PCmover Windows 8 Beta Assistant is a free tool from Laplink that has been designed to make it easier to move from your current version of Windows to Windows 8 (Developer Preview and forthcoming Beta). Moving to a new computer or installing a new operating system can be a lengthy process. No matter how simple the installation of an operating system is made, you still have to factor in transferring all of your personal documents and installing all of the applications you work with.

When you consider the fact that you will also want to put in place the settings you have become used to over the years. This can take a very long time, but the entire process can be almost automated with PCmover which makes light work of moving your files, settings, applications and user profiles from one computer or operating system to another. You can choose exactly what you would like to transfer so you are not obliged to move all of your old software if you do not want to.

Although this is beta software it already seems reliable, but it should be noted that this free tool will expire in July 2012. As the software has been designed for use the Developer Preview and upcoming Beta of Windows 8, it makes sense that there is a time limit on how long it may be used. The fact that it can be used with virtual machines as well as standard PCs is a great bonus, particular when moving from one version of Windows 8 to another.

Somewhat oddly, the beta version of the migration tool has a couple of slightly odd requirements. Firstly you must be running a 64-bit version of Windows 7 on your old or source computer, and you must be making the move to a 64-bit version of Windows 8. It is important to remember that the tool is still in beta, but it seems strange to cut out the millions of computer users who are still running Windows XP or Vista.