Migrating User Data Question?

Josh Hebert

Hi everyone, I was just watching the Migrating user data on the site under Windows 10 (MD-100). Mike said that when migrating a users data to a new computer from their old computer, the user could not have logged into the new computer before(i.e. the profile can't be there). My question is, if the user had logged into the new computer can you just remove the profile under Advanced options and then proceed as normal? Also does this tool Migrate programs as well as settings or do they need to be installed on the new machine first?

Mike Rodrick

Hey @Josh-Hebert ,

You can, and should, delete the existing profile before starting the migration, if the user has logged on to the machine before (make sure to backup any data). As long as the profile does not exist when running loadstate, it should be able to create and import the users profile and settings.

The USMT does not migrate applications, just the settings. So you will need to install the applications first, before running loadstate. That way the application will have created any registry keys and/or directories needed to import the application settings.

Josh Hebert

Thank you so much.

Josh Hebert

Hi Mike, the migration doesn't see to migrate Edge or Chrome Bookmarks. Any ideas why? Or does this tool just not do bookmarks.

Mike Rodrick

Hey @Josh-Hebert ,

Glad to help!

So the bad news first. Edge, Sticky Notes and all other "modern UI" apps are installed after the user logs in, any migration by USMT will be overwritten, no matter how you do it. The recommendation from Microsoft is to use a Microsoft account to sync Edge favorites across multiple devices.

To see your favorites and reading list on across your Windows PCs and phones, you need to sign in with the same Microsoft account on all these devices

To turn on syncing in Windows settings:
1) Select the Start button and select Settings.
2) Select Accounts > Sync your settings and turn on Sync settings.

To turn on syncing in Microsoft Edge on your PC:
1) Select Settings and more  > Settings.
2) Under Account, turn on Sync.

For some good news, you can migrate Chrome bookmarks using USMT. But...you will need to modify the MigApp.xml. Unfortunately, it's not easy. However, the good folks at Elhertech have made some custom XML files that are free to use! They make a GUI front end for USMT, but you don't need that to use the custom xml files.

https://ehlertech.com/customxmls/

Download the reference XML files, extract them out and find the MigApp.xml file. Replace the default MigApp.xml with this one (on the source and destination) and it should get Chrome (and Firefox) favorites and settings. If you search the file for Chrome, you will find the settings they have added. If you already have a custom MigApp file, you can copy the Chrome section and add to your custom file. I haven't used it myself, so maybe try it in a test environment first.

Let me know how it goes!