Before reinstalling Windows 10 or before moving to a new PC, many users like to backup user profiles so that they can easily restore user profiles after reinstalling or switching to a new Windows 10 PC.
Unlike Windows 7 and earlier versions, there is no Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 10 to move to transfer your files and settings from one PC to another. However, since it’s possible to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data, many users are not worried about user profiles while reinstalling.
If for any reason, you want to transfer user profiles from one Windows 10/8/7 PC to another Windows 10/8/7 PC, you can use a free tool called Transwiz.
Transwiz to backup and transfer user profiles in Windows 10
Transwiz is a free software for Windows operating system designed to help users transfer user profiles, settings, and data from one Windows PC to another with ease.
The Transwiz program sports a wizard-style interface, which is very straight-forward and easy-to-use even for novice users.
When you backup a user profile using Transwiz, all data and settings are saved in a zip archive, which means you can view backed up data without using Transwiz or any other third-party software as well.
The only catch with Transwiz program is that it can’t back up or transfer a live profile or a profile that is currently being used. That is, for instance, if you have only one user profile on your PC, Transwiz can’t transfer your user profile data.
When you try to move a live profile, you get “The profile is currently in use. To transfer this profile, make sure the user has signed off and then try again” message.
Using Transwiz is reasonably straightforward. Refer to the given below directions to backup and restore user-profiles and settings in Windows 10/8/7.
Backup a user profile using Transwiz
Step 1: Visit this page and download the Transwiz program. Extract the zip file to get the executable. Note that this is a standalone program, meaning that it can be run without installation.
Step 2: Run Transwiz on your PC from where you want to transfer the user profile. Choose I want to transfer data to another computer radio button and then click Next.
Step 3: Select a user profile that you want to backup or transfer. Click the Next button. Note that you can’t back up or transfer a user profile that is being used.
Step 4: Type in a name for your profile and then select a location to save the same. As said before, Transwiz compresses user profile data with default, but if you don’t want to do so, please check the Fast Pack option.
Step 5: Next, you will be asked to enter a password to protect the file containing your user profile data. Set a password and then click Next.
Step 6: The program will begin backing up your user profile data. The backup should be done in a few seconds. Once done, you will see “transfer has been successfully created” message.
To restore a user profile using Transwiz
Step 1: Run Transwiz program and select I have data I want to transfer to this computer option.
Step 2: Browse to the user profile file that you created previously. Click Next.
Step 3: Enter the previously set password to open the backed up user profile file.
Step 4: Select the account name of the user where you want to restore the profile to and then click the Next button to begin to restore the profile.
How to change the location of the user folder in Windows 10 guide might also be of interest to you.
