Transfer files/applicatiion from xp 32 bit to w7 64 bit

[buklau]

Recently I purchased a professional accounting software for my business and it requires me to use at least Windows 7 SP1. All my work computers are still using windows xp 32 bit. I don't mind upgrading to windows 7 64 bit, but then how can I transfer all the installed application on my windows xp 32 bit to windows 7 64 bit? The biggest problem is some of the software I installed on this computer are software from 7-10 years ago, and I bought them online download, so it's impossible for me to reinstall them if I do a fresh re-install since some of the companies went out of business. Any ideas of what I should do?

Thanks

 

[Ketchup]

Some programs don't "have to" be installed. You might try copying the program folder to another machine and see if it will run. Another thing you can try is creating a virtual drive from your xp computer and running the programs inside a vm program, such as vmware player.

 

[buklau]

80% of the program does not allow to be copy over and be able to run it. I can only do a re-install to fix that problem.

My work computers aren't very fast to begin with and when I purchased the business over. They used to be old athlon xp and pentium 4 + IDE hard drives with softwares installed on the hard drive. I tried to ask the previous owner to see if he can find the installation CD, but he was unable to find them. So my only choice was to buy used computers on ebay with IDE/SATA port in it, use clone disk transfer all the file with application from the old IDE drive to the newer SATA drive and windows xp sp3 was installed on it. So my best chance is to find a software that allows me to transfer the current files and application from xp 32 bit to 7 64 bit since the new accounting software only support on windows 7/8 64bit editions. By doing that I have no choice but to do a clean re-install of OS on the current work computers and I will lose all my applications. 25% of the program on the current PC I was able to obtain the installation disk from the owner and 75% I can't, so what should I do now?

Spec (2 computers - upgraded from old athlon xp 2400+)
3ghz E8400 E0
Intel DQ35JO board
4GB DDR2-667 RAM CL4
640GB SATA Hard Drive
512mb 8800 GTS
16x DVD Rom / CDRW
350 watt seasonic 80 plus power supply
Basic 20inch LCD monitor

Spec (Back up workstation - upgraded from old pentium 4 2.2ghz)
2.67 E6700 65nm CPU
4GB DDR2-667 RAM CL4
160GB (2x80GB Raid 0 SATA Drive)
256mb Geforce 6600
52X CD Drive
400 watt corsair cx400 power supply
Basic 19inch LCD monitor

Spec (File Server- upgraded from amd k6 300mhz)
2.4ghz E6400 65nm CPU
3GB DDR2-667 RAM CL4
120GB IDE Hard Drive
256MB Radeon X1300
52X CD Drive
250 watt delta power supply
Basic 19inch LCD monitor

 

[John Connor]

Through my searching I found a program called laplink. http://www.laplink.com/index.php

 

[buklau]

I looked at pc mover from laplink, will this work for the applications and have anyone used it before? I heard program like this can only migrate certain apps, some won't migrate properly. Thanks.

 

[John Connor]

I have no idea. I just found it google searching registry moving. That is pretty much what you need to do along with profile and symbolic links.

It's largely a crapshot to try manually doing it.

 

[cabri]

does the new system require files from or / interaction with the old system?

If direct interaction is not required; share the data files on the XP with the Win7 system

 

[mrjminer]

You could use something like Acronis to do a universal clone of your XP machine, then restore the backup onto a VHD / VM.