PSUserMigrate

A simple PowerShell script to automate migrating user settings that commonly result in helpdesk calls if forgotten.

This script captures a user’s environment into a ZIP file and restores it on the same or another machine. It’s designed for workstation refreshes, break/fix scenarios, and user migrations.

When using -Mode Capture, you may specifically target what should be captured in the backup via -Include.
-Mode Restore will attempt to restore everything present in the backup (restore is not selective).

A capture that uses -Encrypt -Password (Read-Host -AsSecureString) must also be restored using the same parameters.

It is advised to reboot after completing a restore to ensure all changes are applied correctly.

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Features

• Capture and restore:
  • Browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera)
  • Wi-Fi profiles (exported as XML)
  • VPN connections (Windows VPN + OpenVPN configs)
  • Outlook signatures
  • Mapped network drives
  • Printers
  • Sticky Notes
• Optional AES-256 ZIP encryption (via 7-Zip)
• Selective capture of components
• Automatic 7-Zip installation via winget (if required)
• Creates a migration manifest for auditing
• Designed to be safe for helpdesk and field use

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Requirements

• Windows 10 / 11
• PowerShell 5.1 or newer
• Administrator privileges for:
  • VPNs
  • Printers
  • Mapped drives
• winget (only required if using encryption and 7-Zip is not already installed)

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Usage

Capture all user data

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\PSUserMigrate.ps1 `
  -Mode Capture `
  -Path .\backup\UserData.zip

Capture only selected components (selective migration)

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\PSUserMigrate.ps1 `
  -Mode Capture `
  -Path .\backup\UserData.zip `
  -Include Browsers,WiFi,StickyNotes

Capture with encryption

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\PSUserMigrate.ps1 `
  -Mode Capture `
  -Path .\backup\UserData.zip `
  -Encrypt `
  -Password (Read-Host -AsSecureString)

Restore from an encrypted backup

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\PSUserMigrate.ps1 `
  -Mode Restore `
  -Path .\backup\UserData.zip `
  -Encrypt `
  -Password (Read-Host -AsSecureString)