Laplink PCmover Review

 

I recently took some time to review Laplink’s PCmover software. For this review I used the professional version as it really provides much more flexibility. I had two scenarios ready for such a program. First a clean installed Windows 7 machine with a Intel Core i7, this machine is the one I use primarily for testing and gaming. The other machine also Windows 7 but with an AMD Phenom x6 that I use for everyday entertainment, communication, and everything else in between. However this hard drive on this machine has gone through many iterations of Windows all the way from Windows XP to Vista to Windows 7, thus having some extra clutter from the various upgrades. When I upgraded to the Phenom x6 processor while still fast, I wasn’t getting all the performance I wanted. So first we transferred a few programs from AMD rig 1 to Intel rig 2. Next we made a larger moving file and went from AMD rig 1 to a fresh install of Windows 7 on the same AMD rig 1.

But before we dig too deep into the details of results, let’s take a look at what PCmover can do. Primarily PCmover is designed to move your programs, files and settings to a new machine. And to note that PCmover is the only solution that can move your programs with using the pesky virtual machine. PCmover comes in 6 flavors to fit your needs. Those include Upgrade Assistant, Image Assistant, Home, Netbook Edition, Professional, and the Business/Enterprise edition. To make things easier here is a Screen clip from Laplink’s website which tells us what is included in each version.

As you can see they have a version that will work for just about anyone. And as mention before, I am using the professional version which has everything I needed for this endeavor. One thing I truly like is the ability to select which applications I would like to transfer.

For the first test I ran PCmover on AMD rig 1 and told it to only save a moving file with a few selected applications which included some that I no longer have the ability to reinstall. Thus we went through the guided process of selecting applications, drives, and folders to migrate. Then we select the method of moving, I chose an external hard drive. You can also do so over a network or via a USB transfer cable. The process of creating the moving file took several hours to complete, estimating it to complete in 9 hours. I left for work and when I got home it was done, easy enough and I had a moving file that was just over 400GB. Maybe I should selected fewer applications? Nonetheless, I then took that hard drive to the Intel Rig 1. After installing the software and selecting the moving file I found it only took a mere 4 hours to migrate in. Not bad at all for 400GB. No errors, no issues, everything worked like a charm.

Now it was time to take a shot on a reinstall of Windows 7 on AMD rig 1.  First thing was to create a new moving file with everything I would need. This I would focus on the applications and Windows settings and forego the files. All my files are on a separate hard drive and I have Windows 7 Library pointing towards those hard drives. After selecting the applications, I made sure to only select my C: drive as I didn’t need all those extra files that won’t be deleted when I reinstall Windows. When I got to option to select User Accounts, I was surprised to see it picked up some older accounts from the Vista and XP days that were no longer active in Windows 7. Thus I deselected them and made sure only my primary account was selected. This time the saving of the moving file took roughly 6 hours as I was saving to a USB 3.0 hard drive while I slept and the file size was closer to 600GB.

Next morning I reinstalled Windows and then updated all drivers before installing PCmover to migrate those applications back over. Now I should point out that PCmover does give an option to scan your ‘new’ PC so it can compare it to the moving file and only move what is not there, however this would have to be done before created the moving file. But in this case in was unnecessary. Upon telling PCmover to move the moving file and migrate my applications back, I got a warning message that there was not enough free space on drive D: which was funny I didn’t select drive D: as it had all my files. Most likely, PCmover detected the links from the Windows Libraries and thought they were part of Drive C: or something along those lines. Anyway, I told it to continue anyway and voilà about 6 hours later I had my computer back up and running with better performance!

In conclusion, I found PCmover very easy to use and very customizable to fit my needs. And despite one minor warning message I can safely recommend PCmover for those either getting a new PC or reinstalling like me. Just be prepared to have some patience. One thing I found ever slightly annoying is that PCmover will give a screen at conclusion to recommend some additional products. A good marketing strategy but all I wanted was to simply get back to computing and maybe watching some cartoons on YouTube! I personally think this is as easy to use as it is comprehensive. And if your going to need it, spend a few extra bucks and get the Professional version. (Just be sure to save a few dollars to donate to Extra Life below, it’s for the kids in need.)