Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 Beta with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta

Posted By: Adam Bomb | Mar 5th @ 9:43 AM | 133,219 Views | 20 Comments

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There's been a lot of press about how there isn't a an upgrade path from Windows XP to Windows 7. In this video, Jeremy walked me through using the latest beta of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, specificallly the User State Migration Tool, to transfer the user settings and files from a Windowx XP installation to a new install of Windows 7 on the same PC.
One of the really cool features in this new version is hardlink migration. In the past, if you wanted to back up all of a users files and settings, those had to be transferred to a different drive, and the new OS install would wipe the machine, complete the new install, and then you'd transfer the files back. With hardlink migration, all the files stay in place on the machine, and the Win7 install just updates file locations with hardlinks. This means the install and settings transfer happens much faster, because the files aren't transferred at all, just the paths to them are updated. It's really cool, and means you can have a fresh install of Win7, with all your XP files and settings, completed in as few as 30 minutes.
The new Microsoft Deployment Toolkit beta can be found on http://connect.microsoft.com

Tags: Application Compatibility, Deployment, Top 10, TopicWin7, Windows 7, Windows XP

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Buddy1958

You mention the need for another program, in addition to this one, at the end of your presentation. Where exactly is that program available? I have looked where you directed; however, I have not been able to locate it. Please post exactly where it is located for us. Thanks.

Hakan

Hi Adam,
Regarding documentation:

• USMT 4.0 is required to support Windows 7 Beta deployments. However, only Lite Touch Installation-based deployments are currently supported. Configuration Manager 2007 deployments are not supported.
• USMT version 3.0.1 .msi files are supported to migrate user data during deployment. Use the following steps to install USMT 3.0.1:

Is somewhere USMT 4.0 available for download ?

Regards,

Lukas

exexpat

In reply to Hakan

#Mar 31st @ 5:48 AM

USMT 4.0 is part of the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) and required for this scenario. It can be downloaded here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4ad85860-d1f4-42a1-a46c-e039e3d0db5d

Once you install the Windows AIK, USMT bits are located here by default:
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\USMT

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit will be able to detect that the Windows AIK is installed and pull the USMT bits it needs when you create your builds. MDT 2010 Beta requires Windows AIK and can be downloaded as a public Beta on Microsoft Connect here: https://connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=1646&InvitationID=MDTB-7XYJ-JH26&SiteID=14

Roblegge

Great for Companies with a large IT department. Not so good for smaller organisations and individuals who haven't upgraded to XP. Is there path for them? If not you're ignoring a huge potential market place.

Lux

In reply to Roblegge

#Apr 6th @ 5:41 AM

I have just briefly went through the MDT and AIK documentation the other day, but haven't had time to do all the required steps.

After reading comment from Roblegge I have to agree - this user migration scenario should be available as a download-and-run tool. Sure, you'd lose the ability to add Office into the Windows image itself, or auto-installing applications. But it would be great for wide masses.

In fact, if you would run upgrade from Windows 7 DVD, it should offer two ways of upgrading. "Standard" in-place upgrade would be default (but available just for Vista), and advanced options would lead to this user state migration tool.

Imagine just popping in Windows 7 DVD on your home XP computer, it asks if you want upgrade or clean install (format), than you pick upgrade, click advanced, pick user-state-migration, and after 30 minutes you're inside Windows 7, and yet all your personal FILES are at the same place as they were before. You'd just have to reinstall your applications, which is much less time than it takes to backup&restore PERSONAL DATA..

Anyway, I'll take my time between Win7 RC and RTM to test this functionality. I am positive that it is worth the time to prepare at least for a small-office scenarios and beyond.

Oh, and good work on this to everyone involved!

exexpat

In reply to Lux

#Apr 8th @ 10:34 AM

I can almost give you the scenario you are looking for with this video. Granted it takes a little preparation up-front, but migration from the Windows 7 setup-created windows.old directory is super cool:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/7/B/67B39EBB-85AD-4B99-AA25-39FFE31DA861/usmtxp.wmv

For a single machine, this probably doesn't make sense, but if you want to install from media to say 5 or more domain-joined machines, this can save you hours of time doing migration.

My Name is Will

In reply to Roblegge

#Apr 6th @ 5:41 AM

It's never a good idea to "upgrade" PCs in a corporate environment. In upgrading you end up creating more support tasks. Fresh install is always the way to go, and in any situation you should be using Imaging as oppossed to upgrading.

My name is William

HammerMan

In reply to My Name is Will

#Apr 13th @ 10:28 AM

Look Bill,

Although I tend to agree with you in this case, one thing I have learned is that "ALWAYS" is a pretty powerful word. Just because fresh installs are the way that you and I do it, it may not always be the "BEST" approach.

My name is not William

Harmless

I don't suppose there's any way to make this work from or to older OSes? I'm going to be doing roughly 40 upgrades from Win2k to XP in the next few months and it would save a good deal of time.