What is the crowd's opinion of Zinstall XP7?

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Do this before 30 days has elapsed otherwise Windows.old will automatically be deleted. Worth making a disk image backup with Macrium Reflect Free now. http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-downgrade-windows-10-and-get-Windows-7-or-Windows-8-back#built-in-downgrade

Yep - not being able to even run the installer is a real sticking point here. And, as you say, even if the installer runs, you would have to know how to set up the database connection. That's the 'value add' you get from a VAR that does these deployments, not something you would expect a sysadmin to know offhand.

A brief search turned up http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-from-windows-7-to-windows-10-with-programs-and-files - I've never heard of or used Zinstall, but it claims to be able to transfer application software from W7 to W10 along with your cat pictures and whatnot. That's something you might try - and if it doesn't work, you haven't borked the W7 machine (assuming Zinstall doesn't screw anything up).

If you don't mind doing a one-by-one 'thing', you can use ForensIT's Transwiz. I use it a lot (senior consultant for an MSP) and it is quite nifty. I've also come upon zInstall. I demo'd it and it's great. But, it will cost you a bit of scratch.

In this case, when you go to upgrade just make sure you click the option that says "keep all files" and it will all be fine :)

Edit: You could also read up on this: http://www.zinstall.com/products/windows-10-upgrade-companion if you're that worried

Zinstall have one, works pretty good: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-use-windows-easy-transfer-on-windows-10

However, I'd actually suggest using their more advanced product that can transfer programs as well. More bang for your buck.

Researching options.

Wants:

Licensing per technician/corporation, not per transfer. Willing to pay more for one-time purchase.

Transfers apps and app settings. ODBC, signatures, printers, etc.

32 bit to 64 bit. At least XP to Win10.

Suites found:

~~ForensiT Transwiz~~ DOES NOT SUPPORT WIN 10 $89 per tech, $15 a year

~~zinstall~~ $1800 a year + $19 per transfer

Todo PCTrans $399 - Unlimited transfers within company

You can do it using this tutorial: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-adobe-creative-suite-from-one-computer-to-another It moves Photoshop itself, all the files, actions, presets, brushes etc.

They also have one for Creative Suite in general, worked to move CS5 for me: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-adobe-creative-suite-from-one-computer-to-another

You can use this tutorial: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-programs-and-files-to-new-computer

It's the easiest way to do it that I know of (although not free). Most importantly, it transfer programs - not just files.

If free is a must, however, best is probably to copy files with a USB drive, but you'll have to reinstall everything else.

You can do this automatically with Zinstall, but it won't be free... Here's their tutorial if you do with that route: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-programs-and-files-to-new-computer

There was another thread about this exact thing, where they mentioned this tutorial: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-use-windows-easy-transfer-on-windows-10 However, it is not free, so there's that.

Did it work for you?

I'll see to pay heed to your advice. Last time I checked installed applications are guaranteed to still work on Windows 10 installation in certain languages. Otherwise, you have to reinstall them.

As of August 1st. 2015,

> "Important
> That said, according Microsoft, if you’re running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 and your system language isn’t English, Brazilian Portuguese, or Chinese Simplified, you will not be able to keep your installed applications and Windows settings while upgrading to Windows 10. Only your personal files will be preserved."

(source)

And even if that changed from Aug. 1st. 'til now:

According to this other source, > Standard Microsoft applications and common software suites will be preserved. However, less common applications, such as older versions of Office, some accounting and tax software, games, custom applications and other 3rd party applications, may develop issues after the upgrade to Windows 10, or stop working altogether.

I see this latest issue as being a bit problematic for me. "3rd. party applications" can mean "any application not developed by Microsoft", so they could work or not. until I know more, I'll keep having my applications working properly.

OTOH, most "experts" recommend a clean install (and I see the reason for that). I agree, but I'll wait for my holidays (January) so I'll have more time to do so. Reinstalling programs, drivers, etc., will be a pain in the ass. And no, CloneApp and such applications are not always a viable solution.

Thanks for the advice, I know that Windows 10 is a bit better than 8.1 and sooner or later I'll make the move.

I've used Zinstall a bunch of times, and it worked great. For me, it's worth the money, and saves much more in time and in programs / data transferred.

EaseUS is like any other chinese product. It's cheap, yes, but you get what you pay for.

Anyway, here's Zinstall's tutorial on how they do it: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-programs-and-files-to-new-computer

You don't have to clone, and you don't have to replace. There are tools out there that can transfer all of your stuff, including programs, from the drive to a new computer, or directly across computers.

Here is for a example a good tutorial that I've used a few month ago for this situation exactly: How to transfer programs and files to new PC

Hope this helps!

Easy Transfer is definitely gone. There are 3rd party alternatives, though. I've used Zinstall with pretty awesome results. Transferred files, settings, account settings, all of that stuff. They even have one that transfers programs, too.

Here's their Windows 10 "Easy Transfer" tutorial. Has a video.