If you’ve just bought a new Windows 10 PC and want to transfer all the files from your old PC, you can do it quickly and easily with hardware and software.
There are several factors that will determine the process you use, such as the number of files you need to move and the size of the files. You will also need to figure out the easiest way to transfer settings and programs, which can be a little intimidating if you’re not very well organized.
Windows 10 PCs” />
This guide will show you the most common methods you can use to transfer files and settings between your Windows 10 PC.
Common ways to transfer files and settings between Windows 10 PCs
There are several ways to set up a new Windows 10 PC to transfer everything from the old one.
These methods include using an external drive, cloud storage, file transfer software, backup and restore software, or hard drive cloning software. You can also share files via Wi-Fi or LAN, via Bluetooth, or using Nearby Sharing
Transfer files between Windows 10 computers using a USB drive or external hard drive
The easiest and most reliable way to transfer files and settings between Windows 10 computers is to use an external hard drive. If you have few large files to copy, a USB stick will do.
– /
The cost of external hard drives depends on read / write speed, capacity and brand. An external drive is a convenient long-term backup option and can hold more data than a flash drive.
The downside of using an external drive to move files and settings is that it can be time consuming if you have a lot of files or very large files to transfer.
Windows 10 PCs” />
To transfer files and settings between Windows 10 computers, connect your external hard drive to your old computer and copy the files you want to the external drive. After copying the files you want, remove the external drive, connect it to your new computer, and then drag and drop them to the desired location on the new computer.
Note. You can also move files and settings between computers if they have USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA port, or a SATA slot. When it comes to USB 3.0 ports, you can get the best USB drives that are not only fast but can store large files as well. If your new PC has a SATA slot or eSATA port, unplug the old PC’s hard drive and connect to the new PC to transfer data via SATA faster than USB.
Windows 10 PCs” />
To copy important settings, check out our guide on how to transfer bookmarks to and from all major browsers
If you plan to give away, sell, or dispose of your old computer, you can erase the old drive so that old data or other sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
After completing the migration, be sure to back up your new drive to protect it from potential loss due to theft, damage from natural disasters, or viruses and malware Keep paper copies of all legal documents you have in a safe place.
How to transfer files and settings between Windows 10 PCs using cloud storage
You can also transfer files and settings from one Windows 10 PC to another using cloud storage Some of the best cloud storage providers include Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive, which you can use to upload and download files.
All of these providers offer free cloud storage, but if your files exceed your free storage capacity, you can upgrade or follow our guide on how to get as much free cloud storage as possible.
Windows 10 PCs” />
Unlike an external hard drive, cloud storage is not susceptible to damage from theft or natural disasters. Plus, you can access your data from any device or from anywhere without any effort to transfer files. The downside is that your files can be accessed by hackers in the event of a security breach.
How to use cables to transfer files between Windows 10 PCs
How to use transfer cables to transfer files between computers running Windows 10
This may be the old way of transferring data between computers, but it is still reliable even without an Internet connection. Transfer cables are also faster than using floppy drives, and you can move files between different Windows operating systems using built-in software.
After connecting your PC via USB ports, the software that comes with the data cable guides you through the process of transferring files and settings. This method will be faster if both computers have USB 3.0 ports
Windows 10 PCs” />
There are many data cables available on the market, such as Belkin Easy Transfer F5U279, which can help you transfer files and settings between your Windows 10 PC.
To use the data cable, turn on both computers and make sure Windows is running. Connect the USB cable to the USB port on the new computer, wait for the cable to be detected, and reconnect the cable to the old computer.
A wizard on your old PC guides you through the transfer process.
How to transfer files between Windows 10 computers using Wi-Fi or LAN sharing
If your Windows 10 computers are close to each other, you can share files over Wi-Fi or a local area network (LAN).
Set up your local network so that you can use one computer to browse the hard drives of another and then select the files you want to move. You can also use a local network file sharing application such as D-LAN to exchange files with computers.
Windows 10 PCs” />
Windows 10 has its own setting that lets you set up your home network so that all devices on the network can recognize each other. As long as both computers are on, you don’t need to establish new connections every time you want to transfer files between computers.
If both computers are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can use file transfer tools like Send Anywhere or PCMover by Laplink With PCMover, you can move files, settings, applications and user profiles between PCs.
Other things to try
There are other ways to transfer files and settings between Windows 10 computers. These include cloning your hard drive and using Nearby Sharing
Cloning a hard drive allows you to copy an old drive to a new internal or external drive and boot it onto a new computer. You can use various cloning tools such as Macrium Reflect, or check out our complete guide to cloning a hard drive in Windows 10
Nearby Sharing replaces HomeGroup, which was available with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update. Nearby Sharing uses Bluetooth to transfer files between computers, as long as the devices are in close proximity.
Windows 10 PCs” />
This feature is enabled by default on your PC, but you can customize it to your liking and use it to transfer files between PCs. To access sharing, tap Start Settings System Shared Experience, and then turn on the Sharing switch.
Fast and Easy File Transfer
Transferring files and settings is not a complicated process. Any of these methods can help you easily transfer files and settings between PCs.
Did any of these methods work? Share with us in the comments.
–
Comment on “How to Transfer Files and Settings Between Windows 10 PCs”