Can't get Migwiz to run? Fab's Autobackup to the rescue!

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware

Can't get Migwiz to run? Fab's Autobackup to the rescue!

by Lee Mathews Oct 2nd 2008

I love Windows XP's file and settings transfer tool. It makes backing up customer data prior to a reformat a painless procedure, and I've never had any problems with the app itself. I've forgotten it doesn't automatically grab .pst files, but that's my own damn fault.

But what can you do when Windows won't boot? Running a repair isn't a great option: the setup could run into trouble, and then you're right back where you started.

Fab's Autobackup is a slick, free utility that I wish I'd come across a long, long time ago. It's available as a PE Builder plugin or as portable application.

The portable version is a nice alternative to FST, and it's intelligent enough to gray out options that you don't need to back up - either because the program in question isn't installed or the user's profile doesn't contain any pertinent application data.

It'll also back up and restore all the files FST does (Application Data, Local Settings, Favorites, My Docs, etc.) as well as your Windows and Office activation files. A nice bonus, since it may well spare you the hassle of dealing with Microsoft's lovely automated telephone activation service. The author's site states the activation restore doesn't work anymore, but it has worked for me on a few occasions.

You're also given the option to select custom locations for certain data, 7zip compression, and TCP/IP parameters.

Now that I've told you what it does, I'll get back to the non-booting install. The PE Builder version supports user profiles located somewhere other than a system drive. Grab Bart's PE Builder and add Autobackup to your Windows Preinstall Environment disc, and you'll be able to easily grab profile data from any Windows install on any functional hard drive.

Long days at the workbench can make a guy forget things (like backing up .pst files), so an app like Autobackup is always welcome in my toolkit.

Tags: backup, migration, reformat, xp

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

MyTechieSelf said 9:36AM on 10-02-2008

>> but that's my own damn fault

Hey, what's with the swearing?

Roger, FCD said 1:25PM on 10-02-2008

It's blasphemy, not swearing. :P

Shelley said 11:42AM on 10-02-2008

I am in love with this app. It's going to make my job SO much easier! Thanks for posting it! (And thanks to the fab dude for creating it!) It's progs like this that make me come back for more. Thanks again!

MarukoWu said 5:04PM on 10-02-2008

I'm using this application for about 2 years. I love it, but I hope the author can update it. This release doesn't support Vista and was built several years ago. (before 2006, I think.)

Rob Dunn said 10:04AM on 10-03-2008

Typically the Migration Wizard won't work if you have two different versions of it; one trying to export, the other trying to import.

Just making sure you use the same version saves 90% of the headaches with the files and settings transfer wizard.

Not to minimize Fab's offering, but a helpful tip for the rest of us.

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