[Ham-Computers] Copy OS?

[KD7JYK DM09]

"If you are using LINUX or Unix yes you can, I have done it, if not, no."

Hm...

OS is Windows XP Home, Build 2600, Service Pack 3...  Everything is 
formatted for FAT32 so I can use software going back some thirty years, I 
found I couldn't run most things when I originally installed XP as a NTFS 
drive.

How about a DOS 6.22 floppy in the A:\ drive and copy it all over with that?

No doubt I'll be drug into Windows 7 kicking and screaming just as I did 
from 3.11 to 98SE around 2001.  Using 3.11 and 98SE as a basis, I figure XP 
will work another five to ten years, support is of no concern, functionality 
and stability is.

Other ideas...

I have piles of XP drives I'm saving because they are already functioning 
and a new install can't call out to it's overlords for registration...  I 
have a couple of 7 computers too.

Might be easier to somehow export the few critical things, I can copy files, 
but I'd like to pick up with e-mail where it left off, bookmarks are easy 
enough.  All other programs I can re-download, only concern would really be 
my older stuff from the early 80's onward working with a new XP or even 7 
drive.  I have a few critical DOS programs I don't want to lose use of.

Kurt