Free LapLink software

We received this today:

Laplink Software, Inc. today announced it will release a new product, PCmover Windows 8 Beta Assistant, on January 5, 2012. Based on Laplink's top-selling migration product, PCmover Windows 8 Beta Assistant will automatically move all files, settings, user accounts and much more - even applications - from Windows 7 to Windows 8, making it dramatically easier to perform efficient and comprehensive testing of Windows 8.

PCmover Windows 8 Beta Assistant will be available at www.laplink.com and can be used to perform an unlimited number of migrations at no charge prior to July 2012.

“Here at Laplink, we use PCmover to facilitate testing Windows 8,” said Laplink CTO Jack Wilson. “PCmover allows us to automatically provision several different Windows 8 VMs (virtual machines) complete with a unique arrangement of development tools, debug software, SDKs, and environmental variables. Then after PCmover sets up the VMs, we create snapshots of each so we can easily restore to that particular state as needed. By using PCmover to provision the initial Windows 8 VMs, we literally save hundreds of hours. That’s where the idea of offering PCmover to others who are or will be testing Windows 8. I strongly recommend anyone testing Windows 8 get their free copy of PCmover and see how much time they can save.”

PCmover Windows 8 Beta Assistant will work with the Windows 8 Developer Preview as well as all of the upcoming Beta releases and RC (release candidate) builds. The source PC must be running Windows 7 (64-bit) and the new PC must be running Windows 8 (64-bit); either or both PCs can be physical or virtual machines.
“PCmover is a ‘Day Zero’ utility,” explained Neil Minetto, Laplink’s Director of Marketing. “You want to have it downloaded and ready to use before you set up a Windows 8 environment, not a week or two afterwards. That’s why we encourage everyone to download PCmover Windows 8 Beta Assistant right away.”

PCmover is the number one best selling migration software in the world and it is the only software that moves applications (in addition to files, settings, and user profiles) from an old PC to a new one.

When asked why Laplink was offering this software for free, Minetto was blunt. “We could probably charge for this and do pretty well so far as short term revenue,” he admitted. “But more importantly, we want to do what we can to support the Windows ecosystem. And, if users have a great experience with PCmover when testing Windows 8, then Laplink will benefit in the future when we release our official Windows 8 version of PCmover.”

PCmover features an easy-to-use wizard to set up the migration process. Just install PCmover on the source and destination PC, connect the PCs (e.g., across a network) and follow the directions. For more complicated scenarios, Laplink provides a comprehensive User Guide.

Laplink currently offers several editions of PCmover based on end-user needs, from Home to Professional to Enterprise which provides IT departments with a set of tools to easily customize the entire migration process and experience.

“Anyone testing Windows 8 probably wants to transfer over a full copy of their existing environment,” continued Minetto. “PCmover will transfer all user profiles, settings, data files, Internet favorites, and much more including applications. No need to re-download applications and no need to find old CDs or serial numbers. It’s fully selective so you can choose what to transfer. And once you define the migration, PCmover automatically does the rest saving you significant time and hassle!”

PCmover does not remove anything from the source (old) PC so there is no risk to a user’s current environment; and unlike imaging tools, it does not affect the operating system on the destination PC, making it the perfect companion to help test Windows 8.

Those interested in downloading the free PCmover Windows 8 Beta Assistant can do so here. More information about PCmover can be found at www.laplink.com. PCmover (for migrations to Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows) is available for sale at www.laplink.com or at most major software retailers in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.