Transferring files from old to new computer

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

Have an older hp desk top computer and just bought a new all in one Dell. Has anyone used a transfer program that you buy to accomplish this? Such as laplink PC mover? Thanks!

Susan345 · ‎08-19-2019

My approach has always been to transfer all the files/and or programs to an external hard drive then copy to the new computer.

I always try to keep a back up of everything so I have several external drives. A flash drive will work too.

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

Since they were on a backup, I just copied.

The underlining programs were usually new on the new PC. A good time to update.

Caffeina · ‎03-09-2010

Windows has its own tools for doing that built into the operating system. I just turn on file sharing for the files or folders I want to transfer, and use the file explorer to move them from one computer to another over my network.

If you don't have a network, a backup drive would be more useful than buying software.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

@Susan345 wrote:
My approach has always been to transfer all the files/and or programs to an external hard drive then copy to the new computer.

I always try to keep a back up of everything so I have several external drives. A flash drive will work too.

I do the same as Susan. It is the easiest, IMO, as you want to have your stuff backed up anyway.

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

Thanks for all your comments, but I am so clueless when it comes to transferring, have never done it. I don't have an external hard drive or flash drive or backup that I know of. Wouldn't even know where to plug it in or whatever you need to do.

My network is AT&T, if that's what is meant, but don't know what the first step in sharing files would be or where to look.

My DD is coming to visit tomorrow, so will see what she can do, maybe she can take me through it so I know how.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

@HerRoyaLioness wrote:
Thanks for all your comments, but I am so clueless when it comes to transferring, have never done it. I don't have an external hard drive or flash drive or backup that I know of. Wouldn't even know where to plug it in or whatever you need to do.
My network is AT&T, if that's what is meant, but don't know what the first step in sharing files would be or where to look.

My DD is coming to visit tomorrow, so will see what she can do, maybe she can take me through it so I know how.

It's never good to not have at least one copy of your data. Now is the perfect time to learn how to do this. There are videos at YouTube for everything. I'd encourage you to watch and learn how to do this important task. I had a computer die on me one day and thank goodness I had done a backup 2 weeks earlier.

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

I guess I should say that I ALWAYS have paper copies of anything and everything that is of any importance on my computer - I guess I consider that my backup, but will look into how to do it another way, but will never quit making paper copies, it's my security.

I'm retired and the things on my computer are mostly recipes, craft things, games and other things I find interesting. I also use my ipad a lot.

I guess no one has used the software to help transfer, so will just go by some reviews online. It's a lot cheaper than having The Geek Squad come and do it!

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@HerRoyaLioness wrote:
I guess I should say that I ALWAYS have paper copies of anything and everything that is of any importance on my computer - I guess I consider that my backup, but will look into how to do it another way, but will never quit making paper copies, it's my security.

I'm retired and the things on my computer are mostly recipes, craft things, games and other things I find interesting. I also use my ipad a lot.

I guess no one has used the software to help transfer, so will just go by some reviews online. It's a lot cheaper than having The Geek Squad come and do it!

@HerRoyaLioness

I have to be my own Geek Squad. I use a external hard drive.

I would recommend a Western Digital My Passport Drive USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 with 1TB of storage.

You will need to buy a longer cable to connect the drive to your computer.Amazon sells a 9 ft cablefor $7.70.

I buy a small hard shell case. You can find it sold with the drive.

There are videos showing how to transfer data with a hard drive and ftle explorer.