Orlogix®'s "Transfer MyPC®" "Policy Manager" User Guide

The only software that moves a users applications, files, and settings
Now updated for Windows 11!

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Orlogix's "Transfer MyPC" is an automated Windows OS user-environment migration tool capable of transferring installed applications, user profiles, files and settings to a user's new physical or virtual personal computer.

Transferring a Windows PC or Notebook across any TCP/IP LAN, Laplink Transfer Cables, any standard Ethernet crossover cable, or using file storage media such as optical discs, USB drives or file servers can be as simple as a single click. Computers with multiple users have the option to transfer some or all the users at once, with security information about file ownership and access control preserved for each user.

Glossary

"Old PC"/Source PC
The source PC is the "old" user environment that contains the applications, files, and settings that you wish to move to the destination, or "new" PC. The source can be a physical desktop or notebook, a virtual PC, a drive image or a bare physical hard drive.
"New PC"/Destination PC
The "new" PC is the user environment to which the applications, files, and settings are moved. Only transfer to physical or virtual PCs is supported. You cannot migrate to a drive image or a bare physical hard drive.
Transfer
The process of copying all the selected applications, files, and settings from the "Old PC" to the "New PC". Note that this process is very careful to not over-write any existing data on the "New PC" or equally to delete any data on the "Old PC".
Serial Number
This is the developers term for the code they provide after purchase of one or more licences. A single serial number can indicate any number of usable license activations from zero to many 1000's. You will be required to input the serial number at some point to activate the purchased license and be permitted to use the product. Another commonly used term for this is "license code". Note that the "serial number" is in no way related to any hardware you purchase. You will not see it on a label stuck to your hardware by an OEM such as Dell.
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) User
Domain user profile in Microsoft's Azure AD cloud-based domain.
Local Active Directory (Local AD) User
Domain user profile in an on-premise, physical server-based domain..
Local (Non-Domain) User
User profile set up on one PC not connected to any domain.
Old/Source User Profile
A user with files, settings, and/or applications that you wish to transfer to the target, or "new" user profile.
New/Target User Profile
user to which the files, settings, and/or applications are transferred.

Overview

Transfer MyPC is composed of three essential components that interact to manage a successful migration. The Policy Manager is used by administrators to create the Policy File. The policy file is used to control the migrations, and the third component, the Transfer MyPC Client, is executed by the clients.

Policy Manager: The module used to configure and customize migrations through creating and editing policy files. In a policy file, you can specify what programs, files, and settings you want transferred, which PC and/or user is allowed to do the migration, and to which PC the data will be transferred. A license can also be pre-activated for an offline migration.

Transfer MyPC Client: The migration wizard that will transfer the programs, files, and settings from a source (old) PC to the target (new) PC, depending on the customized settings and configurations set up by you (the IT Administrator) in the policy file. Transfer MyPC Client can be installed and run from the user's source and target PCs, or directly from a corporate network or removable storage device.

For instructions on performing a migration using the Transfer MyPC Client, see the Transfer MyPC enterprise Edition v11 User Guide

Policy File: Applies to and controls migrations.

Migration Strategies

There are multiple ways to run a user migration, from full user interaction to zero touch migrations. Many IT managers strive to reduce user interaction to avoid potential mistakes. Transfer MyPC Enterprise Edition supports the most common IT strategies for deploying new hardware and/or OS Upgrades.

Light touch: Using policy files, you can place restrictions on Transfer MyPC migrations. The user's choices in the Transfer MyPC screens can also be limited, giving the user a 'light touch' migration.

Zero touch: If you make all the choices in the policy file, then the migration is automated, with no decisions needed by the user.

Installation

Pre-Installation Information

Network Domain PCs: Corporate PCs on the network domain should be connected and logged into the domain at least once prior to the migration. If a domain user profile will be migrated, then the migration must be run with domain administrator privileges unless the user has logged into the new PC at least once.

Firewall(s): During product activation, Transfer MyPC must have an active Internet connection that is not restricted by a firewall, whether it is a software firewall or a hardware firewall. Additionally, firewall(s) could potentially block communication over network ports between PCs. Confirm all firewalls are disabled prior to migration.

Anti-virus and Anti-spyware Applications: Antivirus software/services should be turned off/disabled. Antivirus software slows the migration significantly and may cause a full or partial failure of the migration.

Application Compatibility: Be sure that programs are compatible with the target operating system. If you determine that an application is not compatible with the new operating system, Transfer MyPC supports 'include' and 'exclude' lists to select applications for migration.

Minimum Requirements

Clients
Windows Vista or later (Windows Server not supported)
Disk Space Requirements
Full install : 390 MB
Client Directory : 90 MB

Installing Transfer MyPC Policy Manager

  1. Save the .exe file to your PC from the download URL given to you by your vendor.
  2. Run the .exe file . Once the InstallShield Wizard opens, follow the onscreen prompts until you reach the Custom Setup screen.
  3. On the Custom Setup screen, you have the option to change the installation location.

IMPORTANT: .Net 4.5.2 Framework must be installed on each machine on which Policy Manager or Transfer MyPC Client will be run. See Microsoft's website for more information and to download .Net 4.5.2 Framework if needed.

Running Transfer MyPC Client

For instructions on performing a migration using the Transfer MyPC Client, see the Transfer MyPC enterprise Edition v11 User Guide

Configuring a Policy File

Overview: Configurable settings are divided into two categories, each organized under the two named sections

  • User Interface: Each tab in this section corresponds to a specific screen in the Transfer MyPC Client. These settings affect the screens and selection options the user will see during the migration.
  • Engine: Settings that affect the running of the Transfer MyPC Client, but do not correspond to a specific screen.

Showing changes made in the Policy File: All tabs that have been changed from the default will be shown with a blue box to the left of the name of each tab in the list.

User Interface Tabs

At the top of each User Interface tab is an option allowing the screen to be displayed to the user. This is preselected by default. If you make the necessary selections for the user, you can then uncheck this box if desired so the user will not see the specific screen.

If the Display checkbox is checked and grayed out, then one or more selections are still needed. The screen will be shown to the user during the migration so the necessary selection(s) can be made.

General

Policy Type Dropdown - Choose the default settings used by Transfer MyPC.

Policy Mode Dropdown - Sets how this policy file is handled:

  • Normal - Execute this policy file normally (i.e., sets all the configuration based on this policy).
  • New Default - Forces Transfer MyPC to just use the defaults.
  • Recorded - Handle this policy as if it were a recorded policy file.

General Options:

  • Record Policy - Record users interaction into a policy file called RecordedPolicy.Pol stored in App Data. This recorded policy file can then be used for future migrations.
  • Run in Simulation - Runs Transfer MyPC in simulation mode allowing a user to see a mock migration.
  • Minimum UI - Runs Transfer MyPC in a very minimalistic fashion.
  • Make Advanced Options the initial page - Skips the Welcome Screen and proceeds to the Advanced Options Page.
  • Show User Guide Button - Determines if the User Guide button is displayed.
  • Show Reports Button - Determines if the Reports Button is displayed - 3 states:
    • Solid - Indeterminate; No transfer has occurred. Program determines if button should be displayed.
    • Checked - Always show reports button.
    • Unchecked (blank) - Never show the reports button.

Suppress - Options to suppress certain items:

  • Message Boxes - Auto close any message boxes so program can run silently.
  • Create Transfer File - Auto click the Create Transfer File button.
  • File Based Unload Dialogs - Don't display customization dialogs and accept the default values.
  • Transfer Progress Page - Auto click Next on progress dialog for network and cable transfers.
  • Profile Migrator Page - Auto click Next on the Profile Migrator User Mapping screen.
  • Transfer Everything Summary Screen - Auto close the Transfer Everything Summary screen.
  • Download Manager - Auto click Next on the Download Manager screen.
  • Serial Number in About Screen - Hide serial number info in the About box.

Welcome

This screen welcomes the user to the migration.

Automatically Click Advanced Options - Automatically select the Advanced Options link and proceed to the Advanced Options screen.

Automatically Click Transfer Between PCs - Automatically select the Transfer Between PCs button and proceed to the next screen.

License

By pre-setting the information on this page, Transfer MyPC will automatically activate itself without prompting the user for information. You will normally enter your multiple license serial number on this page. Be aware that anyone using this policy file will be able to migrate using your serial number, and so be careful about the distribution of this file.

If the target computer will not have Internet access, you can pre-register the migration here. If you do that, Policy Manager will validate the serial number and use one of the licenses on it, storing a Validation Code in the policy file. It is important to understand that the license will be used up even if you do not perform the migration, and so you should be cautious before using this feature.

  • Username - Enter the username used for activation.
  • Serial Number - Enter the serial number to be used for activation.
  • Is Serial Number Visible - Determine if the Serial Number and the Change Serial Number link is displayed on other pages.

Both PCs

Is Eula Accepted - Choose whether to accept the Laplink EULA in advance - 3 States:

  • Solid - Eula has been not been displayed.
  • Checked - Eula is accepted.
  • Unchecked (blank) - Eula is not accepted.

Advanced Options

Buttons Selected - Allows you to preselect one of the buttons

  • Transfer Between PCs: A synchronous transfer through a connection (network, crossover Ethernet or Laplink USB cable).
  • File Based Transfer: Uses a Transfer File, created from the data on the source machine. The file is stored on an internal drive or on external media.
  • Image and Drive Assistant: A transfer from a mounted image of the source machine.
  • Profile Migrator: A transfer of data between two user profiles on the same machine. Transfer MyPC supports transfers for Azure Active Directory users, local Active Directory users, and local non-domain users.

Hide Transfer Between PCs Button - Won't display the Transfer Between PCs button.

Hide Files Based Transfer Button - Won't display the Files Based Transfer button.

Hide Image and Drive Assistant Button - Won't display the Image and Drive Assistant button.

Hide Profile Migrator Button - Won't display the Profile Migrator button

Find PC

Recorded PC Name - If you previously ran a transfer and chose to record it, this box will display the Target machine name from that transfer.

PC Mapping - Define machine pairs to allow Transfer MyPC to connect to target computers based on the name of the source computer. The Import button allows the machine pairs to be defined in a simple csv file, where each pair is on a line separated by a comma.

Analyze PC

Do Custom Transfer - Automatically select the Custom Transfer Link, which will then provide the option to select the type of transfer.

Custom Transfer

Option Selected - Select the type of transfer. If None is selected, then the user will be shown the four listed options.

  • Standard: Transfer applications, files, and settings using the defaults.
  • Files and Settings: Transfers only files and settings using the defaults, and no applications.
  • Files Only: Transfer only files using the defaults, and no applications.
  • Let Me Choose: User will have the option to choose what applications, user accounts, files, and settings transfer.

Note: For the first three options, the transfer will complete using the defaults set in Transfer MyPC, with no option for the user to select specific applications, settings, or files.

Image Assist

If running the transfer with Image and Drive Assistant, pre-select one drive or multiple drives if desired.

Use Single Drive - Transfer MyPC will restore from one image, mounted as a drive.

Multiple Drives - Select I am restoring from multiple images, mounted as drives.

Files Based Transfer

If running a file-based transfer, you can set whether the current machine is the old (source) PC or the new (target) PC.

Select Old Computer - 3 states

  • Solid - indeterminate - The old or new computer determination has not been made.
  • Checked - Make this computer the old computer.
  • Unchecked (blank) - Make this computer the new computer.
  • Let Me Choose: User will have the option to choose what applications, user accounts, files, and settings transfer.

Transfer File - Name of the file to either store or restore the transfer data

Files Based Analyze

Allow Customization - Enables or disables the Customize Transfer File link.

Select Custom Transfer - Selects the Customize Transfer File Link.

Profile Migrator

If transferring between user profiles on the same machine, you can set up source and target user profile pairs for the transfer. If transferring from one domain to another domain, you can also enter the domains as well.

Advanced Modifications

Drive Mapping: During a migration, Transfer MyPC Client matches hard drives on the source and target computers. If a source drive letter does not exist on the target computer, it creates a sub-directory off of drive C for the migrated data. Through a screen in Transfer MyPC Client, the user can view and modify these mappings. Using the options on this tab, you have control over the mappings and over a user's ability to change them.

Options for Mapping Drives:

  • Map a particular drive from the source computer to a particular drive or sub-directory on the target computer.
  • Prevent a particular drive from being transferred at all.

File Filters: The Transfer MyPC Client will normally transfer all files that do not already exist to the target computer. File Filters allows the user to choose files, as specified by a wildcard pattern, which should not migrate. This policy page lets you specify masks of files that should not migrate.

Files that you may not want to migrate could include:

  • Temporary files (e.g. *.tmp)
  • Backup files (e.g. *.bak)
  • Obsolete data files (e.g.OldProg.mdb)

Application Options

This allows you to control applications that may have been defined when a recorded policy is used. Normally application control is done as part of the Engine Policy pages.

Transfer Summary

Each Button can be shown (checked) or suppressed (unchecked)

Documents

The Transfer MyPC Client will normally transfer all files and all directories (other than temporary directories) to the corresponding location on the target computer. Transfer MyPC never overwrites files that already exist on the new computer.

On this tab, you can preset the full directory or file path of those directories or files that should be transferred to a different location than the default. You can also preset directories or files to not transfer.

User Selection

During a migration, Transfer MyPC Client matches user accounts on each computer, and it creates any users as necessary on the target computer to correspond to migrated users from the source computer.

On this tab, you can preset how user accounts are transferred by mapping a particular user from the source computer to a particular user on the target computer. Click Add, enter the Source User name, the Target User name, and set the user account type.

Logon Days - This specifies a number of days since last login to use as a filter for which users Transfer MyPC should transfer. For example, if Logon Days="60", Transfer MyPC will only transfer users that have logged on in the last 60 days. If the number that is specified is "0", which is the default, there is no login restriction.

Transfer Complete

Restart PC: Leave this checked if you want the target PC to restart after finishing the transfer.

Engine Tabs

Settings

Use this page to specify miscellaneous settings.

Compress Others: If checked, settings for the transfer (moving journal and snapshot files) are compressed when they are saved.

Compress Van: If checked, the transfer file (moving van) is compressed when it is saved.

Rename MAPI: If checked, Transfer MyPC will automatically rename Outlook data files and profiles that are migrated.

Connection

Use this page to configure or restrict the connection methods that are used.

Network

  • Enabled: Enables the network connection method, including the Laplink Ethernet Cable.

File

  • Enabled: Enables the file connection method.
  • Show Delete option on Finished Page: Allow Transfer MyPC to provide option to delete Transfer File on Finish
  • Destination
    • Local/Network File : Save Transfer File to local or shared volume
    • Cloud Providers (Please contact your account representative for help setting up the following Cloud Providers)
      • Azure, Save Transfer File to Azure BLOB/Object Storage
      • AWS, Save Transfer File to AWS BLOB/Object Storage
      • Google, Save Transfer File to Google BLOB/Object Storage
  • Encrypt Transfer File: If checked, Transfer File will be encrypted.
  • Require Van Password: If checked, a password will be required before unloading the Transfer File (moving van).
  • Allow User to Modify: If checked, the user will be able to change the password.
  • Van Password: The password for unloading the Transfer File (moving van).
  • Span Multiple Files: Breaks the transfer file up into multiple files. Useful when saving to removable media.
  • Prompt When Spanning Multiple Files: If checked, the user will be notified between files during spanning.
  • Span File Size: This specifies the span size, the size that the transfer file is broken up into. The value is a number followed optionally with "B", "K", "M", or "G" to specify units of bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, or gigabytes. If no letter is specified, the units are bytes.

USB

  • Enabled: Enables the USB connection method.

Laplink Ethernet Cable

  • Enabled: Enables the USB connection method.

Reports

Use this page to specify which reports should be automatically generated at the end of a transfer. All reports will be generated in the Reports Directory (absolute or relative to the Transfer MyPC client) unless the report specifies an absolute directory path.

Format: Specifies the format of the reports.

Encoding: Specifies how the text is output in the reports.

Directory: Specifies the default directory for reports on disk. This can be an absolute directory name or relative to the Transfer MyPC Client directory.

Detail Reports

  • Detail Type: Specifies the type of detail report to generate.
  • File Name: Specifies the file name of the report, absolute or relative to the Reports directory.
  • Append: Specifies whether the file is appended to an existing file or created.
  • Exceptions Only: Specifies if this should be the "exceptions only" version of the report. Each report has a shorter version available which contains, for example, only the failed items or only the created users, which are considered the exceptions and might be of more interest than the full report.

Summary Reports

  • File Name: Specifies the file name of the report, absolute or relative to the Reports directory.
  • Show Components: If checked, the specific components are used instead of the collections of components.
  • Append: Specifies whether the file is appended to an existing file or created.
  • Exceptions Only: Specifies if this should be the "exceptions only" version of the report. Each report has a shorter version available which contains, for example, only the failed items or only the created users, which are considered the exceptions and might be of more interest than the full report.

Configuration

Use this page to specify the location of directories used by Transfer MyPC. Please note that these directories must be valid for the users running Transfer MyPC. Do not specify directories that are specific to individual computers or use mapped drives that are not set up for the end user.

  • Logs Folder: location of the journal and other log files generated during a migration, by default the {Common AppData}\Orlogix\TransferMyPC directory local to the user's machine.
  • Rule Folder: Location of the rule files, by default the Rules sub-directory of Transfer MyPC.
  • App Profiles Folder: Location of the App Profile files, by default the App Profiles sub-directory of Transfer MyPC.
  • Redist Folder: Location of redistributable information, by default the Redist sub-directory of Transfer MyPC.

Note: For most users, the only setting that should be changed is the Logs Folder location

Auto-Run

Use this page to specify other programs to be run after a migration and at certain other times.

Click Add and create the program to be run automatically.

  • Name: specifies a display name for this program. It is used for the Run Once registry value for When ="Login".
  • File: The path to the program to run.
  • Parameters: Specifies command line parameters to pass in when launching the program.
  • Trigger: Specifies the event that triggers the program to run. The choices are:
    • Start: Transfer MyPC starts up and has not yet displayed the Wizard.
    • End: Transfer MyPC is terminating.
    • Success: Transfer MyPC is terminating and has completed a successful transfer.
  • When: Specifies when the program will run, given that the trigger has occurred. The choices are:
    • Immediate: Launch the program directly and wait for it to terminate.
    • Login: Launch the program the next time the specified user logs in. This option is not available if the "Trigger" is "Start".
  • Timeout: Specifies the maximum number of seconds to wait for an "Immediate" launch to complete.

Applications

Use this page to specify applications that should or should not be transferred.

Migrate by Default: Controls whether applications migrate by default. If unchecked, only applications that are specifically requested to migrate in the policy file or interactively requested by the user will transfer to the new computer. This attribute is ignored in a "Files and Settings" migration, where only settings for applications that already exist on the new computer migrate by default.

Migrate Untested Apps: Controls the default selection state for any applications which have no App Profile File, and as such are considered untested. If set to "Same Bitness", it means to migrate untested applications only when going from Win32 to Win32 or Win64 to Win64.

Click Add and enter details about a specific application:

  • Application Id: Specifies the unique ID that identifies the application that this entry refers to. The ID codes correspond to the registry key names under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall key for each application.
  • Application Name: Specifies the name of the application that this entry refers to. The name supports "*" and "?" as wild cards for partial matching.
  • Application Publisher: Specifies the publisher of the application that this entry refers to. The name supports "*" and "?" as wild cards for partial matching. The Id or the Name or the Publisher must be specified to identify what application this entry refers to.
  • Transfer: Specifies whether this application should transfer to the new computer.
  • Allow Modification: Specifies whether the user is allowed to change the selection state of this application.

Pre-registration

Use this page to pre-register transfers for users who will not have Internet access.

Note: To pre-register, you must first enter the license information under the License tab under User Interface.

Alerts

This allows you to request email notification of the completion of a migration. Alerts can be sent to multiple recipients by adding them to the list.

Enter the name, email, and message for either an interactive or non-interactive alert.

Sometimes when a desktop support team is running several Transfer MyPC migrations simultaneously, it is helpful to receive an alert notification for when a migration has finished. This helps save time because the user is no longer required to continually check in on a migration or monitor its progress, as they can simply wait for the email notification.

Rules

Use this tab to specify additional rule files that will be loaded.

Relative paths: If the Rule folder in the Configuration tab is set, the path to the rule file must be relative to that folder. If the Rules folder is not set, the path to the rule file must be relative to the Rules folder in the Transfer MyPC App Directory.

Absolute paths: You can specify an absolute path to the rule file.

Initiating a Migration

The Transfer MyPC Enterprise Client was developed to be a portable install, enabling the application to run directly from an external drive, USB flash drive, or network share. Because of this, the application itself (Transfer MyPC.exe) can be triggered to run from a command line. With a fully configured policy file and Transfer MyPC executing from a command line, the process can be fully automated without the need for any end user interaction.

When running Transfer MyPC from a command line, there is also an opportunity to introduce an additional parameter to the policy file during run time.

Transfer MyPC Command Line Parameters

Transfer MyPC Command Line Parameter (Default Policy File = 'policy.pol' in 'Client Folder')

/policy="{full path to file name}"

This parameter overrides the default policy file.

User-Driven Execution

In instances where users are intermittently connected or remote over slow links, an interactive process may be appropriate, allowing these end users to initiate the process when they are well connected or have received their new laptop. Simple methods like sending the users a program link in email are supported.

Configuration Management Tools

Many organizations use configuration management tools to upgrade their operating systems. They typically do this by remotely rebooting each machine, taking a backup, rebooting to install a base OS, which may have some base applications included and then install any missing applications the user requires. Transfer MyPC is just another task in the process that needs to be inserted at the correct point in the task sequence.

Within the OS upgrade scenario, there are two supported migration methods: using an image or using a file - based migration. If the image of the source machine can be mounted as a drive on the new OS target, then the Transfer MyPC task can be executed after the OS upgrade. When using the file-based method, then Transfer MyPC will be executed on the machine prior to reimaging. After the new OS is installed, Transfer MyPC is executed to migrate the data.

Administrators familiar with Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager, (SCCM) and the User State Migration Tool (USMT) will easily see where Transfer MyPC can replace the tasks of scan state and load state.

Technical Support

Enterprise Support

Unlimited free email support from enterprise.support@orlogix.com

Email support is only availble in English.

Consumer and Business Support

Unlimited free email support from support@orlogix.com

Unlimited free phone support from

European Freephone : 00800 3883 2000
ROI number : +353 61 226 935

Times of Operation
Monday - Friday
(Republic of Ireland public holidays excepted)
Please note that we are also closed on Dec 24th
08:00 - 13:00 open
13:00 - 14:00 closed
14:00 - 16:00 open
14:00 - 15:00 open(Fridays only)
Republic of Ireland Time Zones used
During "Irish Winter Time"
from last Sunday in Oct to last Sunday in Mar
WET/GMT (UTC+0)
and
During "Irish Standard Time"
WEST/BST/IST (UTC+1)

Email and Telephone support is available in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

Customer Feedback

We welcome all feedback to john@orlogix.com

FAQs

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