How to Move Your Files, Settings, and Programs to a New Computer

The fastest way depends on what you're moving and which operating systems you have

Moving everything from an old PC to a new one usually takes one of three routes: using built-in Windows transfer tools, connecting the computers directly with a cable, or moving files through cloud storage or an external drive. Which one works best depends on whether you're keeping Windows on both machines, how much data you have, and whether your old computer still turns on. If both computers run Windows 10 or 11, the built-in migration tool is usually fastest. If you're switching to a Mac or Linux, or if your old PC won't start, you'll need a different approach.

The time it takes ranges from under an hour for small transfers over a direct cable to several hours or days if you're uploading to cloud storage. Before you start any transfer, back up your old computer — data transfer sometimes fails partway through, and a backup means you can recover files if something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

Windows 10 and 11 include built-in transfer tools in Settings > System > Recovery that can move files, settings, and a list of installed programs automatically.
A direct cable connection between two PCs (using a USB transfer cable or Ethernet) is faster than cloud storage for large amounts of data.
External drives and cloud storage work when the old computer won't start or when you're moving to a different operating system.
Programs usually need to be reinstalled on the new computer rather than transferred, because they contain system-specific files and Registry entries.
Back up your old computer before starting any transfer, in case something goes wrong during the process.

Using Windows built-in transfer tools on both PCs

If both computers run Windows 10 or 11, you can use the Settings app to move files and some settings without third-party software. On the new computer, go to Settings > System > Recovery and look for "Reset this PC" or "Transfer your data" (the exact name varies by Windows version). This tool will walk you through connecting to your old computer on the same network and selecting what to move.

The built-in tool transfers user files, some Windows settings, and a list of installed programs — though the programs themselves won't run on the new computer until you reinstall them. It does not move program settings or data stored inside program folders. This method works best when both computers are on the same Wi-Fi network and the old computer is still working. If the old PC is broken or won't start, skip to the external drive or cloud storage section below.

Connecting two PCs directly with a cable

A direct connection is faster than network transfer for large files. You can use a USB transfer cable (sometimes called a "bridge" or "data transfer" cable) or connect both computers to the same Ethernet network switch. Plug the USB cable into both machines, and Windows will recognize the connection as a new drive. You can then drag files from the old computer's drive to the new one, or use File Explorer to copy entire folders at once.

This method is straightforward but requires you to manually select which files and folders to move — it does not transfer programs or Windows settings automatically. It works even if the old computer is damaged, as long as the hard drive is still readable. If you're moving a very large amount of data (more than 100 GB), a direct cable connection will be noticeably faster than uploading to cloud storage and downloading again. A 100 GB transfer over USB typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Moving data through cloud storage or an external drive

If you don't have a transfer cable or both computers aren't on the same network, you can move files through OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or another cloud service. Sign into your cloud account on the old computer, upload the folders you want to keep, then sign in on the new computer and download them. This method is slow for large amounts of data but works from anywhere and doesn't require any cables.

An external hard drive or USB flash drive is another option: plug it into the old computer, copy your files to it, then plug it into the new computer and copy them back. External drives are faster than cloud upload for files larger than a few gigabytes, and they don't depend on your internet speed. Make sure the external drive has enough space for everything you're moving, and check that it's formatted in a way both computers can read (NTFS works for Windows-to-Windows transfers). For a 100 GB transfer, expect 30 minutes to an hour with an external drive, compared to several hours or days with cloud storage depending on your upload speed.

What happens to programs when you transfer to a new PC

Programs almost never transfer cleanly from one computer to another, even if both run Windows. Each program stores pieces of itself in different places — some files go in the Program Files folder, others go in the Windows system folders, and settings go in the Registry (a database Windows uses to store configuration). When you move just the Program Files folder to a new computer, the program won't find its system files or settings, and it usually won't run.

The practical solution is to reinstall programs on the new computer. Write down which programs you use (you can find a list in Settings > Apps > Installed apps), then download and install them fresh on the new machine. For programs you paid for, have your license keys or account information ready. If a program stored important data — like email, photos, or documents — inside its folder, copy that specific folder to the new computer before reinstalling the program, then point the program to that folder in its settings.

Transferring to a Mac or Linux computer

Windows and Mac use different file systems and program formats, so you can't use the built-in Windows transfer tool. Instead, move your files through an external drive, cloud storage, or a direct network connection. Connect both computers to the same network, then use File Sharing (on Mac) or Samba (on Linux) to browse the Windows computer's folders from the Mac or Linux machine. Copy the files you want to keep to the new computer's drive.

Programs will not transfer at all — you'll need to find Mac or Linux versions of the software you use and install them fresh. Some programs have versions for multiple operating systems (like Firefox, Chrome, or LibreOffice), while others are Windows-only. Check the software maker's website before you buy a new computer to make sure your essential programs run on Mac or Linux.

Backing up before you start

Before you move anything, back up your old computer to an external drive or cloud storage. Data transfer sometimes fails partway through, or you might accidentally delete something during the move. A backup means you can recover files if something goes wrong. Use Windows Backup (Settings > System > Backup) or a third-party tool like Macrium Reflect or Veeam to create a full image of your old computer's drive.

Keep the backup on an external drive even after the transfer is complete. You may need to retrieve a file you forgot to move, or recover something from the old computer months later. External drives are cheap enough that keeping a backup costs very little and takes only a few hours to create, depending on how much data you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Windows license to the new computer?

If you have a retail license (not one that came with the computer), you can deactivate it on the old PC and activate it on the new one through Settings > System > Activation. OEM licenses (bundled with the computer when you bought it) are tied to that specific machine and cannot be transferred. Contact Microsoft support if you're unsure which type you have.

What if my old computer won't turn on?

If the hard drive is still readable, you can remove it and connect it to the new computer using an external USB adapter (called a "SATA-to-USB" or "dock"). This lets you copy files directly without turning on the old computer. If the drive is damaged and won't show up, data recovery services can sometimes retrieve files, but they're expensive.

How long does a full transfer usually take?

A network transfer of 100 GB typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. A direct USB cable connection is faster — usually 15 to 30 minutes for the same amount. Cloud upload and download are much slower and depend on your internet speed; 100 GB could take several hours or even days.

Do I need to format the old computer's drive after the transfer?

No, but you may want to. If you're selling or recycling the old computer, wipe the drive using a tool like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) or Windows' built-in reset feature to make sure your personal data can't be recovered. If you're keeping it as a backup, leave the drive as-is.

Will my email and browser history transfer?

Email usually won't transfer automatically — you'll need to set up your email account again in Outlook, Thunderbird, or whatever email program you use. Browser history, bookmarks, and passwords can transfer if you sign into your browser account (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) on the new computer. Some programs let you export settings as a file you can import on the new machine; check the program's menu for an export or backup option.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.