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When you install a typical application, additional to copying the software to c:\program files, the install process can also modify the windows information store (registry), extend Windows (add background services and drivers) and carry out other actions specific dependent on your computer type and Windows version. This customisation customization and modification of shared resource during installation makes the installed files non-portable between computers.
To further complicate matters, despite there being some standard places for applications to store their data, they are not observed by many applications. Hence, it is impossible to automate the backup / restore of all your user data.
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This requires more effort initially, but you retain your new operating system with its installed drivers and customizations for your new hardware. We suggest you make an image of your old computer; you can explore the image on your new computer, copying files as you need them. This article explains how to access files from the backup image. All applications, however. will need to be reinstalled.You can also use the Windows Easy Transfer feature to transfer the most common files, email, pictures, and settings. It is available here for Windows XP, Vista and 7 and built into Windows 8 (use the win8 search, search for transfer and follow the wizard).
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