Description of the User State Migration Tool for Windows XP Professional

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This article was previously published under Q321197

SUMMARY

The User State Migration tool (USMT) includes the same functionality as the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, but also permits administrators to fully customize specific settings such as unique modifications to the registry.

The User State Migration tool is designed for administrators only; individual users do not have to use the User State Migration tool. The User State Migration tool requires a client computer that is connected to a Microsoft Windows server-based domain controller.

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MORE INFORMATION

The User State Migration tool includes two program files that are named ScanState.exe and LoadState.exe, and four migration-rule information files that are named Migapp.inf, Migsys.inf, Miguser.inf, and Sysfiles.inf.

ScanState.exe collects user data and settings based on the information that is contained in the Migapp.inf, Migsys.inf, Miguser.inf and Sysfiles.inf files. LoadState.exe deposits this user-state data on a computer that is running a "clean" (not upgraded) installation of Windows XP Professional. Both of these files are located on the Windows XP CD-ROM in the Valueadd\Msft\Usmt folder.

You can create additional .inf files for additional migration requirements. With no modification to the default settings, the User State Migration tool migrates:

Microsoft Internet Explorer settings
Microsoft Outlook Express settings and stores
Microsoft Outlook settings and stores
Dial-up connections
Phone and modem options
Accessibility options
Classic desktop
Screen saver selection
Fonts
Folder options
Taskbar settings
Mouse and keyboard settings
Sound settings
Regional options
Microsoft Office settings
Network drives and printers
My Documents folder
My Pictures folder
Cookies folder

You can modify the information that is included in the state that ScanState.exe collects. You can configure the tool to collect or leave specified files, folders, registry entries, or registry subtrees.

For more information about the rules and syntax for Migration Rule .inf files, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457097.aspx (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457097.aspx)

For more information about using the User State Migration tool for Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457090.aspx (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457090.aspx)

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User State Migration Tool requirements

Source computer requirements:
- Windows 95, Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR 2), Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2.5 (OSR 2.5), Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), Windows Millennium Edition, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional, or Windows XP Professional.
- Access to the intermediate store
Intermediate store requirements:
- Storage based on the data to be migrated. 50 MB is frequently enough for typical users, but this can vary.
Destination computer requirements:
- Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional
- Access to the intermediate store
- The appropriate drive space to receive the user state data

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REFERENCES

For additional information about the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306186 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306186/ ) How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard by using the Windows XP CD-ROM

306187 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306187/ ) How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard with a wizard disk in Windows XP

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