New Computer Download Sequence - "Results"

wilpower wrote:
Have put off getting a new computer with Win 8.1, BUT old computer with Win 7 is dying, so can't wait for Win 10.
I will download "Classic Shell" and try to live with Win 8.1 that way until I can download Win 10.
So here are the questions:
1- Is it better to download "classic shell" BEFORE, I transfer all my settings/files from old computer, or AFTER?
2- What about other programs, such as Firefox, or Thunderbird, Before or After?
Any other suggestions for transfering my data? I will use Win easy transfer, unless there is a better way.
Thanks for your answers.

regardless of which OS you're updating only data files can be transferred...you need to re-install the programs those data files belong to.

if it were me the first thing I would do after purchasing a new Win 8 PC is to apply all outstanding critical and relevant important updates. then i would install image backup software such as Acronis Disk Image and make an image backup of the original OS onto an external hard drive. think of that backup as your disaster backup to be used in an extreme case.

then I would reinstall whatever programs you might have on the Win7 machine followed by transferring whatever data files you might have. once all of the programs have been checked to be sure that they are running well in the new environment, your printers are working, your network is working, etc. then I would download and apply the Classic Shell. once everything is working I would make another image backup onto the external hard drive. this will be your baseline backup.
I would continue to do new image backups as you add programs and data.