PC to PC File Transfer

Newer versions of computer are coming out frequently and it is important to keep up with the times by upgrading to a new computer every once in a while. However, this type of upgrade could prove to be annoying as it is quite difficult to migrate the settings, programs and files to the new computer from the old one. Using conventional methods, PC to PC file transfer could take ages and take up a large amount of disk space and memory which many users would not be able to afford. Therefore it is important to have some form of easy file transfer available when migrating to a new computer.

One of the convenient ways for PC to PC file transfer is to use an in-built tool on Windows: the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard. This program can be accessed by going to the Start menu and searching for ‘Windows Easy Transfer’. It will give you a comprehensive wizard – practically a guided tour which will easily create an image of all your files and folders contained on the old computer which can be easily migrated to the new computer using the same tool. The files and folders which have been moved to the new computer will be reinstated in a similar fashion to their existence on the old computer.

Laplink’s PCmover Here is another useful tool that you can use for PC to PC file transfer. This is a software application that gives value for money with a comprehensive wizard which allows you to migrate user settings, personal files and folders as well as programs and their settings. PCmover can be used to create an image of your old computer’s files and folders on an external hard disk, optical disk or even a USB Flash drive.  Check out PCmover Here

You can choose a set of files and folders to be migrated, leaving out any files and folders that you may not need any longer. One of the most valuable features of PCmover is that it provides a USB data backup cable which would cost quite a large amount of money to obtain otherwise.

Most important during PC to PC file transfer is to keep in mind to get it done using the most secure and efficient methods, so that your experience on your new computer may be more fulfilling than on your old one.

If you’re considering using PCmover you should check out the below links for helpful advice.  I have used the program many times and even have a video walk through

PCmover Review

PCmover Install

PCmover Setup

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10 Comments

  1. My old pc is a 64bit Win 7 home premium. My”new” pc is a 32 bit Win 7 Ultimate machine. How do I transfer files from a 64bit to a 32bit? Thanks,

    bob

    1. Are you asking if PCmover supports this transfer path, It should. The issue you may run into is 64bit programs may not run on the 32 platform. All files and personal setting should transfer over just fine. If you are just coping over files those should be able to be copied and pasted over a network or jump drive.

  2. I have PCMover and want tomove data and apps from old pc to new laptop running windows 7. OLD PC HAS 2 HARD DRIVES. THE C – DRIVE HAS THE OS, APPS and docs. Drive D is a shared drive. My method was via LAN. My D – drive did not show up on the list of drives to migrate. Do you have any suggetions. Should I try it again using the provided cable? Saw your 2vidios, they were informative.

    Thanks oin advance
    Manny

    1. HMMM, In all my testings and real life use, PCMover detected all the drives. As drive D is not the operating system files and has no installed programs I would share the drive over the lan and copy files that way. PCmover should be picking it up. If your computer sees it so should the software. I would recommend contacting the free support number from PCmover and ask one of them. I have not ran into this issue before.

  3. I’m trying to move only files, not programs, from a computer that will not boot. Is is possible to remove the harddrive and install in the new computer? If not, how would I transfer from a machine that won’t boot? I took it to a computer store to analyze and determine the issue for the failure to boot. They said I could bring it back and they would do the transfer setting up a “ghost drive?” I think that is the term they used. Seems like I should be able to do it myself from home.

    1. You are correct. You can do this at home. You should be able to remove the hard drive and mount it on the second computer. It can be done either internally or you can get a shell casing and make it an external hard drive. If the old drive had an IDE interface and your new computer does not allow for this kind of interface then you would have to purchase the external hard drive casing to mount the drive. It’s rather simple to check. Ensure your old computer and new computer are UNPLUGGED. Remove the old hard drive and crack open the new computer case that you want to install/mount the drive on. There should be an extra bay for the drive to fit into. Check the cabling of the computer to see if there is a power cord and either IDE/Sate cable depending on the interface of the new computer.

      Once installed your newer computer should automatically pickup the new drive and you should have access to all your files. You may need to take over ownership of the files in order to copy them.

  4. I want to transfer my ‘Favorites’ list from my laptop to my new desktop computer. Is there a cable or something by which I can hook the two computers together directly? The USB cables don’t seem to work that way. I’ve heard of Firewire; can they be used like that?

    Thanks,
    Sheri

    1. The best way to transfer your “favorites” or bookmarks is to export them and save the file. Then you can either copy that file onto the new computer over a network, CD, jump drive, external drive ect…

      To do this you need to open Internet Explorer. Find the favorites tab and click the tab. From there on the top you will see “Add to Favorites” directly to the right of this their is a drop down arrow. Select the arrow and choose the Import Export option. Export the file to were you want to save your favorites. Once you move that file over to the new computer “You may be able to just e-mail it to yourself”, you follow the same procedure to import the file. This is for IE8. If you have IE6 I think the process is a little different but very similar.

    1. Fantastic way to go. You can then manually copy over the data you want. You will not be able to transfer over most programs doing it manually.

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