Solved Is there an easy and free way to transfer everything from old PC to new PC?

Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.3155

Current laptop is a DELL Inspiron but, if I buy a new laptop (of another make) is it possible to simply copy over all apps and files using software without overwriting the new laptop's specific drivers? This link shows what I mean but is there another easy and free way to do this?: -

Maybe something to think about. You have a brand new laptop. Why would you want to move apps from an old laptop to a new one and risk corruption? .Reinstall your apps cleanly. Copy (not move) FILES to external media from old computer, then Copy from external media into new laptop. Copy must be used to prevent any permissions issues.

wiganken said:

Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.3155

Current laptop is a DELL Inspiron but, if I buy a new laptop (of another make) is it possible to simply copy over all apps and files using software without overwriting the new laptop's specific drivers? This link shows what I mean but is there another easy and free way to do this?: -

Windows Easy Transfer is Gone. Use PCmover® to move everything to your new PC.

Microsoft® no longer offers Windows Easy Transfer (WET) for moving your data to Windows 10 or Windows 11. Try PCmover® instead — recommended by Microsoft, Intel, and all major PC manufacturers.

go.laplink.com

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Well there is a good reliable way to do it but keep new laptop drivers but it needs a bit of work and knowledge of dism.

1) export drivers on new pc to a separate drive using dism

2) create a custom install.wim of old pc using dism

3) inject drivers of new pc into install.wim (for nvme drives you may need to inject IRST drivers into boot.wim) using dism.

4) create a custom usb installation drive from standard usb drive installation drive from standard iso replacing install.wim and boot.wim.

This will need two partitions fat32 and ntfs.

All these steps are covered in the tenforum tutorials.

An easier but not so reliable way is to simply export drivers from new pc and make an image backup of old pc using an modern imaging tool like Macrium Reflect and restore it to new pc. Windows 10/11 are good at sorting drivers and then you can update with your backed up drivers if needed.

Only issue with above approach it can be tricky if new pc needs special drivers to boot - NVME drivers being most common example.

I agree with @glasskuter that it’s a brand new laptop and all you’re saving by risking possible issues, is probably one day of reloading your apps/software.
It’ll be a new laptop, when you install Windows 11 you’ll want the reassurance that if you come across a problem, that it’s due to Windows and not wondering if it’s the result of your transferring old to new. It may save time troubleshooting.
Otherwise, follow @cereberus and do it the right way and hope it’s all good.

wiganken said:

Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.3155

Current laptop is a DELL Inspiron but, if I buy a new laptop (of another make) is it possible to simply copy over all apps and files using software without overwriting the new laptop's specific drivers? This link shows what I mean but is there another easy and free way to do this?: -

Windows Easy Transfer is Gone. Use PCmover® to move everything to your new PC.

Microsoft® no longer offers Windows Easy Transfer (WET) for moving your data to Windows 10 or Windows 11. Try PCmover® instead — recommended by Microsoft, Intel, and all major PC manufacturers.

go.laplink.com

Click to expand...

No.

Next question?

glasskuter said:

Maybe something to think about. You have a brand new laptop. Why would you want to move apps from an old laptop to a new one and risk corruption? .Reinstall your apps cleanly. Copy (not move) FILES to external media from old computer, then Copy from external media into new laptop. Copy must be used to prevent any permissions issues.

Click to expand...

Yes, this is what I have always done but I was thinking about making the process easier and quicker by using software. I never thought about corruption issues. As @antspants said "you’ll want the reassurance that if you come across a problem, that it’s due to Windows and not wondering if it’s the result of your transferring old to new."

Thanks to you both for highlighting this potential pitfall. I'll stick to the old and trusted but long winded method.

@cereberus - Thanks but it sounds too complicated. I'll stick with what I know.

wiganken said:

Yes, this is what I have always done but I was thinking about making the process easier and quicker by using software. I never thought about corruption issues. As @antspants said "you’ll want the reassurance that if you come across a problem, that it’s due to Windows and not wondering if it’s the result of your transferring old to new."

Thanks to you both for highlighting this potential pitfall. I'll stick to the old and trusted but long winded method.

@cereberus - Thanks but it sounds too complicated. I'll stick with what I know.

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I totally get it.
I used to reinstall ALL the time. It certainly got monotonous, now i put up with problems to avoid the whole process.

@antspants

@wiganken

Try another way

1) Backup NEW laptop

2) create on external device a VM of OLD laptop

3) Restore OLD laptop VM to physical machine

4) update drivers via control panel -->device manager--> update driver against each device with a ? or unknown device by selecting install manually from this computer and point to the drivers store in c:\windows\system32 from the backup image of the new pc. Make sure checkbox include subfolders is checked. Note check also if any 64 bit drivers exist too. Most are still 32 bit these days.

Things like macrium allow you to mount an image and use the data on it.

Job done -- "seemples"

If it does go pear shaped -- shouldn't happen -- but hey it's Windows !!! you can still restore your new laptop again to try out other things so DO take backups before you start whatever methods you choose.

Cheers

jimbo

I'll stick to what I know. I'm too old to start learning about VM stuff.

wiganken said:

I'll stick to what I know. I'm too old to start learning about VM stuff.

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What works is a good solution -- but one's never to old to learn new things -- I know people round here at over 70 years old learning to be pilots of small planes -- actually some of these are safer in the air than on the roads driving cars !!!

Cheers
jimbo

wiganken said:

I'll stick to what I know. I'm too old to start learning about VM stuff.

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I’ve never setup a VM either. I just nod like I understand lol

wiganken said:

Is there an easy and free way to transfer everything from old PC to new PC?​

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Yes; Windows Backup:

Your Windows PC comes with a one-stop backup solution, Windows Backup, that will help you to back up many of the things that are most important to you. From your files, themes, and some settings to many of your installed apps and Wi-Fi information - Windows Backup will help protect what matters and make it easier than ever to move to a brand-new PC.

This guide will help you to use Windows Backup to back up key things on your Windows PC.

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Take your files and most settings and apps with you to your new Windows 11 computer with Windows Backup.

How to use Windows Backup

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This is a list of the settings that are backed up when they are selected in the Windows Backup app, or when they are checked in the Windows Settings app, under Accounts > Windows backup.

Windows Backup settings and preferences catalog

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Just setup a new laptop and chose to go with the reinstall everything route. I have an MR backup of old laptop and the skills to capture the drivers in the new laptop, MR image restore, and install drivers. But I have a detailed script to follow for the install of all my apps and customizations.

The benefits of the reinstall was:
1. no carry forward of any crud accumulated over the last 3 years since last reinstall
2. only installed apps that I have recently used

Found a few cosmetic differences in File Explorer (cannot enable compact view & and small white square selection box beside all items).

An MR image copy of my D:\Data drive was restored, and as noted by a previous poster this resulted in some permission issues. This was a good learning process, and use of UnlockIt app, then resolved by coping files to another partition, reformat D: drive, copy files back, and delete temporary partition.

If I was not happy with the clean install I could revert to the alternative process of restoring an image copy from the old laptop with driver updates.

The key to the process was having a script for the process. This would be a good time to create your own script.

Another benefit of the install using the process on new PC is getting the vendors native app which streamlines the warranty registration and use in system diagnosis and specification info of the device. But remember to uninstall any apps provided that are not wanted, like the 3-month free paid subscriptions.

This app may be available directly from the vendor or the Microsoft Store but you need to know what to look for.

BruceR said:

Yes; Windows Backup:

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No, you don't even need to do that if you move to a new PC or have to do a clean install of an existing one.

Microsoft One Drive will save everything the cloud and can be restored to Windows!

I don't even have a physical desktop anymore, One Drive is the desktop!

NormanF said:

No, you don't even need to do that if you move to a new PC or have to do a clean install of an existing one.

Microsoft One Drive will save everything the cloud and can be restored to Windows!

I don't even have a physical desktop anymore, One Drive is the desktop!

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But not installed programs and their configuration

As I said in post 2 2nd method

1. export drivers from new pc.

2. Image backup old pc

3. Restore image of old pc to new pc

4. Fix any drivers using exprorted drivers

90+% chance it will work first time.


Alternatively listen to the Nuke it Nazi" brigade and give yourself loads of work.

PS my first method is more complicated and has NEVER failed me as it uses Windows own deployment tools.

NormanF said:

One Drive will save everything the cloud and can be restored to Windows!

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No it won't. No apps are backed up, only personal files that are backed up to onedrive.

@NormanF - I thought my original post made it clear that I wanted all apps to be transferred. Not just files.

FYI - My intent was to emulate what happened when I got a new Android smartphone. I connected the new phone to my old smartphone via a USB-C male to USB-C male cable and ran the Google transfer software following prompts on the screen and absolutely everything got copied over. By everything I include Google account, Email accounts, Contacts, Wi-Fi SSIDs and PWs, all apps including PWs. It was the quickest, seamless and most simple thing to do that I wondered if the same thing could be done with windows computers/laptops and that is why I posted the question.

I hope this helps others understand my OP.

Short of pulling the laptops apart and cloning the drives (ouch), or following some of the suggestions posted above, I don’t know any software that would do that, unfortunatly. It could save time and be benificial.