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Understanding migration XML files

The behavior of a basic User State Migration Tool (USMT) migration can be modified by using XML files. These files provide instructions on where and how the USMT tools should gather and apply files and settings. USMT includes three XML files that can be used to customize a basic migration: the MigDocs.xml and MigUser.xml files, which modify how files are discovered on the source computer, and the MigApps.xml file, which is required in order to migrate supported application settings. Custom XML files and a Config.xml file can be created and edited to further customize the migration.

This article provides an overview of the default and custom migration XML files and includes guidelines for creating and editing a customized version of the MigDocs.xml file. The MigDocs.xml file uses the new GenerateDocPatterns function available in USMT to automatically find user documents on a source computer.

Overview of the Config.xml file

The Config.xml file is the configuration file created by the /genconfig option of the ScanState tool. It can be used to modify which operating-system components USMT migrates. The Config.xml file can be used with other XML files, such as in the following example:

ScanState.exe /i:migapps.xml /i:MigDocs.xml /genconfig:c:\myFolder\Config.xml

When used this way, the Config.xml file tightly controls aspects of the migration, including user profiles, data, and settings, without modifying or creating other XML files. For more information about the Config.xml file, see Customize USMT XML Files and Config.xml File.

Note

When modifying the XML elements in the Config.xml file, set the migrate property on an element to no instead of deleting the element from the file. If the element is deleted instead of setting the property, rules in other XML files can still migrate the component.

Overview of the MigApp.xml file

The MigApp.xml file installed with USMT includes instructions to migrate the settings for the applications listed in What Does USMT Migrate?. In order to migrate application settings, the MigApp.xml file must be included when using the ScanState and LoadState tools by using the /i option. The MigDocs.xml and MigUser.xml files don't migrate application settings. A custom XML file can be created to include additional applications. For more information, see Customize USMT XML Files.

Important

The MigApps.xml file only detects and migrates .pst files that are linked to Microsoft Office Outlook. For more information about migrating .pst files that aren't linked to Outlook, see Sample migration rules for customized versions of XML files.

Overview of the MigDocs.xml file

The MigDocs.xml file uses the new GenerateDocPatterns helper function to create instructions for USMT to migrate files from the source computer, based on the location of the files. The MigDocs.xml file can be used with the ScanState and LoadState tools to perform a more targeted migration than using USMT without XML instructions.

The default MigDocs.xml file migrates the following data:

  • All files on the root of the drive except %WINDIR%, %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %USERS%.

  • All folders in the root directory of all fixed drives. For example: c:\data_mail\*[*].

  • All files from the root of the Profiles folder, except for files in the system profile. For example: c:\users\name[mail.pst].

  • All folders from the root of the Profiles folder, except for the system-profile folders. For example: c:\users\name\new folder\*[*].

  • Standard shared folders:

    • CSIDL_COMMON_DESKTOPDIRECTORY

    • CSIDL_COMMON_FAVORITES

    • CSIDL_COMMON_DOCUMENTS

    • CSIDL_COMMON_MUSIC

    • CSIDL_COMMON_PICTURES

    • CSIDL_COMMON_VIDEO

    • FOLDERID_PublicDownloads

  • Standard user-profile folders for each user:

    • CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS

    • CSIDL_MYPICTURES

    • FOLDERID_OriginalImages

    • CSIDL_MYMUSIC

    • CSIDL_MYVIDEO

    • CSIDL_FAVORITES

    • CSIDL_DESKTOP

    • CSIDL_QUICKLAUNCH

    • FOLDERID_Contacts

    • FOLDERID_Libraries

    • FOLDERID_Downloads

    • FOLDERID_SavedGames

    • FOLDERID_RecordedTV

The default MigDocs.xml file doesn't migrate the following data:

  • Files tagged with both the hidden and system attributes.

  • Files and folders on removable drives.

  • Data from the %WINDIR%, %PROGRAMDATA%, and %PROGRAMFILES% folders.

  • Folders that contain installed applications.

The /genmigxml option can be used with the ScanState tool to review and modify what files are migrated.

Overview of the MigUser.xml file

The MigUser.xml file includes instructions for USMT to migrate user files based on file name extensions. The MigUser.xml file can be used with the ScanState and LoadState tools to perform a more targeted migration than using USMT without XML instructions. The MigUser.xml file gathers all files from the standard user-profile folders, and any files on the computer with the specified file name extensions.

The default MigUser.xml file migrates the following data:

  • All files from the standard user-profile folders, which are described as:

    • CSIDL_MYVIDEO

    • CSIDL_MYMUSIC

    • CSIDL_DESKTOP

    • CSIDL_STARTMENU

    • CSIDL_PERSONAL

    • CSIDL_MYPICTURES

    • CSIDL_FAVORITES

    • CSIDL_QUICK LAUNCH

  • Files with the following extensions:

    .accdb, .ch3, .csv, .dif, .doc*, .dot*, .dqy, .iqy, .mcw, .mdb*, .mpp, .one*, .oqy, .or6, .pot*, .ppa, .pps*, .ppt*, .pre, .pst, .pub, .qdf, .qel, .qph, .qsd, .rqy, .rtf, .scd, .sh3, .slk, .txt, .vl*, .vsd, .wk*, .wpd, .wps, .wq1, .wri, .xl*, .xla, .xlb, .xls*

    Note

    The asterisk (*) stands for zero or more characters.

    Note

    The OpenDocument extensions (*.odt, *.odp, *.ods) that Microsoft Office applications can use aren't migrated by default.

The default MigUser.xml file doesn't migrate the following data:

  • Files tagged with both the Hidden and System attributes.

  • Files and folders on removable drives.

  • Data from the %WINDIR%, %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA% folders.

  • ACLS for files in folders outside the user profile.

The MigUser.xml file can be copied and then the copy modified to include or exclude standard user-profile folders and file name extensions. If all of the extensions for the files that need to be migrated from the source computer are known, use the MigUser.xml file to move all of the relevant data, regardless of the location of the files. However, adding in all file extensions that need to be migrated to the MigUser.xml file can result in a migration that contains more files than intended. For example, if all .jpg files are migrated, it can also migrate image files such as thumbnails and logos from legacy applications that are installed on the source computer.

Note

Each file name extension included in the rules within the MigUser.xml file increases the amount of time needed for the ScanState tool to gather the files for the migration. If more than 300 file types are being migrated, the migration experience can be slow. For more information about other ways to organize the migration of the data, see the Using multiple XML files section of this article.

Using multiple XML files

Multiple XML files can be used with the ScanState and LoadState tools. Each of the default XML files included with or generated by USMT is configured for a specific component of the migration. Custom XML files can also be used to supplement these default files with more migration rules.

XML migration file Modifies the following components:
Config.xml file Operating-system components such as desktop wallpaper and background theme.
The Config.xml can also be extended to include some application and document settings by generating the Config.xml file with the other default XML files. For more information, see Customize USMT XML Files and Config.xml File.
MigApps.xml file Applications settings.
MigUser.xml or MigDocs.xml files User files and profile settings.
Custom XML files Application settings, user profile settings, or user files, beyond the rules contained in the other XML files.

For example, all of the XML migration file types can be used for a single migration, as in the following example:

ScanState.exe <store> /config:c:\myFolder\Config.xml /i:migapps.xml /i:MigDocs.xml /i:CustomRules.xml

XML rules for migrating user files

Important

The MigUser.xml and MigDocs.xml files shouldn't be used together in the same command. Using both XML files can result in duplication of some migrated files. Duplication of some migrated files can occur when conflicting target-location instructions are given in each XML file. The target file is stored once during the migration, but each XML file applies the file to a different location on the destination computer.

If the data set is unknown or if many files are stored outside of the standard user-profile folders, the MigDocs.xml is a better choice than the MigUser.xml file, because the MigDocs.xml file gathers a broader scope of data. The MigDocs.xml file migrates folders of data based on location. The MigUser.xml file migrates only the files with the specified file name extensions.

For more control over the migration, create custom XML files. For more information on creating custom XML files, see Creating and editing a custom XML file.

Creating and editing a custom XML file

The /genmigxml command-line option can be used to determine which files are included in the migration. The /genmigxml option creates a file in a specified location. The XML rules in the file can then be reviewed and if necessary, modifications made.

Note

If USMT is reinstalled, the default migration XML files are overwritten and any customizations made to these files are lost. Consider creating separate XML files for the custom migration rules and saving them in a secure location.

To generate the XML migration rules file for a source computer:

  1. Select Start > All Programs > Accessories

  2. Right-click Command Prompt, and then select Run as.

  3. Select an account with administrator privileges, supply a password, and then select OK.

  4. At the command prompt, enter:

    cd /d <USMTpath>
ScanState.exe /genmigxml: <filepath.xml>

    where:

    • <USMTpath> - location on the source computer of the saved USMT files and tools.
    • <filepath.xml> - full path to a file where the report can be saved.

    For example, enter:

    cd /d c:\USMT
ScanState.exe /genmigxml:"C:\Users\USMT Tester\Desktop\genMig.xml"

The GenerateDocPatterns function

The MigDocs.xml file calls the GenerateDocPatterns function, which takes three Boolean values. The settings can be changed to modify the way the MigDocs.xml file generates the XML rules for migration.

  • ScanProgramFiles: This argument is valid only when the GenerateDocPatterns function is called in a system context. This argument determines whether or not to scan the Program Files directory to gather registered file name extensions for known applications.

    Default value: False

    For example, when set to TRUE, the function discovers and migrates .doc files under the Microsoft Office directory, because .doc is a file name extension registered to a Microsoft Office application. The GenerateDocPatterns function generates this inclusion pattern for .doc files:

    <pattern type="File">C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office[.doc]</pattern>

    If a child folder of an included folder contains an installed application, ScanProgramFiles also creates an exclusion rule for the child folder. All folders under the application folder are scanned recursively for registered file name extensions.

  • IncludePatterns: This argument determines whether to generate exclude or include patterns in the XML. When this argument is set to TRUE, the GenerateDocPatterns function generates include patterns, and the function must be added under the <include> element. Changing this argument to FALSE generates exclude patterns and the function must be added under the <exclude> element.

    Default value: True

  • SystemDrive: This argument determines whether to generate patterns for all fixed drives or only for the system drive. Changing this argument to TRUE restricts all patterns to the system drive.

    Default value: False

Usage:

MigXmlHelper.GenerateDocPatterns ("<ScanProgramFiles>", "<IncludePatterns>", "<SystemDrive>")

To create include data patterns for only the system drive:

<include filter='MigXmlHelper.IgnoreIrrelevantLinks()'>
     <objectSet>
        <script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDocPatterns ("FALSE","TRUE","TRUE")</script>
     </objectSet>
</include>

To create an include rule to gather files for registered extensions from the %PROGRAMFILES% directory:

<include filter='MigXmlHelper.IgnoreIrrelevantLinks()'>
     <objectSet>
        <script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDocPatterns ("TRUE","TRUE","FALSE")</script>
     </objectSet>
</include>

To create exclude data patterns:

<exclude filter='MigXmlHelper.IgnoreIrrelevantLinks()'>
     <objectSet>
        <script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDocPatterns ("FALSE","FALSE","FALSE")</script>
     </objectSet>
</exclude>

Understanding the system and user context

The migration XML files contain two <component> elements with different context settings:

  • The system context applies to files on the computer that aren't stored in the User Profiles directory.
  • The user context applies to files that are particular to an individual user.

System context

The system context includes rules for data outside of the User Profiles directory. For example, when called in a system context in the MigDocs.xml file, the GenerateDocPatterns function creates patterns for all common shell folders, files in the root directory of hard drives, and folders located at the root of hard drives. The following folders are included:

  • CSIDL_COMMON_DESKTOPDIRECTORY

  • CSIDL_COMMON_FAVORITES

  • CSIDL_COMMON_DOCUMENTS

  • CSIDL_COMMON_MUSIC

  • CSIDL_COMMON_PICTURES

  • CSIDL_COMMON_VIDEO

  • FOLDERID_PublicDownloads

User context

The user context includes rules for data in the User Profiles directory. When called in a user context in the MigDocs.xml file, the GenerateDocPatterns function creates patterns for all user shell folders, files located at the root of the profile, and folders located at the root of the profile. The following folders are included:

  • CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS

  • CSIDL_MYPICTURES

  • FOLDERID_OriginalImages

  • CSIDL_MYMUSIC

  • CSIDL_MYVIDEO

  • CSIDL_FAVORITES

  • CSIDL_DESKTOP

  • CSIDL_QUICKLAUNCH

  • FOLDERID_Contacts

  • FOLDERID_Libraries

  • FOLDERID_Downloads

  • FOLDERID_SavedGames

  • FOLDERID_RecordedTV

Note

Rules contained in a component that is assigned the user context runs for each user profile on the computer. Files that are scanned multiple times by the MigDocs.xml files are only copied to the migration store once. However, a large number of rules in the user context can slow down the migration. Use the system context when it's applicable.

Sample migration rules for customized versions of XML files

Tip

For best practices and requirements for customized XML files in USMT, see Customize USMT XML Files and General Conventions.

Exclude rules usage examples

In the following examples, the source computer has a .txt file called new text document in a directory called new folder. The default MigDocs.xml behavior migrates the new text document.txt file and all files contained in the new folder directory. The rules generated by the function are:

Rule Syntax
Rule 1 <pattern type="File">d:\new folder[new text document.txt]</pattern>
Rule 2 <pattern type="File">d:\new folder[]</pattern>

To exclude the new text document.txt file and any .txt files in new folder, the following modifications can be made:

Example 1: Exclude all .txt files in a folder

To exclude Rule 1, there needs to be an exact match of the file name. However, for Rule 2, a pattern can be created to exclude files by using the file name extension.

<exclude>
     <objectSet>
        <pattern type="File">D:\Newfolder\[new text document.txt]</pattern>
         <pattern type="File">D:\New folder\*[*.txt]</pattern>
     </objectSet>
</exclude>

Example 2: Use the UnconditionalExclude element to give a rule precedence over include rules

If the file name or location of the file isn't known, but the file name extension is known, the GenerateDrivePatterns function can be used. However, the rule is less specific than the default include rule generated by the MigDocs.xml file, so it doesn't have precedence. The <UnconditionalExclude> element must be used to give this rule precedence over the default include rule. For more information about the order of precedence for XML migration rules, see Conflicts and Precedence.

<unconditionalExclude>
     <objectSet>
        <script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDrivePatterns ("*[*.txt]", "Fixed")</script>
     </objectSet>
</unconditionalExclude>

Example 3: Use a UserandSystem context component to run rules in both contexts

To apply the <UnconditionalExclude> element to both the system and user context, a third component can be created using the UserandSystem context. Rules in this component run in both contexts.

<component type="Documents" context="UserandSystem">
   <displayName>MigDocExcludes</displayName>
   <role role="Data">
     <rules>
       <unconditionalExclude>
         <objectSet>
                <script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDrivePatterns ("*[*.txt]", "Fixed")</script>
         </objectSet>
       </unconditionalExclude>
     </rules>
   </role>
</component>

For more examples of exclude rules that can be used in custom migration XML files, see Exclude Files and Settings.

Include rules usage examples

The application data directory is the most common location that an include rule would need to be added for. The GenerateDocPatterns function excludes this location by default. If the organization uses an application that saves important data to this location, include rules can be created to migrate the data. For example, the default location for .pst files is: %CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook. The MigApp.xml file contains migration rules to move only those .pst files that are linked to Microsoft Outlook. To include .pst files that aren't linked, the following modification can be made:

Example 1: Include a file name extension in a known user folder

This rule includes .pst files that are located in the default location, but aren't linked to Microsoft Outlook. Use the user context to run this rule for each user on the computer.

<include filter='MigXmlHelper.IgnoreIrrelevantLinks()'>
     <objectSet>
        <pattern type="File">%CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\*[*.pst]</pattern>
     </objectSet>
</include>

Example 2: Include a file name extension in Program Files

For locations outside the user profile, such as the Program Files folder, the rule can be added to the system context component.

<include filter='MigXmlHelper.IgnoreIrrelevantLinks()'>
     <objectSet>
        <pattern type="File">%CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES%\*[*.pst]</pattern>
     </objectSet>
</include>

For more examples of include rules that can be used in custom migration XML files, see Include Files and Settings.

Tip

For more information about the order of precedence for XML migration rules, see Conflicts and Precedence.

Next steps

Additional rules for the migration can be included in the MigDocs.xml file or other XML migration files. For example, the <locationModify> element can be used to move files from the folder where they were gathered to a different folder, when they're applied to the destination computer.

An XML schema (MigXML.xsd) file can be used to validate the syntax of the customized XML files. For more information, see USMT Resources.