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Microsoft. - Friday, May 24, 2019 at 9:00 AM
Six simple ways to transfer data from an old PC to a new one
[How to transfer your data from an old PC to a new PC]
Moving to a new Windows 10<https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10> PC is an
exciting time — shiny new hardware and a snappy system are sitting there
waiting to be used. The problem is that your familiar files are sitting on your
old PC, and you don't want to start over entirely anew. To ease your transition
between PCs, here are six ways you can transfer your data.
Use OneDrive to transfer your data
[Use OneDrive]
One of the easiest ways to back up and transfer your data is to use the cloud
storage service OneDrive. If you have a Microsoft account, you automatically
get 5GB of storage for free.
This isn't a lot of space for a backup, especially if your old PC has been
around for a long time, but there are affordable options with much more
storage. 50GB of space will cost you about $2 per
month<https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-US/plans/>, while 1TB of space will
cost you about $7 per month<https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-US/plans/> and
will also get you a Personal subscription to Office 365.
Transferring your files and folders between PCs is easy as long as you have an
internet connection, and you can enjoy knowing that your data is protected from
hard drive failure. The only downside here is that your applications and
settings won't make the trip over to your new PC.
Cloud storage solution
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2019/03/onedrive-logo-crop-01.png?itok=mXKVb1Fo]
<https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-US/plans/>
OneDrive<https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-US/plans/>
A 5GB plan from OneDrive is still free, but if you're transferring a bunch of
larger files between PCs you'll likely want to check out the 50GB plan at $2
monthly, up to a 1TB plan that includes Office 365 Personal for about $7 monthly
Use an external hard drive to transfer your data
[Use an external hard drive]
Using an external hard drive to transfer your data from an old PC to a new PC
also gives you a backup of your data in case things go wrong. This mostly
manual process might take a bit longer, but if you already have an external
drive laying around, you can transfer your files without spending more money.
All you have to do is plug your hard drive into your old PC, move your files
and folders from your old PC onto the drive, then plug it into your new PC and
reverse the transfer process. Note that using an external hard drive does not
let you transfer your Windows settings or applications — this is a method for
moving your files and folders only.
If you're interested in using an external drive to back up and transfer your
data, check out our roundup of the best external hard drives available
now<https://www.windowscentral.com/best-external-hard-drives>.
Use a transfer cable to transfer your data
[Use a transfer cable]
If you don't want to subscribe to cloud storage services or spend the money on
an external hard drive, there is a relatively cheap option that lets you
transfer your data between Windows XP all the way up to Windows 10.
This Windows transfer cable from Plugable is about
$30<https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Transfer-Computer-Software-Migration/dp/B01B6X8QP0?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUnU46045YYw>
and uses two USB-A 3.0 male connectors to plug into each PC. Once the PCs are
connected, the included software will move you through the process of
transferring your files, settings, user accounts, and folders. If both PCs
don't have USB 3.0 ports, there is also a USB 2.0 option
available<https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Transfer-Cable-Windows-transferring/dp/B019DI3RV8?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUnU46045YYw>
from UGREEN. Note that using a transfer cable does not create a backup of your
files when they are transferred.
Direct transfer
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2019/03/plugable-transfer-cable-crop-01.jpg?itok=h4qgGjWX]
<https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Transfer-Computer-Software-Migration/dp/B01B6X8QP0?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUnU46045YYw>
Plugable USB-A 3.0 transfer
cable<https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Transfer-Computer-Software-Migration/dp/B01B6X8QP0?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUnU46045YYw>
Connect to each PC with USB-A 3.0 and transfer your files directly between PCs.
Plugable includes software that will make the process as easy as possible.
Use PCmover to transfer your data
[Use PCmover]
Back in the days of Windows 7 and Windows 8, Microsoft had a service called
Easy Transfer that allowed users to move their files and settings between PCs
using either a physical USB transfer cable, a set of DVDs, an external hard
drive, or a network.
Unfortunately, Easy Transfer was scrapped in Windows 10, but you've not been
abandoned completely — Microsoft's partnered up with Laplink PCmover to
duplicate that functionality, except now it's no longer free.
The Express version lets you select folders, user profiles, files, and settings
you want transferred over to your new PC. All you have to do then is connect
the two PCs to the internet and let everything transfer. PCmover will do its
best to make your new PC seem like your old PC, but, depending on how old of an
OS you're moving from, you will likely see some changes. In the case of
anything going wrong, there is 24/7 assistance to get you through the problem.
This version of PCmover does not allow for full application transfer between
PCs. It is compatible with Windows operating systems between and including
Windows XP and Windows 10. Keep in mind that PCmover does not create a backup
of your files when they are transferred.
Easy Transfer replacement
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2019/03/pcmover-express-crop-01.jpg?itok=yGK-9MNp]
<https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-7293383-10446076-1435715199000%3Fsid%3DUUwpUdUnU46045%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.newegg.com%252Flaplink-pcmover-express-v11-1-use%252Fp%252FN82E16832300057&token=z9kKR2AI>
PCmover
Express<https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-7293383-10446076-1435715199000%3Fsid%3DUUwpUdUnU46045%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.newegg.com%252Flaplink-pcmover-express-v11-1-use%252Fp%252FN82E16832300057&token=z9kKR2AI>
Transfer folders, profiles, files, and settings to your new PC over your
connected network, and take advantage of 24/7 assistance should any errors pop
up. This license is good for one transfer between two PCs.
PCmover Professional
PCmover Professional will cost you more for a single-move license, but if you
want to also transfer your applications, you'll want to go with this option. It
works essentially the same as PCmover Express, except you can choose which
applications to transfer as well as your folders, user profiles, files, and
settings. It also has 24/7 assistance in case anything goes wrong.
This works on Windows operating systems between and including Windows XP and
Windows 10. Keep in mind that PCmover does not create a backup of your files
when they are transferred.
Transfer applications as well
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2019/03/pcmover-professional-cropped-01.jpg?itok=mpqpbMA1]
<https://www.amazon.com/PCmover-Professional-11-Use-Download/dp/B07CKCSJ6P?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUnU46045YYw>
PCmover
Professional<https://www.amazon.com/PCmover-Professional-11-Use-Download/dp/B07CKCSJ6P?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUnU46045YYw>
If you'd like to also transfer any installed applications from your old PC to
your new PC, you'll want to check out PCmover Professional. It works the same
as the express version, but the end result is a new PC set up much more like
the old one.
Use Macrium Reflect to clone your hard drive
[Use Macrium Reflect to clone your hard drive]
Cloning a hard drive allows you to create an exact replica of your old drive on
a new drive, whether external or internal. As soon as a clone is created, it
should be ready to boot on the new PC.
There are several cloning tools you can choose from, but we found success with
Macrium Reflect. There is a free version<https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree>
that works well for casual users, a home version with four use licenses, and
there's also a business version<https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree> with
varying prices.
If you're interested in creating a direct clone of your old drive to use in a
new PC, check out our complete cloning
guide<https://www.windowscentral.com/how-clone-your-pcs-hard-drive-macrium-reflect>
that will walk you through the entire process.
Cloning software
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2019/01/macrium-reflect-cropped-01.png?itok=rzr89L9j]
<https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-7293383-10446076-1435715199000%3Fsid%3DUUwpUdUnU46045%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.newegg.com%252Flaplink-pcmover-express-v11-1-use%252Fp%252FN82E16832300057&token=z9kKR2AI>
Macrium Reflect Home
Edition<https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-7293383-10446076-1435715199000%3Fsid%3DUUwpUdUnU46045%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.newegg.com%252Flaplink-pcmover-express-v11-1-use%252Fp%252FN82E16832300057&token=z9kKR2AI>
Though there is a free version of Macrium available for casual use, the Home
Edition includes a full year of extensive support and use licenses for four
PCs. If you plan on getting serious with backups and clones, this is the way to
go.
Sharing files without HomeGroup
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2018/05/windows-10-file-printer-share.jpg?itok=cnuBPqCZ]
With the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, HomeGroup has been retired. This means
that anyone who used to use it to transfer files between PCs will now have to
go a different route. Microsoft hasn't completely killed the ability to share
data over your network; it's just been tweaked and renamed.
If you're scratching your head at this point, wondering how to get by without
HomeGroup, have a look at our comprehensive guide to sharing files now that
HomeGroup is
gone<https://www.windowscentral.com/how-share-files-and-printers-without-homegroup-windows-10>.
Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC
Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience
— and none cost more than $230.
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/thumb/public/field/image/2018/09/klim-aim-amazon.jpg?itok=jJ59uLHu]
<https://www.amazon.com/KLIM-AIM-Gaming-Mouse-Programmable/dp/B06XH2381Y?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUtUcheappcaccessories2YYw>
KLIM Aim RGB gaming
mouse<https://www.amazon.com/KLIM-AIM-Gaming-Mouse-Programmable/dp/B06XH2381Y?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUtUcheappcaccessories2YYw>
($30 at Amazon)
Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price.
It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build
quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's
not your thing.
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/thumb/public/field/image/2019/03/amazonbasics-usb-speakers-se-crop.jpg?itok=hgGIQAsd]
<https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-USB-Powered-Computer-Speakers-Dynamic/dp/B07DDGBL5T?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUtUcheappcaccessories2YYw>
AmazonBasics USB
speakers<https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-USB-Powered-Computer-Speakers-Dynamic/dp/B07DDGBL5T?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUtUcheappcaccessories2YYw>
($16 at Amazon)
These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let
that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a
stylish design. And they only cost $16.
[https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/thumb/public/field/image/2019/03/razer-bungee-se-crop.jpg?itok=9topLfNx]
<https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Mouse-Bungee-V2-RC21-01210100-R3M1/dp/B07FL2LSBH?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUtUcheappcaccessories2YYw>
Razer mouse
bungee<https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Mouse-Bungee-V2-RC21-01210100-R3M1/dp/B07FL2LSBH?tag=wpcentralb-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUdUtUcheappcaccessories2YYw>
($20 at Amazon)
Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of
snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a
rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure
policy<https://www.mobilenations.com/external-links> for more details.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-transfer-your-data-old-pc-new-pc
David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info<http://WWW.DavidGoldfield.info>
