Abstract: A first group of application settings, files and other data, of a first specific format, is converted and transferred to a second related format with respect to a receiving computer-based device, so that the receiving computer-based device will have a substantially similar operating environment to that associated with the first group. First, a communication link is established between a first computer-based device and the web site. Next, the first computer-based device is scanned, via the web site, to determine the information contained on the first computer-based device. The user then selects which of the scanned information is to be uploaded from the first computer-based device onto the web site for temporary storage. Finally, the selected information is transferred from the first computer-based device onto the web site for temporary storage. Once retrieval of the temporarily stored information is desired, the user establishes a communication link between a second computer-based device and the web site.