows 10 does not any longer include a Windows transfer utility with the OS. Microsoft and Laplink PCmover have joined up to provide this functionality from Microsoft's site.{{cite web |title=Move your files, folders, and more |website=Microsoft |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/transfer-your-data |access-date=2015-09-08 |archive-date=2015-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904010356/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/transfer-your-data |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Windows Easy Transfer is not available in Windows 10 |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/windows-easy-transfer-is-not-available-in-windows-10 |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=2015-09-08 |archive-date=2015-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108212719/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/windows-easy-transfer-is-not-available-in-windows-10 |url-status=live }}