Top 5 Migration Utilities for Windows XP Users Moving to a New PC

Upgrading from Windows XP to a newer operating system is supposed to be an enjoyable and beneficial experience. Unfortunately, the task of moving all of your files, programs, and settings to a different computer/operating system is not always fun or easy, especially if you're migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8.

In fact, so many users complained about how difficult it was to upgrade from XP that Microsoft actually recently released a special free utility that is supposed to streamline the process of migrating out of XP. Even so, there are many complaints about this free program and as usual there are some third-party alternatives that may offer a more user-friendly and feature-rich approach than the standard XP upgrade tool from Microsoft.

Given that Microsoft is scheduled to stop providing support for Windows XP altogether as of April 8th 2014, now is a better time than ever to upgrade to a more modern operating system. To help you choose a migration utility for your XP exiting endeavor we've listed the top 5 XP migration utilities in the following brief comparison:

1. PCmover Express (free version from Microsoft) – The creators of this software, LapLink, have stated that the version being given away as a migration tool by Microsoft was made specifically for upgrading from Windows XP to another operating system or computer, so this is by far the fastest and easiest way to get the job done, but certainly not the most effective.

2. PCmover (Paid Version) (reviewed) – Although the free version that is being given out Microsoft does work to transfer files, it does not transfer your installed applications intact. If you want to get all of your programs over to your new operating system/computer without having to go through the tedious process of re-installing and losing all your preferences, then buying the paid version of PCmover may be your best bet.

3. Windows Easy Transfer - If you're trying to upgrade to Windows 7 you can use the Windows Easy Transfer utility. However, be aware that this tool is no longer being updated and that it is only good to use if you are upgrading from Vista or XP to Windows 7.

4. Zinstall – This software lets you transfer all of your old Windows XP applications to Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, all without losing software functionality. In addition to transferring applications to newer versions of Windows while maintaining compatibility, Zinstall also makes it easy to migrate all of your documents, pictures, music, settings, favorites, and appearance preferences. This software offers an advantage over typical VM solutions because no re-installs are required.

5. O&O Migration Kit – O&O's migration kit is specifically designed to help you upgrade from Windows XP or other old versions of Windows into Windows 7 and 8 with as little hassle as possible. You can migrate to a different operating system on the same computer or you can use it to transfer all of your data and programs from one computer to another.