Belkin USB Windows 7 Transfer Cable Gets You to 7 with Ease

Belkin has a new Windows 7 USB Transfer Cable that is designed to complement Windows 7's built-in Easy Transfer Utility. The two-ended USB cable plugs into your old Vista or XP computer as well as the new Windows 7 machine. Then you launch the Easy Transfer application shipping with Windows 7 inside "Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools". Once there, you can migrate files, users, bookmarks and emails onto your shiny new rig.

Programs are another problem altogether. Due to compatibility issues that can come up with this major overhaul of the windows OS, programs won't be migrated. However, you will be presented with a report that will provide links to new versions of the software if such are supplied by the vendor. This will likely be hit and miss for fringe software but mainstream software should be readily available. You can pick one up now if you like for $39. Windows 7 isn't officially released until October 22nd. *N.B. If you do plan to upgrade, make sure to check for the status of USB drivers for your favorite gadgets. Windows 7 requires signed drivers that might not exist for any of your unique USB devices.