Non-script based intelligent migration tool capable of migrating software selected by a user, including software for which said migration tool has had no previous knowledge or encounters

Abstract

A novel computer migration tool allows a user to selectively migrate assets of choice from a source computer to a target computer. The migration tool is non-script based, and intelligently ascertains “on the fly,” which assets on the source computer are part of each program, whether or not the migration tool has previous information about the programs or has ever encountered said programs. The novel techniques of determining how all of the files of a source computer are to be grouped (i.e., to which programs, files are associated) include examining installation log files created by “installation technology,” where they exist. Where installation log files do not exist, the migration tool uses a rules-based approach to group files (into programs) according to common folders, common creation dates, common modification dates, and, examining file allocation tables, group files that are proximate. After assets are grouped into Application Groups, a Confidence Level test is performed to determine a degree of confidence that all of the items belonging to the Application Group have in fact been associated with the group. The user is presented with all of the Application Groups and their associated confidence level via an interactive display. The user then chooses programs, files and other assets to migrate to the target computer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.