Easiest way to transfer programs and files to new computer?

Fishrman said:

I have pretty much concluded that I should get a new computer rather than get a better Graphics card. I have been putting it off because I hate the thought of trying to set up a new computer. What is the best way to accomplish this? At one time, I was told you can transfer your files but you can't transfer or copy your programs over to another computer. If that is the case, it seems it would be a hassle, especially in todays world that doesn't seem to rely on CD's for the programs. Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

There's a similar thread here that may be of interest:

Transferring data and programs from one PC to another one

Windows has a nasty tendency to accumulate crud over time. Sometimes it's this crud itself that causes a decrease in performance and other poor behavior. A new Windows computer is an opportunity, not a burden, to clean out the crud.

Windows software installations are almost never just a set of files that can be easily copied. There are registry entries, hidden folders, and such.

Make a list of the software packages on your current computer. Check the Start menu, the task bar, and desktop icons. Double check by pulling up the "Add or Remove Programs" list from the Windows settings. Cross off any items in the list you no longer need or want.

For free software, a new machine is an opportunity to grab the latest updated version to install on your new machine.

Paid software is almost always controlled by a license key. Find all of the license keys necessary for the programs on your list. You don't have a license key for something? Software distributors have a way to verify you've paid for something and recover the license key. (Unless it's a bootlegged/pirated copy... I got nothing for you.)

Working from your list, install the new software. Then, transfer the data for each package. I keep most of my data/documents on OneDrive, so no transfer is required. I just configure my OneDrive on my new computer and away we go.

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

SecondTimeAround said:

Fishrman said:

I have pretty much concluded that I should get a new computer rather than get a better Graphics card. I have been putting it off because I hate the thought of trying to set up a new computer. What is the best way to accomplish this? At one time, I was told you can transfer your files but you can't transfer or copy your programs over to another computer. If that is the case, it seems it would be a hassle, especially in todays world that doesn't seem to rely on CD's for the programs. Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

There's a similar thread here that may be of interest:

Transferring data and programs from one PC to another one

Click to expand...

Thanks, I will take a look!

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

Click to expand...

So what would you do?

Fishrman said:

I have pretty much concluded that I should get a new computer rather than get a better Graphics card. I have been putting it off because I hate the thought of trying to set up a new computer. What is the best way to accomplish this? At one time, I was told you can transfer your files but you can't transfer or copy your programs over to another computer. If that is the case, it seems it would be a hassle, especially in todays world that doesn't seem to rely on CD's for the programs. Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

I'd copy files over.

The least invasive way would be to do it using an external hard drive. It may be slow, because of the speed of the drive, and that you'd have to copy to the drive, and then from the drive to the new PC. (It has the advantage of giving you a backup of your files.)

If you're up for neurosurgery, remove the drive from the old PC. Mount in in an external adapter (or enclosure), and copy the files over. One time copy.

Or mount the old drive into the new PC and copy the drives internally. (Fastest, but involves breaking into the new PC. I'd also worry a bit if the drive is an OS drive.)

The only apps you could copy over easily would be "portable" types, which needed no installation. Most apps aren't portable.

I have never tried program transferring software. I'm skeptical that it would be reliable, mainly because of the possible issues with the Windows Registry. But, as I said, I've never tried one.

All of the software I use I have downloaded installers for. I arrange a folder with them (and license keys). It's small enough that I don't need a large USB thumb drive to copy them over to the new PC. If you are using an old appliance PC with pre-installed software, for which you have no installers, that may be a problem.

I'm sure the sources of the software you use, if they're still in business, would be pleased to sell you new copies of the software. ;-)

If you needed an optical drive to install from CDs or DVDs, I'd suggest getting an external one. You may be able to buy a new PC with an optical drive, but they are becoming unusual.

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

Click to expand...

So what would you do?

Click to expand...

I used Z-install from a Windows 10 to a new computer with Windows 11. I took out the C drive (NVMe) from the old computer, put it in a USB NVMe enclosure for the transfer. It took a significant amount of time to get rid of all the old drivers/printers/etc after the transfer. I did it because I had several programs which had many updates which I no longer had and the updates would have been difficult to obtain.

If that is not true of your system, then I would copy over the files and install the programs in the new PC instead of transferring the programs to the new computer so you would not have potential problems with the new computer.

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

Click to expand...

So what would you do?

Click to expand...

I used Z-install from a Windows 10 to a new computer with Windows 11. I took out the C drive (NVMe) from the old computer, put it in a USB NVMe enclosure for the transfer. It took a significant amount of time to get rid of all the old drivers/printers/etc after the transfer. I did it because I had several programs which had many updates which I no longer had and the updates would have been difficult to obtain.

If that is not true of your system, then I would copy over the files and install the programs in the new PC instead of transferring the programs to the new computer so you would not have potential problems with the new computer.

Click to expand...

I looked at that program. Not understanding why you had to take the c drive out of your old computer to transfer?

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

Click to expand...

So what would you do?

Click to expand...

I used Z-install from a Windows 10 to a new computer with Windows 11. I took out the C drive (NVMe) from the old computer, put it in a USB NVMe enclosure for the transfer. It took a significant amount of time to get rid of all the old drivers/printers/etc after the transfer. I did it because I had several programs which had many updates which I no longer had and the updates would have been difficult to obtain.

If that is not true of your system, then I would copy over the files and install the programs in the new PC instead of transferring the programs to the new computer so you would not have potential problems with the new computer.

Click to expand...

I looked at that program. Not understanding why you had to take the c drive out of your old computer to transfer?

Click to expand...

The old computer crashed and could not be used for the transfer of the programs so I had to use the drive for the transfer. I believe you can now do the same thing with Macrium and possibly EaseUS.

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

Click to expand...

So what would you do?

Click to expand...

I used Z-install from a Windows 10 to a new computer with Windows 11. I took out the C drive (NVMe) from the old computer, put it in a USB NVMe enclosure for the transfer. It took a significant amount of time to get rid of all the old drivers/printers/etc after the transfer. I did it because I had several programs which had many updates which I no longer had and the updates would have been difficult to obtain.

If that is not true of your system, then I would copy over the files and install the programs in the new PC instead of transferring the programs to the new computer so you would not have potential problems with the new computer.

Click to expand...

I looked at that program. Not understanding why you had to take the c drive out of your old computer to transfer?

Click to expand...

The old computer crashed and could not be used for the transfer of the programs so I had to use the drive for the transfer. I believe you can now do the same thing with Macrium and possibly EaseUS.

Click to expand...

Macrium Reflect (at least the paid version) has the ability to image a drive, and restore it to dissimilar hardware.

It might be possible to do that onto a new PC. You'd have Windows 10, then. Might be OK.

It might also be possible to just transplant the boot drive from the old PC to the new. Windows 10 often can handle a hardware change pretty well. I've done it.

There might be some Windows activation issues in either case, depending on what sort of Windows 10 license is present for the old PC. Or not.

Somehow, I doubted that these were what "fishrman" would wish to try.

Fishrman said:

I have pretty much concluded that I should get a new computer rather than get a better Graphics card. I have been putting it off because I hate the thought of trying to set up a new computer. What is the best way to accomplish this? At one time, I was told you can transfer your files but you can't transfer or copy your programs over to another computer. If that is the case, it seems it would be a hassle, especially in todays world that doesn't seem to rely on CD's for the programs. Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

I would always do a clean installation of programs with a new PC.

Otherwise you can use Macrium Reflect Free to create an image file of your current installation on a removal drive. Also create a Reflect bootable USB drive. Boot to that Refelct USB drive then recover the image to your new PC.

This method isn't ideal since you will have the wrong drivers for your new PC but Windows normally finds and installs the drivers it requires. You should then have all the programs you had installed on the old PC.

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

Click to expand...

So what would you do?

Click to expand...

I used Z-install from a Windows 10 to a new computer with Windows 11. I took out the C drive (NVMe) from the old computer, put it in a USB NVMe enclosure for the transfer. It took a significant amount of time to get rid of all the old drivers/printers/etc after the transfer. I did it because I had several programs which had many updates which I no longer had and the updates would have been difficult to obtain.

If that is not true of your system, then I would copy over the files and install the programs in the new PC instead of transferring the programs to the new computer so you would not have potential problems with the new computer.

Click to expand...

I looked at that program. Not understanding why you had to take the c drive out of your old computer to transfer?

Click to expand...

The old computer crashed and could not be used for the transfer of the programs so I had to use the drive for the transfer. I believe you can now do the same thing with Macrium and possibly EaseUS.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I am not good with backing up and actually have Macrium but it is complicated to me. Some things I am pretty good at----tech isn't one of them.

BobKnDP said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

drj3 said:

Fishrman said:

Robert Zanatta said:

You might have a couple of issues with software as some apps, including Windows, might be your to the machine. Some apps require that you remove that tie to a system so that you can transfer it to a new system.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, uninstall any drivers that might not be relevant in the new system; if the old machine has an an AMD video card and the new one an NVidia, you should uninstall the AMD driver. Then image your old drive to the new drive. Boot up the new system. Windows will detect the hardware changes and load the correct drivers to get the system up. After that you may have to update a couple of the drivers.

Click to expand...

I am using 10. The machine I am looking at already has 11 installed.

Click to expand...

Moving files is fairly easy, you can just use an external drive and copy the selected files.

Transferring programs from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be done with programs like Z-install. The advantage of this approach is that all updates to the programs will be transferred and you do not need the original disk/download of the program.

The disadvantage of transferring programs is that you will bring over lots of things that are not needed or that don't work on Windows 11 and you will spend a great deal of time just removing junk. You will still need to activate the programs on the new computer, but generally not need to reinstall or update.

Click to expand...

So what would you do?

Click to expand...

I used Z-install from a Windows 10 to a new computer with Windows 11. I took out the C drive (NVMe) from the old computer, put it in a USB NVMe enclosure for the transfer. It took a significant amount of time to get rid of all the old drivers/printers/etc after the transfer. I did it because I had several programs which had many updates which I no longer had and the updates would have been difficult to obtain.

If that is not true of your system, then I would copy over the files and install the programs in the new PC instead of transferring the programs to the new computer so you would not have potential problems with the new computer.

Click to expand...

I looked at that program. Not understanding why you had to take the c drive out of your old computer to transfer?

Click to expand...

The old computer crashed and could not be used for the transfer of the programs so I had to use the drive for the transfer. I believe you can now do the same thing with Macrium and possibly EaseUS.

Click to expand...

Macrium Reflect (at least the paid version) has the ability to image a drive, and restore it to dissimilar hardware.

It might be possible to do that onto a new PC. You'd have Windows 10, then. Might be OK.

It might also be possible to just transplant the boot drive from the old PC to the new. Windows 10 often can handle a hardware change pretty well. I've done it.

There might be some Windows activation issues in either case, depending on what sort of Windows 10 license is present for the old PC. Or not.

Somehow, I doubted that these were what "fishrman" would wish to try.

Click to expand...

You know me so well!

SC489 said:

Fishrman said:

I have pretty much concluded that I should get a new computer rather than get a better Graphics card. I have been putting it off because I hate the thought of trying to set up a new computer. What is the best way to accomplish this? At one time, I was told you can transfer your files but you can't transfer or copy your programs over to another computer. If that is the case, it seems it would be a hassle, especially in todays world that doesn't seem to rely on CD's for the programs. Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

I would always do a clean installation of programs with a new PC.

Otherwise you can use Macrium Reflect Free to create an image file of your current installation on a removal drive. Also create a Reflect bootable USB drive. Boot to that Refelct USB drive then recover the image to your new PC.

This method isn't ideal since you will have the wrong drivers for your new PC but Windows normally finds and installs the drivers it requires. You should then have all the programs you had installed on the old PC.

Click to expand...

I have Macrium Reflect paid addition but I am not sure I am techy enough to use it correctly. My old pc is 10 and the new one will be 11. Would that create an issue?

Here's what I do. It helps that I have detailed notes which I update each time I perform a clean install. It also helps that I keep Windows and programs on the C: drive and all my data on the D: drive.

Backup various program settings I will want (save .ini files, export registry settings etc.)

Backup everything on C: and D: to a USB drive using Robocopy

User Media Creation Tool to create a Win 10/11 bootable thumb

Update BIOS if appropriate

Perform clean Win install

Run Windows Update, as many times as necessary

Make any tweaks to the partitioning and drive assignments

Check Device Manager for missing/problem drivers

Restore the D: drive data

Simply copy the portable apps (I have a LOT) from the old C: drive. This is relatively easy since most are under a folder called C:\Wintools\

Install those apps that require installation

Tweak the many Windows and application settings/preferences to taste (again I have detailed notes).

Clean up the system:

vssadmin delete shadows /for=c:
Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase /Restorehealth
SFC /scannow
Delete C:\Windows\servicing\LCU
Run Piriform CCleaner

Make a backup image using Macrium Reflect

XiaoDeer said:

Here's what I do. It helps that I have detailed notes which I update each time I perform a clean install. It also helps that I keep Windows and programs on the C: drive and all my data on the D: drive.

Backup various program settings I will want (save .ini files, export registry settings etc.)

Backup everything on C: and D: to a USB drive using Robocopy

User Media Creation Tool to create a Win 10/11 bootable thumb

Update BIOS if appropriate

Perform clean Win install

Run Windows Update, as many times as necessary

Make any tweaks to the partitioning and drive assignments

Check Device Manager for missing/problem drivers

Restore the D: drive data

Simply copy the portable apps (I have a LOT) from the old C: drive. This is relatively easy since most are under a folder called C:\Wintools\

Install those apps that require installation

Tweak the many Windows and application settings/preferences to taste (again I have detailed notes).

Clean up the system:

vssadmin delete shadows /for=c:
Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase /Restorehealth
SFC /scannow
Delete C:\Windows\servicing\LCU
Run Piriform CCleaner

Make a backup image using Macrium Reflect

Click to expand...

Glad you know what you are doing!

Fishrman said:

SC489 said:

Fishrman said:

I have pretty much concluded that I should get a new computer rather than get a better Graphics card. I have been putting it off because I hate the thought of trying to set up a new computer. What is the best way to accomplish this? At one time, I was told you can transfer your files but you can't transfer or copy your programs over to another computer. If that is the case, it seems it would be a hassle, especially in todays world that doesn't seem to rely on CD's for the programs. Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

I would always do a clean installation of programs with a new PC.

Otherwise you can use Macrium Reflect Free to create an image file of your current installation on a removal drive. Also create a Reflect bootable USB drive. Boot to that Refelct USB drive then recover the image to your new PC.

This method isn't ideal since you will have the wrong drivers for your new PC but Windows normally finds and installs the drivers it requires. You should then have all the programs you had installed on the old PC.

Click to expand...

I have Macrium Reflect paid addition but I am not sure I am techy enough to use it correctly. My old pc is 10 and the new one will be 11. Would that create an issue?

Click to expand...

If you recover Windows 10 to the new PC you will have Windows 10 but will be able to upgrade for free to Windows 11.