A lot of folks use WET, Windows Easy Transfer, but personally I do a full system backup to an external hard drive using Easeus Todo Backup. Then I know I've got everything and can selectively restore whatever I want. I export my email contacts and email because it's easier to do it that way so I can import them on the new computer. If you network the two PCs, you could always use copy & paste from the old one to the new one.
`
Good luck.
Hello. Needing some info to help bro in law out, w/newly purchased PC. His basic vitals are: Old computer is an EMachines, w/Wind XP Prof and new one is a Gateway, w/Windows 8. Im aware that in order to transfer any/all of his important info (bank acct info, etc), he first needs to do a backup on the old system. Can he pick/choose what exactly he chooses to backup and also, in doing so, does it also backup/transfer the entire XP os? Obviously, if the new system has Wind 8 os, he wouldnt want the other to transfer, correct? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic