AppMigrate: a free open source tool that migrates your app settings

[Costello]

On this slow news day, I present to you a new Windows program that I have been working on recently. AppMigrate is a tool that backs up settings of your applications on one PC, and restores them on another. Or you can just use it to back up your settings, transfer them over the Internet, and anything else you can think of.

As it turns out, I have had to change computers twice over the past month (well actually the first time was a Windows reinstall; then I also got a new computer). Which means I have had to reinstall and reconfigure all my applications twice. This literally took ages! I looked around for a solution to easily backup all my application settings, but I couldn't find anything satisfying. Windows Backup does a few things, but it's mostly for transferring documents and whatnot. As a result I have created a simple program that exports settings from the applications installed on your system, and then allows you to restore these settings later.

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AppMigrate currently supports over 100 applications including the most popular ones. In fact, the catalog of supported applications is open and user-contributed. Devin has been helping me out and already added over 50 apps. This first version has limitations that prevents us from adding certain applications (that store their settings in non standard ways) but if there enough demand, a new version will come to life and come with additional features.

If you are interested in this tool, head over to the official website for more information
Download the AppMigrate installer

 

[Coto]

hmm I wish this was developed 10 years ago. Good idea costello

 

[Snailface]

Should have announced a homebrew bounty Costello.
Just stop and wonder who might have won.

 

[chyyran]

Nice. This will be useful when I get my new laptop

 

[RPG_Lover]

I sometimes have to reinstall windows for people with various computer problems. I believe this will help me a lot. Thank you!

 

[Costello]

another site that will come in quite handy:
https://ninite.com/
the fastest way to reinstall or reconfigure a PC: Ninite+AppMigrate

 

[p1ngpong]

What a good great idea, thank you Costy! ;O;

 

[Metoroid0]

Oh my god! you smart smart boy! Now these are things people should really make.

Good work, i will try it ^w^

 

[filfat]

just a nerdy question though, which langue is it coded in?

 

[T-hug]

Nice work m8 this will be extremely useful for me as I am repairing and resetting PCs and Laptops on a weekly basis. This should help me get them back up and running a bit quicker.
Will definitely look at adding some apps.

 

[tj_cool]

just a nerdy question though, which langue is it coded in?

C# (requires .NET)

The source is available btw: https://github.com/C-Nedelcu/appmigrate

 

[filfat]

C# (requires .NET)

The source is available btw: https://github.com/C-Nedelcu/appmigrate

well, im out of here

EDIT: don't like C# XD

 

[petspeed]

Great idea, thanks!

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Costello
This seems incredibly useful, maybe add an option to copy selective directories from appdata for apps that are not supported yet?

 

[Fishaman P]

Oh my FSM, this is the best thing I never knew I wanted. I don't mind reinstalling Windows, but re-configuring all my apps is tedious.
This is the perfect solution! Even my favorite Auslogics Disk Defrag is on there!

 

[mary1517]

Wow, now that's something I really wish I had in the past. Good timing! I'm just about to reinstall my PC to a new HDD. Thanks for this, your awesome.

 

[zachtheninja]

NIce. This will be very useful.

 

[Mario92]

I usually just copy/paste "appdata" folder (or "home" on linux) and every setting and save data is usually present. I guess this is cleaner way to do things when every little program settings aren't moved over. Maybe adding direct way to download backed up programs so it'll be only tool needed when freshly installing OS.

 

[Costello]

I usually just copy/paste "appdata" folder (or "home" on linux) and every setting and save data is usually present. I guess this is cleaner way to do things when every little program settings aren't moved over. Maybe adding direct way to download backed up programs so it'll be only tool needed when freshly installing OS.

Copying the AppData folder is a good idea; however you might be copying plenty of useless stuff in the process; and potentially keeping your PC dirty.
Also, that doesn't include the registry settings (at the moment 50% of the apps in the AppMigrate database use registry to store settings).
You could theoretically export and import the whole "HKCU" branch and restore it, but I think that might be risky too...

 

[unz]

Is AppMigrate capable of transferring settings between 32bit and 64bit systems?