How to save Registry settings when Migrating to new notebook

I may be migrating to a new Notebook and was curious about suggested ways to copy/move all my settings from the old Notebook's Windows XP Pro registry to the new one with the same version of Windows.

Considering the new Notebook will already have Windows registered and installed, I will want to use the new Windows registration key that comes with the new Notebook, so a full copy may not work, unless I can re-register with the new key.

Thanks!

 

I don't really think you want to take the complete registry with you, there will be tons of references to stuff that isn't relevant to your new machine, like installed applications.

 

Agree! You defiantly don't want to try that, two different machines, two different registries.

Also registered programs like Photoshop will ask to be re-registered and validated.

 

Actually, this IS exactly what I want to do. The "old" NB is only 3 months old, and the new one is an upgrade from the same company, so although granted there will be a few technical differences in the drivers, the installed software will be the same.

My intent here is to mirror the old machine's installed application settings. Can I ghost the old machine's HD, XP Pro Windows, and Registry, then copy it to the new machine. Then re-install the new copy Windows and the Drivers from the Manufactures Recovery DVD, change the Reg-key from the old one to the new one, thus keeping the old application settings? Copying all folders will be the easy part using an external USB HD.

I'm also considering something along the lines of exporting the entire Registry to a text file and putting it on the External HD. Then I can import the sections I need.

Otherwise, I could EXPORT each app's settings...a risky and unreliable procedure considering all the mysterious Registry keys.... This may provide a clue why I hate MS's draconian Registry more than any other creation MS has ever brought forth. In the old days (Yes, Yes, I know the old days are gone for good) I could copy each application's folder, INI file, and any associated sections in the WIN.INI file and that would take care of it.

I realize this sounds like a pain, but the alternative will be to re-install a dozen apps, and try to remember all the settings I have arrived at over the past three months. I have not done something like this before so I am asking for advice....Thanks

 

Granted, I'm sure you made up your mind...

Three months is nothing for a reinstall. Many people, myself included, wait 6months to a year between reformats...some don't do it until they have to. If you write down some settings that are hard to remember you'll be fine.

That is a much better solution, in my opinion, because you will avoid the NUMEROUS headaches you will most likely go through when transplanting registries.