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The siren song of a new PC has lured many to big box stores and online retailers... only to have cold feet to set in once the buyer realizes he's going to have to not just copy over all his data, but reinstall all his apps on the new machine, too. Well, there goes the weekend. The venerable Laplink has launched what might be its most useful application ever: PCmover. While myriad tools (including Microsoft's own Windows Easy Transfer) lets you move data files and program settings from old PC to new, PCmover actually copies whole applications. With minor exceptions, everything was reinstalled right where it was before when we tried it, right down to the Quick Launch bar, anti-virus settings, and registration information. The copying ability is uncannily apt, even automatically disabling applications that aren't compatible with your new PC (such as custom software for peripherals like media readers and optical drives). We copied about 50 applications and had trouble finding even minor bugs after they were reinstalled; only one app didn't work perfectly after the copy. Over USB, the 18GB transfer was done in less than two hours. Think of the $60 price as an "upgrade tax." We'll gladly pay it. —Christopher Null
WIRED A massive time saver vs. reinstalling apps one by one. Copies everything, including multiple user accounts, from Vista down to Windows 95. Works over network, USB Laplink cable (highly recommended), or even optical media sneakernet.
TIRED Studded with spammy come-ons for other applications (RegistryBooster, RoboForm, etc.). One serial number lets you make a single transfer only.
$60 (with USB cable), laplink.com
