using flash drive

11 years ago

I need to move photos, documents, emails from my old Vista to my new 8.1 computers. I've never had to do this before. Can I put all the different things on the flash drive at once or should I do photos, then transfer them to 8.1 and go back and do documents, etc? What I'm wondering is if the new computer will open 3 different programs in order to add my files from the flash drive or should I do them separately? Thanks for any help you can give me.

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Comments (6)

PKponder TX Z7B
11 years ago
You can move all of the files regardless of type. No programs should open except Windows Explorer to move the files. Just open one WE window with the files you want to move and a seperate WE (windows explorer) window that has the flash drive open. Copy and paste until it's full, then repeat the process (in reverse) on the new computer.

As far as what they'll open with once you've moved them, that really depends on what file type they are and what the default application is on the new computer for opening that particular file type.
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kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a
11 years ago
Yes, a flash drive is essentially just like any other drive, and as pkponder says, just use Windows Explorer to drag folders and files into and out of it.

Make sure your different groups of files - say photos - stay in their own Photos folder on the Flash drive, so things don't get all mixed up.
Make new folders when necessary.

When you get to the new computer, just drag files to the places that you want them - probably similar locations as in the old computer.

Also I always use a two pane Windows Explorer view so I see the folders on the left, and folders and files on the right.
Open up as many Windows Explorer windows as you like, and drag from one to the other.
You can even do copy and paste.

Try experimenting a little bit - you'll probably find it's not that difficult.

By the way, Microsoft has an Easy Transfer Tool which started with XP but I believe is builtin starting with Vista.
That would probably do it all for you :

http://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-using-easy-transfer-to-migrate-data-between-xp-vista-windows-7/

and the following . . .
It looks like you have to start with XP, but I believe it works just as well starting with Vista.

Here is a link that might be useful: Migrate XP to Windows 7 with Easy Transfer and a USB Drive
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just to clarify you said the vista laptop now recognizes the connection for the network but will not connect to it, did you select your network from the network list and enter your passphrase info into the box so that it has permission to access your network? What steps exactly have you done to try to get it to connect? When you see the networks list how is your network rated? how many green bars? does it say the correct name for your network? what security rating does it give for your network? You have turned on the wireless on the laptop? are all of your workgroups named the same on all your computers, are your passwords correct? Lets check this stuff just for the off chance it may make a difference here. The first thing you'll want to do is ensure that your PCs all have the same Workgroup name. If you kept the default from Windows XP, your workgroup is called MSHOME. In Vista, the default is WORKGROUP. If you want to view and edit the computer details on each PC to rename your workgroup, you can access this from the main "Vista Welcome Center" screen by choosing the first option "View Computer Details" and select "Show More". This will quickly bring up the Computer Name tab. Here you want to name your PC (this is what it will show up as on the network) and also change your workgroup name. You will need to use the same Workgroup name on each PC that you want to enable file sharing with. Have you tried a full shut down of all items involved in the proper shut down and restart method? Turn off all computers (I go so far as to unplug the power cord too), disconnect power from router and modem each individually, let set for several minutes, then power up the modem first, let it get fully initialized all green lights, then power up the router again let it get fully initialized and lit up, next power up your desktop fully, then laptop. See if you get connected with all computers. do not rush let it take time so that they can renew and establish the new info for the connection. Often times this is the magic pill so if you have not done this by all means do it now. also check this: "In Windows Vista Home Premium, you have two options for Network Location: Public and Private, and you must choose the Network Location the first time you connect your PC to the network. The network location is what determines your Microsoft Vista firewall settings. * Public: If you're connecting to a network in a public place, for example a coffee shop or airport, you'll choose a Public location type. Choosing public will limit discovery of other computers and is designed to keep your computer from being visible to others on the network. Public offers the most security. * Private: Private networks is what you will need to select for home, small office or work networks. Choosing private will automatically configure the firewall settings to allow for communication. " try following this guide step by step also see if something shows up that you may have missed. Windows Vista Tip
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urlee
11 years ago
Actually, What I did, was put everything (as sub folders) into one folder placed on the desktop of my WinXP. From there, I pulled it onto my flash drive from my windows XP computer, then pulled it off my flash drive onto my Windows 7 laptop when I got it and it still sits there on the win7 desktop. When I want to get a picture I took with my camera, I open that main folder and go to the sub folder I named, "My Pictures" and there it is. I do the same to what ever I want depending on what sub folder it is in like oatmeal would be in the Food sub folder located in the main folder that sits on the desktop of my new computer. I have 178 folders inside that one folder, with many sub folders inside the folders that are in the main folder.
If I ever get a new desktop computer, all I have to do is put that main folder onto my flash drive again and place it onto the next new computer. Those folders inside the main folder, can always be taken out and put where you want them.
All the info I have in folders are backed up to an external USB hard drive I could use too, if I want to transport to a new computer.

Confuse you? (sorry)
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I have checked the Windows Transfer utility on Win 8, it does not include Vista. I'll give it a shot with flash drive. Thanks for your help. Can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
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kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a
11 years ago
Hmm, I had to research the Win 8 restrictions.

All the transfer guides say you can use Easy Transfer between Vista and Win 8 but apparently the issue is that you can't transfer *settings* from Vista.
So you would want to uncheck that when choosing what to transfer.
But you should be able to transfer your files - if you have enough space on your flash drive.
Indeed I saw two people who said it doesn't work, but perhaps they didn't uncheck "settings" first.

Wikipedia :
"In Windows 8.1, Windows Easy Transfer can only import previous settings from Windows 7, Windows 8 . . . "

But for example, see the page at the bottom re Vista & Win8 .

And here's about the most complete guide I've found yet :
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/transfer-your-data-with-windows-easy-transfer/

Here is a link that might be useful: Using Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer Software for Upgrading to a Windows 7 or 8 Computer
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kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a
11 years ago
Another option is to use Windows' Backup & Restore :

From Microsoft :
". . . use Backup and Restore in Windows Vista. For more information, see Back up your files and Restore a backup created on a previous version of Windows on the Windows website.

Just google for "Windows Backup and Restore guide", something like that.

using flash drive

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PKponder TX Z7B

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using flash drive

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PKponder TX Z7B

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urlee

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