Belkin Windows Easy Transfer Cable automatically transfers files for you.

Well, I did it! I got a new computer. I was about due. Because I use my laptop for work, I’m on it literally all day long five to six days a week. I go through them about every three years like clockwork. While it’s exciting to get a new computer, I always dread (with a capital UGH!) the process of switching everything over from the old to the new.

Forget the installation of all the software. That’s the easy part. It’s recalibrating all my settings and transferring flash stick after flash stick full of files and folders that drives me nuts. Something always seems to go missing in action.

But this year, I’ve been hearing a new buzzword: Windows Easy Transfer Cable. So, when the time came, I got one to see if it really would make the process easier.

Pros

Mine is a Belkin Easy Transfer Cable and it was very simple to set up. Pop the software CD into the hard drive of the old laptop and let it do its thing. Click open the Windows Easy Transfer utility on the new computer. Plug the cable into both PCs and tell it to sync up.

Once it tells you that the computers can see each other, it will begin the process of selecting files to be transferred. I don’t know about other brands, but with the Belkin Easy Transfer Cable you have final say before anything is moved. If you have preferences about what goes and what stays, click the “Advanced” button and you can select folders/files down to the individual file level. Very handy!

Tell it you’re ready to move files and away it goes! Mine took about 45 minutes to complete. Meanwhile, I was free to cook dinner.

Cons

The Windows Easy Transfer utility (which is built into Vista and Windows 7) won’t allow programs or applications to be moved due to copyright violations. This utility will transfer files, folders, settings, address books, etc., with the use of a transfer cable.

The system is not perfect. For instance, the settings for my web design program were not transferred via the cable. Not sure why. Neither were the Quickbooks settings. I wondered if the easy transfer utility was only good for Microsoft programs, but all my FireFox browser settings, bookmarks and RSS feeds were transferred. FireFox is not a Microsoft product. I didn’t think until I was writing this review that I might be able to re-run the process and pick up any files/settings that didn’t get transferred the first go ’round. I’ll have to try that.

Even excluding the fact that some files and settings that didn’t make the leap, it still saved me hours with the ones that were transferred automatically.

The Belkin Easy Transfer Cable is a little pricy if you get it from Belkin for $40 plus shipping. I’ve seen them elsewhere online for anywhere from $23-$43 plus shipping. But the cheapest place I’ve found them was Amazon.com for $20.98. It’s eligible for free shipping with your $25 purchase so order the easy transfer cable when you also need an extra USB cable for a printer, extra SIM card for your digital camera or whatnot and you’ll save some extra money.

NOTES:

1. It may take a few times for the computers to sync. If you get an error message saying your computers aren’t communicating, click the “try again” button. It took mine twice to see each other.

2. You must install your software programs before going through the Windows Easy Transfer utility process in order for it to work as it should so be sure to do that first.

3. Easy transfer cables are available for Vista and Windows 7. You’ll want to choose the cable that matches up with the computer that has the newest version of Windows. If you have a Vista computer and you’ll be moving up to a computer with Windows 7, get a Windows 7 easy transfer cable. If your current computer has XP and you’re going to Vista, get a cable for Vista, etc.

Recommended? Yes

Have you used the Belkin Easy Transfer Cable? Tell us about your experience.

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