We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Program Migration?

M. McGee
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,934
Share

Program migration is the process of moving a computer’s applications and data over to a new system. This process may be as simple as an upgrade from one version of a program to another or as complicated as upgrading to a new operating system that requires a completely new computer. Program migration may involve moving a specific worker, along with all of her data and information, or an entire office from one system to another.

Most computers maintain records of everything that has ever happened to them. They track webpages, opened files and other activities. This is especially common in business systems where computer use policies and practices are particularly important. As a result, changing the operation of a computer’s programs may be trickier than it seems.

If a program migration is on the simple end, it typically just involves moving users from one program to another. The new program needs to have the same basic defaults as the earlier program. This is especially necessary on network systems, where information may open and save in areas outside of the user’s workstation. If the new program is an updated version of the old one, sometimes an individual’s preferences may be added directly to the new program before the user ever accesses it.

More complex program migration requires more work. These types of migrations typically involve massive upgrades, such as new operation systems, new computer hardware or both. If it is just new hardware, it is possible to migrate information through a process called ghosting. One machine is used to make an image. This image is a snapshot of the computer at the exact time the image was made. This image may then be copied onto other computers, making all the systems the same.

Other major program migrations are less simple. This is where the computer’s tendency to keep track of everything comes in handy. Certain areas of specific programs and portions of the computer’s registry are separated from the rest of the system. These areas are imported back into the newer system, restoring functionality that was present on that specific computer. Depending on which portions are copied and moved, this is the way to move a specific person or an entire office.

When a single person is migrated, it is possible to save more personal settings. The registry contains a lot of specific personal information. Backups of the registry are often used when moving a specific individual to a new location. By performing this type of program migration, it is possible for a person to leave one system and move to a new place where the majority of the computer will act just like the old one.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
M. McGee
By M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences. With a background in communication-related fields, he brings strong organizational and interpersonal skills to his writing, ensuring that his work is both informative and engaging.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
M. McGee
M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences....
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-program-migration.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.