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To move to a new Windows laptop, transfer files with OneDrive or an external storage device, and use Windows Backup to restore supported folders and settings. Do not count on a full PC-to-PC migration: Microsoft says its documented transfer feature is no longer available. Reinstall apps and sign in to your accounts separately, then verify the new laptop before erasing or retiring the old one.
Choose the right transfer method
Pick a method based on where your files are, whether you have reliable internet, and how much data you need to move. Windows Backup is a separate backup-and-restore route for supported content and preferences; it is not a guaranteed copy of the old laptop’s entire installation.
| Method | Best suited to | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| OneDrive | Files you want available through your Microsoft account, including across devices | Requires internet access and enough OneDrive storage. Only files that are in OneDrive or synced there will be available. |
| External storage | A manual, offline copy of selected files and folders | The files must fit on the storage device. You need to connect it to both laptops and copy files yourself. |
| Windows Backup and restore | Supported folders and settings included in the Windows backup and setup experience | Requires a Microsoft account. Included items and the restore experience depend on the Windows device and setup flow. |
Microsoft’s migration overview describes OneDrive and external storage for moving files. Its Windows backup and recovery overview explains the separate backup-and-restore path.
Before you move anything
- Identify what needs to move. Check the folders where you keep documents, photos, videos, and other important files. Include files outside the usual folders, such as items saved directly to another drive.
- Check how much data you need. For OneDrive, confirm your available storage. For an external device, make sure its capacity is sufficient for the selected files.
- Protect your data. Keep an independent backup if possible, and leave the old laptop intact until you have checked the new one.
- Make sure you can access your accounts. You may need your Microsoft account and other account credentials to restore content, access cloud files, or reinstall apps. Confirm that you can use account recovery methods before setting the old laptop aside.
Move files with OneDrive
OneDrive works when the files you need are synced to your account and your available storage is sufficient. Microsoft’s OneDrive migration instructions recommend confirming online that the files are present before relying on them.
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- On the old laptop, select the files to sync. Put them in the OneDrive folder or use OneDrive to sync the folders you want to move.
- Confirm the upload. Sign in to OneDrive online and check that the files you need appear there. Do not assume a file is safely available just because it appears in a local folder.
- On the new laptop, sign in to OneDrive with the same Microsoft account. Open synced files in File Explorer or from the OneDrive notification-area icon.
- Enable folder backup if appropriate. Microsoft also describes setting up folder backup on the new PC; review which folders you want protected and synced.
Microsoft Support lists 5 GB of free OneDrive storage with a Microsoft account and 1 TB with a Microsoft 365 subscription on its migration page; plan amounts can change, so check the current allowance in your account. If your files exceed the available space, choose selected files to sync or use external storage for some or all of the transfer.
Move files with external storage
Use an external storage device when you want to copy files manually or do not want the transfer to depend on cloud synchronization. Microsoft names USB drives, SD cards, and external hard drives as options in its external-storage instructions.
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- Connect the storage device to the old laptop.
- Copy the files and folders you selected to the device. Keep their folder structure where that will make them easier to find.
- Safely disconnect the device, then connect it to the new laptop.
- Copy the files into the folders where you want to use them, such as Documents or Pictures.
- Open a sample of the copied files on the new laptop to check that they work.
Choose storage capacity based on the amount of data you plan to copy. If not everything fits, prioritize the files you need or make multiple transfers; do not assume a particular drive capacity or model is required.
Restore supported folders and settings with Windows Backup
Windows Backup can include selected folders such as Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music, along with settings and other items listed in Microsoft’s backup experience. Microsoft says using Windows Backup requires a Microsoft account. This is a way to restore supported content and preferences, not a promise that the new laptop will become a complete clone of the old installation.
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- On the old laptop, open Windows Backup and review the folders, settings, and other items available to back up.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account you intend to use on the new laptop and complete the backup for the items you want.
- During setup of the new laptop, sign in with that same account and check the available restore experience.
- After setup, review the restored folders and settings. Copy over any missing files using OneDrive or external storage.
The exact restore options depend on the new laptop’s Windows experience. Check the setup flow rather than assuming every setting or file will be restored.
Do not rely on PC-to-PC transfer being available
Microsoft’s page titled “Transfer your files and settings to a new Windows PC” opens with this status: “This feature is no longer available. Use Windows Backup and Restore instead.” The PC-to-PC transfer page still documents how the feature was intended to work, but its requirements should not be read as a guarantee that the option will appear on your laptop.
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If the transfer option is presented during setup, Microsoft’s documented experience pairs the computers using a PC name and one-time code over the same Wi-Fi or LAN. The old computer can run Windows 10 or 11; the new computer needs Windows 11 version 2024 or later, a Microsoft account during setup, and no existing backup on that account. Microsoft says the documented feature is unavailable in China and currently supports most Intel- and AMD-based PCs. Check the current setup flow and Microsoft’s page for eligibility before planning around it.
Microsoft’s documented PC-to-PC transfer includes personal files and personalization settings, but excludes:
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- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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- System and operating-system files
- OneDrive files
- Installed applications
- Saved passwords and sign-in credentials
- BitLocker-encrypted drives
Microsoft recommends updating both computers and keeping them powered during the documented transfer. If you have BitLocker-encrypted content, use an authenticated access or backup method appropriate to that data; do not disable encryption just to make a transfer work.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Reinstall apps and sign in to accounts
Plan to reinstall desktop applications on the new laptop or access them through their normal web or account-based service. The documented PC-to-PC transfer does not copy installed apps, saved passwords, or sign-in credentials. Sign in to OneDrive separately to access its files, which are also excluded from that transfer.
Before giving up access to the old laptop, check that you can sign in to essential services and reach any recovery methods they require. This matters especially for accounts protected by two-step verification or credentials stored only on the old device.
Verify the new laptop before retiring the old one
- Open important documents, photos, and other files from their new locations.
- Check key folders, including any folders you synced or copied manually.
- Confirm that essential apps are installed or accessible and that you can sign in.
- Check that OneDrive has finished syncing any files you expect to use.
- Keep the old laptop or an independent backup until you are satisfied that the files and access you need are available on the new device.
Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; after that date, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. If the old laptop runs Windows 10, include that support status in your decision about how long to keep using it, while still preserving your data until the transfer is verified.
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