User State Migration Tool
Encyclopedia
The User State Migration Tool (USMT) is a Microsoft
command line utility program intended to allow advanced users, comfortable with Scripting language
, to transfer files and settings between PCs. This task is also performed by Windows Easy Transfer
, recommended for general users. USMT supports the high-volume, automated deployment of files and settings from Microsoft Windows versions 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7 and is useful in migrating user settings and files during OS upgrades. 32-bit to 64-bit migrations are supported, but 64-bit to 32-bit are not.
Because USMT has high complexity and a command line interface, there have been several attempts to provide access to its useful functionality by creating GUI
wrappers for it.
.
See more details on Microsoft Technet
.
What to transfer is specified as commandline switches in the configuration XML files migapp.xml, migsys.xml, miguser.xml and other optional Config.xml files. Which Users (and their data) to transfer is controlled by other switches.
An example of a "load data on to PC" command could look like this (in one line – newlines and indents added here for readability):
loadstate "Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1"
/i:"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\migapp.xml"
"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\migsys.xml"
/i:"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\miguser.xml"
/ue:*\* /ui:gutte /ui:Lotta /lac /lae
/progress:"C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\USMTprog.log"
/l:"C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\USMTscan.log"
/c
The "Scanstate" command is similar in complexity. Both commands require strict adherence to syntax.
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
command line utility program intended to allow advanced users, comfortable with Scripting language
Scripting language
A scripting language, script language, or extension language is a programming language that allows control of one or more applications. "Scripts" are distinct from the core code of the application, as they are usually written in a different language and are often created or at least modified by the...
, to transfer files and settings between PCs. This task is also performed by Windows Easy Transfer
Windows Easy Transfer
Windows Easy Transfer is a file transferring program included in newer versions of Microsoft Windows operating system which allows the switching files and settings between two PCs. The program aides migration of Windows XP or earlier to a new computer running Windows Vista or Windows 7. It...
, recommended for general users. USMT supports the high-volume, automated deployment of files and settings from Microsoft Windows versions 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7 and is useful in migrating user settings and files during OS upgrades. 32-bit to 64-bit migrations are supported, but 64-bit to 32-bit are not.
Because USMT has high complexity and a command line interface, there have been several attempts to provide access to its useful functionality by creating GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
wrappers for it.
Versions
USMT 3.0.1 and 2.6.2 are available publicly. . USMT 3.0.2 is a limited private release on Microsoft Connect for select affected customers. USMT 4 and later are included in the Windows Automated Installation KitWindows Automated Installation Kit
Windows Automated Installation Kit is a collection of tools and technologies produced by Microsoft designed to help deploy Microsoft Windows operating system images to target computers or to a VHD . It was first introduced with Windows Vista.- History :Windows AIK Version 1.0 was released with...
.
Source and destination OSes
| USMT version | Source operating system | Destination operating system |
|---|---|---|
| USMT 2 | Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP, Windows XP Professional x64 | Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP |
| USMT 3 | Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP, Windows XP Professional x64, Windows Vista (All 32-bit and 64-bit editions) | Windows XP, Windows Vista (All 32-bit and 64-bit editions) |
| USMT 4 | Windows XP SP3, Windows XP Professional x64, Windows Vista SP1 and Windows 7 (All 32-bit and 64-bit editions) | Windows Vista and Windows 7 (All 32-bit and 64-bit editions) |
What USMT transfers
USMT transfers- Selected User Accounts
- Files and folders
- E-mail messages, settings, and contacts
- Photos, music, and videos
- Windows settings
- Program data files and settings
- Internet settings
See more details on Microsoft Technet
History
USMT is a replacement for Windows XP's Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (FASTWiz) and Windows Vista's Easy transferWindows Easy Transfer
Windows Easy Transfer is a file transferring program included in newer versions of Microsoft Windows operating system which allows the switching files and settings between two PCs. The program aides migration of Windows XP or earlier to a new computer running Windows Vista or Windows 7. It...
.
Practical use of USMT
USMT consists of two separate programs. Scanstate.exe scans the source PC for the data and settings and stores it in a .MIG file. Loadstate migrates the data and settings from the .MIG file onto the target PC.What to transfer is specified as commandline switches in the configuration XML files migapp.xml, migsys.xml, miguser.xml and other optional Config.xml files. Which Users (and their data) to transfer is controlled by other switches.
An example of a "load data on to PC" command could look like this (in one line – newlines and indents added here for readability):
loadstate "Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1"
/i:"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\migapp.xml"
"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\migsys.xml"
/i:"Y:\temp\Migrationstorage\WS_toolshop1\miguser.xml"
/ue:*\* /ui:gutte /ui:Lotta /lac /lae
/progress:"C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\USMTprog.log"
/l:"C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\USMTscan.log"
/c
The "Scanstate" command is similar in complexity. Both commands require strict adherence to syntax.
GUI wrappers for USMT
Because of the complexity of USMT command-line input, there are third-party GUI front-ends available on the Internet, e.g.- Workstation Migration Assistant (this application is now open-source and the source code is available on http://github.com/sintaxasn/MigAssistant/GitHub)
- USMTGUI
- USMT XML Builder (aiming at editing USMT XML template files)
- M.U.S.T. - Move User's Stuff Tool (free USMT GUI that encapsulates most features of USMT4 plus more)
External links
- Microsoft Technet detailed documentation.