Transferring all files from desktop computer to new laptop Windows 11

gregq · Oct 16, 2024

Hi All
I am making enquiry if windows has a function to transfer files across from my desktop to my new laptop which is empty.
I need to make both computers sync so if a new letter is made up on my laptop it syncs to my desktop, need both computers to update each other at all times Vise a versa
Unsure if this can be done by WIFI, asked Microsoft about this but no reply, Unsure if this is even possible,
laptop and desktop use office 365
I have One Drive with 1 TB capacity but unsure if one drive functions will help me
Thanks All

monkeylove · Oct 16, 2024

Hello. There are some details here:

Sync files with OneDrive in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to install and use OneDrive to sync files between your Windows device and the cloud.

support.microsoft.com

Tink009 · Oct 16, 2024

OneDrive will synchronize your files between your computers. All you need do is sign into your Microsoft account and setup OneDrive. I don't recommend turning on the Backup feature in OneDrive. It is too easy to lose or misplace files if you do.
I use OneDrive to synchronize files between my PC and laptop.

glasskuter · Oct 16, 2024

Yes Onedrive is what you need, BUT I strongly advise that you do NOT sync your desktop folder (unless you want exactly the same icons and will have all the same applications installed on both systems so that shortcuts to them will work.)

Berton · Oct 16, 2024

Computers are getting too smart. I have an HP Notebook with Win11 from last Dec. running on my desk. I merely closed it and laid a new Lenovo on top and set it up, got connected to the Internet and everything updated and working. Weird, I ended up with icons on it in the Start menu and on the Taskbar that are on the HP Notebook, the third-party icons show a small down arrow which when clicked will start downloading that program, examples are Moffsoft Calculator and VLC. The new one seems to have read the old one, both are connected Wi-Fi to my Router.

antspants · Oct 16, 2024

Berton said:
Computers are getting too smart. I have an HP Notebook with Win11 from last Dec. running on my desk. I merely closed it and laid a new Lenovo on top and set it up, got connected to the Internet and everything updated and working. Weird, I ended up with icons on it in the Start menu and on the Taskbar that are on the HP Notebook, the third-party icons show a small down arrow which when clicked will start downloading that program, examples are Moffsoft Calculator and VLC. The new one seems to have read the old one, both are connected Wi-Fi to my Router.

Is that because your’re using one Microsoft Account for both of them?

antspants · Oct 16, 2024

Welcome to the forum, Greg

Another vote for OneDrive here. I don’t use it, but just to make your life easier.

gregq · Oct 16, 2024

thanks for you reply, installed office 365 on my desktop as my new laptop Asus Zenbook came with it, by the way fantastic laptop,
never set up One drive before as thought main function was for file back up in case of system crash or theft of computer, but already have external seagate hard drive for file back up. Better get one drive set up in case computer and back up hard drive go missing.
So initally with both laptop and desktop running with one drive open on each device, the C drive content on my desktop with all content will go to my laptop.
At a later stage say in a few weeks if both devices are open in one drive, the desktop and laptop will update each other for new downloads and new word documents made
Cheers
]

Ghot · Oct 17, 2024

Hello @gregq and welcome to ElevenForum.

I don't use OneDrive at all, but I gave you ten points for filling out your computer specs... sort of.

TraderGary · Oct 17, 2024

Another vote for OneDrive keeping data on all computers using the same Microsoft Account in sync in real-time. I've used OneDrive for over 15 years and would not be without it.

gregq · Oct 17, 2024

Ghot said:
Hello @gregq and welcome to ElevenForum.

I don't use OneDrive at all, but I gave you ten points for filling out your computer specs... sort of.

sorry matey, would have taken me some stuffing around to get all computer specs navigating new laptop, just threw in very minimal basics

spapakons · Oct 17, 2024

You reminded me of Windows Briefcase, a special folder in Windows 95 & 98 that you would copy files you wanted to sync with a mobile device (aka PDA or Pocket PC) or another computer.

Briefcase (Microsoft Windows) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

antspants · Oct 17, 2024

gregq said:
matey

You an Aussie?

Berton · Oct 17, 2024

antspants said:
Is that because your’re using one Microsoft Account for both of them?

Sorry, had to go out for a church function last night but you're probably right. Could also be scary.

antspants · Oct 17, 2024

Berton said:
Sorry, had to go out for a church function last night but you're probably right. Could also be scary.

Before I decided I didn't have time to complete a fresh install of 24H2 and decided to In-place instead:

During the fresh install process of 24H2 and after I had entered my Microsoft Account email, Windows install asked me if I wanted to use the same folders (possibly files also) etc that I had setup in my previous version, 23H2.

I can't remember the exact wording and I can't remember when I was asked but it was during the install process.
I also don't know what folders (and possibly files) the install process was asking about.

Did it mean the custom paths I had moved my user folders to? I don't know?

I did however think; "did Microsoft finally work out how to save to my account, stuff other than desktop backgrounds and the like as it used to?"
I was kind of half impressed.

But Like I said, I suddenly felt a sense of despair of the 4 days that were about to follow in regards to setting up my computer. So I aborted before I could find out.

I'd like to hear from someone that actually did a fresh install, what it was it may have been referring to.

antspants · Oct 17, 2024

I should probably mention that I don’t nor ever have used OneDrive

Dannydet · Oct 17, 2024

I've been using Onedrive for a while and it is a God Send. I like the fact that I can be at my office desktop or my cell phone working on files, then come home to finish them, or vice versa. Highly recommend it.

Berton · Oct 17, 2024

Dannydet said:
I've been using Onedrive for a while and it is a God Send. I like the fact that I can be at my office working on files, then come home to finish them, or vice versa. Highly recommend it.

You've described what I believe the various 'flavors' of Drive are all about, accessing files 'on the go'. I am retired [but still fixing computers] and have no such need but do store things on a NAS drive attached to my Wireless Router that I may want to access from other computers connected to my LAN .

gregq · Oct 17, 2024

antspants said:
You an Aussie?

yes, ridgey didge,,, Dunno why this popped up was part of another reply, anyway, got one drive all sorted

rk911 · Oct 17, 2024

TraderGary said:
Another vote for OneDrive keeping data on all computers using the same Microsoft Account in sync in real-time. I've used OneDrive for over 15 years and would not be without it.

My file structure (apart from the C:\ drive) on my win10 desktop and my win11 laptop are identical. I have configured 6-partitions for various uses. Both PCs are on the same LAN via ethernet but I've been having a devil of a time getting them to talk to each other. I'm wondering if One-Drive is the answer to keep the files in these partitions synced.

- Will One-Drive allow me to pick which partitions are synced?
- Can the process be bi-directional? Files updated on either platform will be synced to the other?
- Can the process be automatic? Would this require me to remain logged into One-Drive or can I set it up, log out and forget it?
- I log into Windows locally...will that have to change?

Thanks.

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