Transfer files from old windows Vista 32bit pc to new windows 8.1 64bit pc

[heatgram]

I am also trying to transfer files from my old Windows Vista 32bit Dell PC, to my new Windows 8.1 64bit Dell PC...

I am not sure of the best way to do this. I am trying to research this before I start the process, as I am not sure if my old hard drive will last much longer.



Which way is the best way to transfer documents, video, music, photos, documents?

-I have a Western Digital my passport slim portable hard drive

-I bought a transfer cable (Inland USB easy datalink transfer cable) store told me it was compatible, I am not sure if it is

-not sure if Windows easy transfer is the easiest or safest way.



Again I just want to make sure I am doing the safest way in case my old hard drive is going bad...



Thank you, any help would be appreciated

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Backup your Vista files that you want to save to the passport.

Do a clean install of 8.1 , then use the passport to transfer back saved files to 8.1 OS.

 

[USAFRet]

Do you have any kind of LAN in the house? As in a router?
If so, connect both, share a folder on one or the other. Connect and copy files as needed.

 

[Deleted member 1359562]

Windows Easy Transfer would be the best method. You can choose which folders you want to transfer. Furthermore, you can transfer them over a network or save them to an Easy Transfer file.

 

[cd_mixer]

Windows Easy Transfer would be the best method. You can choose which folders you want to transfer. Furthermore, you can transfer them over a network or save them to an Easy Transfer file.

I disagree entirely. This process does not work. Been there done all of that, from Microsoft and cnet download.com. Microsoft operating systems are not even compatible within themselves. I have worked on all of the Microsoft operating systems from windows 3.11 to now, for years and Microsoft keeps making things more difficult by controlling and not letting the user set up and run their computer as they see fit.
We are not stupid Microsoft but you sure make us feel that way, making us use inadequate software and charging a lot of money to do so. Shame on you......

 

[USAFRet]

Windows Easy Transfer would be the best method. You can choose which folders you want to transfer. Furthermore, you can transfer them over a network or save them to an Easy Transfer file.

I disagree entirely. This process does not work. Been there done all of that, from Microsoft and cnet download.com. Microsoft operating systems are not even compatible within themselves. I have worked on all of the Microsoft operating systems from windows 3.11 to now, for years and Microsoft keeps making things more difficult by controlling and not letting the user set up and run their computer as they see fit.
We are not stupid Microsoft but you sure make us feel that way, making us use inadequate software and charging a lot of money to do so. Shame on you......

No one is making you use it. There are alternatives.

 

[cdubaz]

Just wondering what you ended up doing. I have the exact same scenario where a friend has asked me to assist moving her files from old Vista, 32bit machine to new, 8.1, 64bit machine. I'm very familiar with Easy Transfer and have used it many times successfully on the job but never had the opportunity to use it with 8.1. I started out fine, copied the files from the old to an external HDD then went to Easy Transfer on 8.1 and it fails, every time. It tells me to download and use the latest Easy Transfer for Vista. I did this as well and again ran the transfer on the Vista machine. Same results on the 8.1 machine. I know how to go into her profile and move things but she has a lot of data and personalization. If I can actually do it with Easy Transfer, I'd rather.

 

[ollyowl]

Microsoft has at last given up on "Easy Transfer" - after wasting my time with it I final went on to their help line 1800 951 723, and had tech at MS directly assist in transferring files and programs - it took them nearly 18 hours to do!!!!!
this is not easy, and involved lots of problems, mainly with e-mail items/contacts/calendar etc.
I was told MS know that "Easy Transfer" cannot work between Vista and 8.1 - yet they continue to say so on their we sites - WHY?

 

[MassEffectIT]

Easy Transfer is not really available in Windows 8.1. And in Windows 10, it outright doesn't exist.

As mentioned previously in the thread, there are alternatives. I used Zinstall's "Easy Transfer for Windows 10", with success. They also have a more expensive one that transfers programs, not just files, but for my taste, I prefer to reinstall, didn't use that one.

Here's their Easy Transfer for Windows 10 tutorial.