randolph

well you didn't specify windows 7 or windows 8/8.1, so sorry for the assumption, but it still works the same way.

Best thing to do is get an external hdd and move everything that's important to the hdd. Then once done, simply reformat with windows 7. Transferring all the junk from xp to windows 7 will end up with a cluttered system and it's best to reinstall software that you need and not simply swap from xp to windows 7.

I prefer just to copy all my files, photo's and files to a external drive and export you email and just copy it back to the new computer. Reinstall your programs on the new computer and import your email. A faster way is to connect you old drive to your new computer (if you know how) and copy direct. That is if your old drive is SATA and not IDE as new motherboards do not have IDE connections.

Thanks for the info!!

You will need something to provide you with a few Ethernet ports to hook both computers up at the same time. Get a wireless router and hook your modem into it, then use the extra spots to plug up the computers directly.

*Applications may require re-entry of a license code or re-activating on the new PC. Certain system settings and applications may not be transferred due to their incompatibility with the operating system on the new PC.

Watch out for the issue above. Also, use this method

Be sure to make a system image of your new computer as a backup in case anything goes wrong.

Best of Luck.

TIP: Easy way to move files, use https://www.dropbox.com/ to store everything in the cloud. Then just install all compatible programs onto the new computer manually. Takes time, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing it was done exactly right.

A question for any computer geek out there. I bought a new computer since mine is running Windows XP and is getting old anyway. On the Windows site it says I can transfer all my XP stuff to my new one with a free download of Laplink. My question is how do I hook up both old and new computer to the internet like it says I have to when I only have 1 internet connection. Is there a simple way to do this so I don't lose all my files and such?