What is User State Migration Tool?
The User State Migration Tool (USMT) is a free utility from Microsoft that assists with migrating user files and settings when transitioning from an old Windows computer to a new one. It is designed to help move personal data like documents, photos, music, browser favorites, and desktop settings to ensure a smooth transition to the new machine.
USMT works by scanning the old computer for user profiles and files, then capturing that data in a migration store file that gets transferred to the new computer. It can migrate files and settings for documents, desktop, start menu, web browser favorites, and more. The tool breaks the migration process into three steps - scanning, capturing, and restoring.
Some key capabilities and use cases for USMT include:
- Migrating user profiles and files when deploying new PCs in an organization
- Transferring personal user data when replacing an older PC with a new one
- Supporting Windows 10 migration by moving user-specific data to the new OS
USMT helps preserve user customizations and productivity by carrying over important personal files and settings that don't come over when you set up a new Windows device. It gives IT departments a customizable way to automate profile migrations.
EaseUS Todo PCTrans, PCmover, VMware vCenter Converter, CloneApp, Transwiz, Profile Migrator, Zinstall Migration Kit Pro, USMTGUI, Pickmeapp, IObit PCtransfer, USMT XML Builder GUI, Tranxition Migration Manager, Super Grate, Zinstall XP7, Windows Easy Transfer, AppMigrate are some alternatives to User State Migration Tool.