Good point on the Easy Transfer Wizard. I didn't realize that you could use
it to save settings from one edition of Vista on the same computer for the
one you're going to install. Did you mean to save them to either media or
another drive or another hard drive external or internal?
I have a little method that involves a simple drag and drop and it would
only take seconds if it weren't for backing up Outlook and Windows Mail.
There is a backup utility for Outlook 2003 as a free download from MSFT, but
I don't know that it will work for OL 2007 and haven't tried that. If
there's one for OL 2007 already, I haven't found it.
Outlook 2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup
www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&familyid=8B081F3A-B7D0-4B16-B8AF-5A6322F4FD01
I thought it's context was mainly from one pc to another and it involved
using a WET cable. I had missed that it could be used to save files and
settings (I suppose on a different drive if you're dual booting). I know
you can copy Windows Easy Transfer to your old computer using a CD or DVD,
a network (if both computers are connected to the same network), or a USB
flash drive).
I'm quoting from Help and Support on Windows Easy Transfer:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/9e2347fc-43af-4ff9-8e33-0002b9d449561033.mspx
"An Easy Transfer Cable is a specially designed USB cable that can connect
two computers and be used with Windows Easy Transfer. It's one of the
simplest ways to transfer files and settings to your new computer and works
with Microsoft Windows 2000 (files only), Windows XP, and Windows Vista."
I supposed an alternative would be to use the backup utility in Vista, which
I compresses depending on file size on media, but doesn't compress if you
backup to a hard drive.
"Which method should I use to transfer my files and settings?
There are several choices. Be sure to choose a method that works on both
computers. For example, if you don't have a DVD drive on your old computer,
you can't use DVDs for this procedure. Note that floppy disks cannot be used
with Windows Easy Transfer.
Easy Transfer Cable
What you'll need: An Easy Transfer Cable and a USB port on each computer.
An Easy Transfer Cable is a specially designed USB cable that can connect
two computers and be used with Windows Easy Transfer. It's one of the
simplest ways to transfer files and settings to your new computer and works
with Microsoft Windows 2000 (files only), Windows XP, and Windows Vista.
Where to get one: If you don't have an Easy Transfer Cable, you can order
one online or from your computer manufacturer, or get one at an electronics
store.
Note
A standard USB cable cannot be used to transfer files and settings between
computers.
Network
What you'll need: A network with both computers connected to it and the
ability to access the same network folders or locations.
Connect both computers to your network, start Windows Easy Transfer on the
new computer, and then follow the instructions.
DVDs or CDs
What you'll need: Writeable DVD or CD drives on both computers and enough
writeable discs to hold what you want to transfer. (A dual-layer DVD holds
about 8.5 gigabytes (GB), a single-layer DVD holds about 4.7 GB, and a CD
holds about 700 megabytes (MB).) Both computers must be able to read and
write DVDs or CDs. Check the information that came with your computer to see
if you have a CD or DVD drive that can read and write CDs or DVDs and
whether it can read and write to a dual-layer DVD.
Start Windows Easy Transfer on your new computer, and then follow the
instructions for using CDs or DVDs.
USB flash drive or external hard disk
What you'll need: A USB flash drive (this requires a USB port on each
computer) or an external hard disk compatible with both computers.
Start Windows Easy Transfer on your new computer, and then follow the
instructions for using a USB flash drive or an external hard disk.
Note
To decide what method to use, consider how much you are transferring. If
you're transferring everything from all users or all of your user account
files, or if you select many files while making a custom selection of which
files and settings to transfer, an Easy Transfer Cable or a network is a
good option because the transfer can take a while and you won't have to
worry about having enough room for everything. If you're only transferring a
few files or folders, then consider using removable media such as CDs, DVDs,
or a flash drive, any of which might be as fast as using an Easy Transfer
Cable or a network."
CH
