Migrate User Settings

You can capture the user profiles and settings of a system before the reimaging process begins.


Migrate user settings in deploy to computer wizard

The Migrate User Settings capability captures multiple user profile directories from a system about to be reimaged. In most cases, the profile data stays on the migrated system. However, if the system does not have sufficient disk space to duplicate the migrated profiles, the data might overflow to a "USM Overflow Location" (SMB) and be restored to the system after the image task is complete. To avoid filling up your available storage on the specified USM Overflow location, perform multiple migrations.

The users defined on the computer that you are reimaging and that do not already exist in the image that you are deploying, are migrated and set to disabled on the reimaged computer. You must enable them again by using the Computer Management option of the Administrative tools. Alternatively, if you want the migrated users to be enabled during the deployment process, follow these steps:
  1. In the Image Library, select the image you want to deploy and click Deploy to Computer
  2. In the Deploy Image to Computer pane expand the Options section
  3. Select the Manual tab and scroll to USM Settings
  4. Modify the value of the LoadStateArgs parameter as follows:
    LoadStateArgs=/lac /lae
    
The restored users will have an empty password which must be changed at first logon.

Note that by adding these values in the LoadStateArgs parameter, the restored users that were disabled in the source operating system (and that do not already exist in the image you are deploying) will be enabled in the final operating system. For more information about editing parameter values for capturing (ScanStateArgs) and restoring (LoadStateArgs) user settings in the Manual tab, see the documentation at the following links: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749015%28v=ws.10%29.aspx (ScanState) and http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766226%28v=ws.10%29.aspx (LoadState).

Note:

You cannot migrate user settings for server class operating systems. When you select server class operating systems, this option is disabled.

User State Migration behavior and capabilities might vary based on the original operating system, new operating system, or amount of storage space.

From / To Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 Windows 11
Windows 7 Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Windows 8 Not Supported Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Windows 8.1 Not Supported Not Supported Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Windows 10 Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact

Windows 11 Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported Uses 'hard link' to migrate the profile locally

No disk or network impact