Getting a new computer is exciting but comes with its own set of problems. Where are all your programs? How do you get your "stuff" from the old computer to the new one? Believe me, these are popular questions! (Special thanks to my friend Sheila for reminding me of these important questions and for being my test user.)
Programs
First things first. The absolute best way to transfer your programs is NOT to transfer them. It sounds great to say you will just grab the program files and move them to the new computer but (especially when using Windows) this
does not work well. The best advice is not to do it.
Find your install (install disk or download install files), make sure you have your key or proof of purchase (if needed) and do a fresh install on the new computer. You will save yourself a lot of time and trouble (and calls to your IT professional.)
Note: depending on how long it has been since you last upgraded computers (and how different the operating systems are) you may need to purchase new software for compatibility or licensing reasons.
Personal Files
Now we get to the real question. How do I move my files and pictures to my new computer? There are essentially two ways to do this: the easy way and the hard(er) way. In most cases, the easy way is definitely best.
The Easy Way
It is easiest to use a migration program which is designed to back up your files, "zip" them and unpack them on the new computer in the correct location. Since the "correct" location varies depending on which operating system(s) you have, it is important to get the right migration tool.
Windows to Windows
Currently, most new Windows computers come with Windows 10. Microsoft does not provide a free migration tool for Windows 10. They
recommend you purchase PC Mover Express from Laplink. However reviews on PC Mover have been varied and the tool is not free. For a free alternative, Transfer Wizard by
ForensiT is easier to use and works better.
ForensiT Transfer Wizard can be found
here. (It is the 3rd download on the page.)
The Windows Club has published good instruction for Transfer Wizard
here.
Notes:
- Use a disk-cleanup program such as CCleaner before migration to delete temporary files and make the migration run faster.
- Store the profile on an external drive so you can move it to the new computer. Make sure the drive is large enough to contain your profile. (In my test, my profile is 34G and the compressed backup was 25G.)
- If you are migrating to a new computer installed with Windows 7 or 8 you can also use Microsoft's Easy Transfer Wizard. (It is not available for Windows 10).
Windows/Mac to Mac
For users with new Macs, Apple publishes
Migration Wizards to make moving simple. Please read carefully and select the correct migration tool for your situation (Window
s to Mac, Mac to Mac, older Mac to new Mac). The Apple migration tool works through your home network so you should be able to complete the migration without an external hard drive.
The Hard(er) Way
For those users who prefer not to depend on a program to move their files, it is possible (although a bit more involved) to migrate your files by hand.
For Mac users, Apple published
instructions on how to move your profile by hand.
For Windows users, on Windows Vista and above, your profile is stored at c:\Users\. If you are logged in as an alternate user (say administrator) you can simply copy and paste the user profile to an external drive. This takes the longest because it grabs files you do not necessarily need. However it is least likely to leave behind the files you do need. If you want to simply grab the needed files, you will want to get My Documents, My Music, My Pictures and My Favorites. These
instructions give a good basic outline on what you want to back up.
Whichever way you choose to migrate, we hope you enjoy your new computer!
