Zinstall vs USMT

Microsoft User State Migration Tool (USMT) is a nice free tool that covers some of the common migration scenarios. If your organization has enough resources to spare, does not mind spending a few month on building a proper USMT transition environment, and the transfers needed are non-personalized and standardized, USMT will probably do the job.

If so, when is Zinstall more applicable?

• When you do not have the resources or time to spend several month on preparation, development and training
• When you prefer your tool to be simple to use, even by less-qualified operators
• When you need to transfer personalized, diverse workstations
• When some transfers are cross-Windows version (i.e., Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows 7 to Windows 8), cross-hardware make and model (i.e., HP to Dell)
• When you need a tool that is both automatic and highly-configurable when needed

Here is what you gain with Zinstall:

• Usable immediately, out of the box - no deployment, scripting, training required
• Portable , remotely executable , centrally executable, including command-line interface
• Fully automatic by default, yet fully configurable - allows to exclude/include specific applications, folders, files, profiles, even registry entries
• Transfers it all: files, profiles, settings, personalization, even applications
• Supports program-less transfer - if you have your application image set, and are looking for a a way to transfer all personalization for each user
• Supports various migration scenarios: over the network , from a hard drive , via shared storage , via external storage , in-place upgrades
• Allows migration to VDI, to Cloud, P2V, V2V and V2P
• Made for IT tech use - used by service providers, PC techs, OEMs, and many, many businesses worldwide
• Flexible licensing and activation structure

If your project is complex enough to make you think of USMT, you can probably get it done faster, cheaper ( see cost analysis here ) and more efficiently using Zinstall.

You can also check out the user guide for more scenarios and options.

Contact us , and we'll be glad to assist, provide an evaluation copy and discuss options for getting your migration project done.

Click here to contact us and get your evaluation copy today!