Transfer files from old computer to new one

Anyone know how I can transfer all settings and programs from one pc (old style hardrives) to a brand new PC? I can get an external but I need to have everything exactly the same, all windows settings, all programs install and all my files?
Answer #1
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/crawford_november12.mspx
That’s XP but I assume newer versions have the same thing.