USMT Download: Full Guide to Get User State Migration Tool

Roxanne updated on Dec 04, 2024 to PC Transfer | How-to Articles

Are you looking to streamline user state migration and want to learn about it? Learn how to download the User State Migration Tool (USMT) through this comprehensive guide.

In this guide, EaseUS will lead you through the USMT download and how to use this tool. In addition, we also collected the best alternative tool for the user state migration tool.

USMT plays a crucial role in facilitating the seamless transition of user data between PCs, and technical professionals highly praise this renowned tool in data migration in PC freshness. However, it's not a user-friendly PC data transfer software or tool for Windows beginners and non-technical owners.

Highlight: If you're a beginner or prefer avoiding the complexity of USMT, we recommend using EaseUS Todo PCTrans - a beginner-level data migration tool as a perfect USMT alternative to executing seamless and efficient data migration.

Also, feel free to share this page online to help more of your friends who are looking for official access to download USMT or its alternative to migrating data to a new PC:

 

USMT Download with Use User State Migration Tool How-To Guide

Microsoft's User State Migration Tool (USMT) is a command line utility developed by Microsoft that allows users comfortable with scripting languages to transfer files and settings between Windows PCs (by Wikipedia).  It is beneficial during OS upgrades and automated, high-volume deployment of files and settings. It's good to understand that USMT helps migrating 32-bit to 64-bit systems but not 64-bit to 32-bit.

#1. How to Download and Install USMT

Step 1. Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit. Ensure you pick the version compatible with your operating system.

Official download site: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/get-started/adk-install

Step 2. Install it on your source computer. Run the installer, click Install to continue, and complete the installation by following the on-screen instructions.

#2. How to Use the USMT ScanState Tool to Back Up Data

Note: Close all applications before using the USMT Windows 10 tool to ensure successful migration of specified files.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2. Run the below Scanstate command on the source computer to collect files and settings. You must specify all of the .xml files you want to migrate.

  • scanstate \\server\migration\mystore /config:config.xml /i:migdocs.xml /i:migapp.xml /v:13 /l:scan.log

Restore the Files and Settings

Step 1. Install the OS (operating system) on the destination computer.

Step 2. Install all applications on the source computer. While not mandatory, installing the applications on the destination computer beforehand is advisable to preserve settings during the user state restoration.

Tip: Ensure applications on the destination computer match the versions on the source computer. The User State Migration tool won't permit restoring files and settings between different versions.

Step 3. Close all apps and open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 4. Type the following LoadState command.

  • loadstate \\server\migration\mystore /config:config.xml /i:migdocs.xml /i:migapp.xml /v:13 /l:load.log

Upon completing all steps, you've successfully transferred files to another computer using the USMT Windows 7 to Windows 10 tool. You can exit the command window. Note that some settings will only take effect upon your next log-on. Share this page with users who may need some help in migrating the user state:

 

Best User State Migration Tool Alternative

The User State Migration Tool (USMT) serves its purpose but can be challenging for users without technical experience. For a more user-friendly and intuitive solution, consider a third-party PC data transfer tool. EaseUS Todo PCTrans is a robust tool that allows Windows easy transfer for your entire PC environment, including apps, files, folders, and system settings.

It simplifies data transfer between multiple devices with its intuitive interface, making it accessible for users seeking straightforward solutions. Follow the steps here to achieve your migration goals effortlessly:

Step 1. Set Up the Old PC

  • First, install and launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans and select Data Transfer on the left panel of the main interface.

  • Select "Transfer Directly" and click "Next" to continue. 

Step 2. Set Up the New PC

  • Download and launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans on the new computer; select "This is New PC" and click "Next".

  • Select "Transfer directly" and click "Next" to continue. 
  • Select "Network" and click Next to continue. This will automatically scan the old PC. (Make sure the two PCs are connected to the same LAN.)

  • Select the target PC and click Connect. Then, it will take some time to scan and analyze the data in old PC.

Step 3. Select the Files to Transfer

  • Finally, on the new PC, select the Files tab, select the files you need to transfer. Then, click "Transfer" to start.

Features of EaseUS Todo PCTrans

Install this versatile data transfer tool on your computer and enjoy its advantages:

USMT - User State Migration Tool Overview (Pros and Cons)

In this part, you'll learn:

  • What is USMT used for?
  • Where does USMT install?
  • What are the benefits and limitations of USMT?

What is USMT? USMT, also named as User State Migration Tool, enables the transfer of various files, including selected user accounts, files and folders, email messages, contacts and settings, photos, music, videos, Windows settings, program data files, and internet settings. As organizations evolve and technology advances, the need to migrate user states efficiently becomes increasingly essential. The USMT emerges as a critical solution, allowing administrators to transfer user profiles, settings, and data with precision.

  • License: Proprietary commercial software
  • OS: Windows operating systems
  • Edition: version 5.0

Where does USMT install? The User State Migration Tool is installed in the: C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools|USMT\<architecture> path by default.

Here is a list of common migration scenarios and the pros and cons that most Windows owners would pride and judge in User State Migration Tool:

01

Scenarios supported by USMT

  • PC-refresh: Offline or online via Windows PC, a hard-link migration store, or Windows.old folder
  • PC-replacement: Offline migration or manual network migraiton
02

Benefits (Pros) of USMT👍🏻

  • Secure migration for user accounts, system and application settings.
  • Low-cost of deploying Windows by preserving user state.
  • Reduce end-user downtime.
  • Low help-desk calls.
  • High employee sanctification for migration.
03

Limitations (Cons) of USMT👎🏻

  • Requires end-user interaction
  • Command interface, not for beginners
  • Requires machine-by-machine customization

Conclusion

Mastering tools like the User State Migration Tool (USMT) is undeniably valuable in the dynamic landscape of user state migration. The comprehensive guide has walked you through the intricacies of downloading and using USMT, offering a meticulous step-by-step approach for efficient data migration. 

However, recognizing users' challenges, especially those without extensive technical experience, we highly recommend a compelling alternative – EaseUS Todo PCTrans. This user-friendly tool simplifies and enhances migration with an intuitive interface, application compatibility, and bidirectional migration support. Whether you are a novice seeking simplicity or a seasoned professional looking for enhanced functionality, this robust tool is poised to elevate your data migration experience.

FAQs About USMT Download

You may find appropriate answers from the following FAQs if you have any queries about the topic.

1. Is the user state migration tool free or not?

Yes, the User State Migration Tool (USMT) is free. It is contained in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK). And users can download it from the official Microsoft website.

2. Where does the user state that the migration tool will be installed?

USMT doesn't require its own installation. Instead, it resides within the ADK installation directory. By default, USMT is installed in the following folder:

C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\USMT\Note is x86 or amd64

3. Can USMT migrate device drivers?

It primarily transfers user profiles, settings, files, and application data. Device drivers are typically hardware-specific, and attempting to migrate them can lead to compatibility issues on the new machine. After migration, it's best to manually install the latest drivers compatible with your new PC's hardware.