User data may be manually backed up by the end user or administrator. Manually backing up user data requires knowledge of the operating system and the file system in use. User data backup entails copying the user's files and folders from the system drive to another hard drive, external device, removable media, or network location. User data is generally located in the user's profile folder although it can really be anywhere on the hard drive the user may have saved a file. It is best practice to ask the end user where he or she saves data and what file locations and folders the data is on.
This process may be performed straight from Windows Explorer on Windows XP or Windows Vista. Open a Windows Explorer window and navigate to the backup location. This may be another hard drive folder, external hard drive, USB key, a blank CD or DVD, or a network-shared drive. Open another Windows Explorer window and navigate to the user's profile folder.
On Windows XP look in %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\%UserName% and on Windows Vista look in %SystemDrive%\Users\%UserName%, right-click on the entire user folder and select Copy. Navigate to the Windows Explorer window of the backup location. Right-click and select Paste. Repeat for all files and folders that will be backed up.
There are a number of third-party tools available that promise to properly move user data, settings, and even applications. Most of these tools are not free but have a proven track record of being more successful and able to copy more components to the new system. For a single system migration, LapLink PCmover has proved to be successful.
LapLink Software has been around the PC industry for years. The PCmover program has also been around for years and had a major rewrite for Windows 7. PCmover does all the functions of Microsoft's Windows Easy Transfer with the additional feature of migrating installed applications as well. PCmover must be installed on the current operating system before attempting to migrate to Windows 7. The general process works something like the following, but please see the product documentation for exact steps:
1. Install LapLink PCmover on the current Windows XP or Windows Vista machine.
2. Start PCmover and choose the Upgrade Assistant.
3. Scan the computer for an inventory of the user data, settings, applications,and other information. An inventory file will be saved on the current system.
4. Install Windows 7 with the Custom Install option without formatting the drive.
5. Once the Windows 7 upgrade completes, do not delete the Windows.old folder.
6. Install and run PCmover again. Choose Upgrade Assistant again.
7. PCmover should locate the upgrade file and move the data and application from the old install to the new Windows 7 install. This includes moving settings and registry keys.
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