Introduction to USMT 4.0
Windows® User State Migration Tool (USMT) 4.0 is a scriptable command-line tool that provides a highly-customizable user-profile migration experience for IT professionals. USMT includes two components, ScanState and LoadState, and a set of modifiable .xml files: MigApp.xml, MigUser.xml, and MigDocs.xml. In addition, you can create custom .xml files to support your migration needs. You can also create a Config.xml file to specify files or settings to exclude from the migration.
Benefits
USMT 4.0 provides the following benefits to businesses that are deploying Windows® operating systems:
- Safely migrates user accounts, operating system and application settings.
- Lowers the cost of deploying Windows® by preserving user state
- Reduces end-user downtime required to customize desktops and find missing files
- Reduces help-desk calls
- Reduces the time needed for the user to become familiar with the new operating system
- Increases employee satisfaction with the migration experience.
Limitations
USMT is intended for administrators who are performing large-scale automated deployments. If you are only migrating the user states of a few computers, you can use Windows Easy Transfer for computers running Windows Vista® or Windows® 7.
There are some scenarios in which the use of USMT 4.0 is not recommended. These include:
- Migrations that require end-user interaction.
- Migrations that require customization on a machine-by-machine basis.
In This Guide
Quick Links