Windows 7 USMT – Exclude Files

The User State Migration Tool can be customised to either include or exclude files or folders being transferred to the new installation of Windows 7.

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To change the options you will need to have a basic understanding of XML coding.

To modify the configuration, navigate to your USMT configuration files, right click on ‘Custom.xml’ and select ‘Edit’

Example Configuration Changes: Exclude Files

The following component can be added to exclude the ‘TESTFILE.exe’ file and all Citrix PNAgent files from being transferred to the new installation.

<!-- This component excludes selected desktop files -->
 <component type="System" context="User">
 <displayName>Exclude Desktop Files</displayName>
 <paths>
 <path type="File">%CSIDL_DESKTOP%</path>
 </paths>
 <role role="Settings">
 <rules>
 <unconditionalExclude>
 <objectSet>
 <pattern type="File">%CSIDL_DESKTOP% [TESTFILE.exe]</pattern>
 <pattern type="File">%CSIDL_DESKTOP% [*.pnagent]</pattern>
 </objectSet>
 </unconditionalExclude>
 </rules>
 </role>
 </component>

The following component can be added to exclude all copies of ‘TESTFILE.exe’, all MP3 files and all VHD files from being transferred to the new installation:

<component context="System" type="Documents"> 
<displayName>Unconditional Exluded Files</displayName> 
<role role="Data"> 
<rules> 
<unconditionalExclude> 
<objectSet> 
<script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDrivePatterns ("* [TESTFILE.exe]", "Fixed")</script> 
<script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDrivePatterns ("* [*.mp3]", "Fixed")</script> 
<script>MigXmlHelper.GenerateDrivePatterns ("* [*.vhd]", "Fixed")</script> 
<pattern type="File">C:\TEMP\* [*]</pattern>
<pattern type="File">C:\Drivers\* [*]</pattern>
</objectSet> 
</unconditionalExclude> 
</rules> 
</role> 
</component>

 

Example Configuration Changes: Exclude Start Menu Icons

The following component can be added to exclude listed start menu items:

 

<!-- This component excludes selected Start Menu files -->
<component type="System" context="User">
<displayName>Exclude Start Menu Files</displayName>
<paths>
<path type="File">C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu</path>
</paths>
<role role="Settings">
<rules>
<unconditionalExclude>
<objectSet>
<pattern type="File">C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu [Internet Explorer.lnk]</pattern>
<pattern type="File">C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu [Microsoft Office Excel 2007.lnk]</pattern>
<pattern type="File">C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu [Microsoft Office Outlook 2007.lnk]</pattern>
<pattern type="File">C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu [Microsoft Office Word 2007.lnk]</pattern>
<pattern type="File">C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu [Microsoft Update.lnk]</pattern>
</objectSet>
</unconditionalExclude>
</rules>
</role>
</component>