Backup and Restore User Settings in Windows 8.1

PrplHaz4

New Member
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I used to use Windows Easy Transfer to backup my settings and files before reinstalling/reimaging...etc - now that doesn't exist, and File History really doesn't cut it when it comes to apps and settings.

A system image really won't work either, as I need to reinstall windows 8.1 on a new system with different partitioning...etc.

Are there any Windows 8.1 native tools that will do it? If not, are there any freeware apps that perform the equivalent?

I have checked out Paragon Backup and Recovery (more all-or-nothing) and D7 (freeware version doesn't have automated restore - but it does create registry dumps...hmmm) but neither seems to work as simply/well as WET used to.

I have tried just saving the User profile folder, but unfortunately, that doesn't save anything that's in the registry (outlook profiles, app settings...etc).
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I wonder if they actually deleted migwiz in 8.1? Look here: %windir%\system32\migwiz\migwiz.exe

If it's there it may still run. If not you can try adding it. I just zipped up %windir%\system32\migwiz as W8migwiz.zip. Currently uploading to my Dropbox account. If you want to try it, download from here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1b8rabjupy59pmz/W8migwiz.zip

Edit: Just tried it on my Win 8.1 X86 laptop and %windir%\system32\migwiz is still there and running migwiz.exe brings up the normal WET window, but it seems to only support transferring into 8.1, not from 8.1, bummer.

Edit#2: tried renaming %windir%\system32\migwiz to %windir%\system32\migwiz-old then unzipping W8migwiz.zip to %windir%\system32\migwiz. Won't run, bummer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Edit: Just tried it on my Win 8.1 X86 laptop and %windir%\system32\migwiz is still there and running migwiz.exe brings up the normal WET window, but it seems to only support transferring into 8.1, not from 8.1, bummer.

Ah yes, that was my experience as well - oddly enough I wasn't really a big fan of that tool until I didn't have it anymore! Thanks for checking it out for me.

I'm a little surprised that copying the profile folder doesn't work, as I'd expect to get more of my settings to come over with ntuser.dat.

I can't imagine that the "right" solution would be moving Users/*, ProgramData/* and Program Files/* then just reinstalling all my apps....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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