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Use Apple’s Windows Migration Assistant to copy supported files and settings from your PC to your MacBook. It does not transfer Windows application programs: install Mac-compatible versions separately, then check each app’s sign-in, license, and data-migration requirements. Keep the PC unchanged until you have verified your files and essential workflows on the Mac.
What transfers—and what does not
Migration Assistant copies supported information into corresponding Mac folders and apps; it does not delete information from the PC or replace macOS. Apple lists items such as contacts, calendars, email, music, photos, browser bookmarks, documents, and selected settings. The exact items available depend on the source and destination systems.
Windows application programs are not listed as a transferred category. A Windows installer or application binary is not a Mac app. You may need to download the publisher’s macOS version or find it in the Mac App Store, then sign in and check whether your existing license or subscription covers both operating systems. License portability is determined by the publisher and plan.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Data and installation are separate: some documents, email, bookmarks, and account information may transfer even though the corresponding app must be installed again. For specialist software, games, peripherals, or apps with local databases, check the publisher’s Mac compatibility and export instructions before changing or retiring the PC. Apple says many familiar apps have Mac versions and gives Microsoft Office as an example, but that does not establish compatibility or license terms for every app. Apple’s PC-to-Mac Migration Assistant guide explains the supported transfer process; Apple’s Mac app guidance describes finding familiar apps.
#1 Best Overall
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Choose a transfer method
| Route | Best suited to | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Migration Assistant | Supported files, account data, and settings | Guided transfer that places selected items in Mac folders and apps; requires the correct Windows utility and a working connection. |
| External storage or file sharing | Important files when migration cannot be resolved, or selective manual copying | You choose and copy files yourself; it does not install applications or automatically migrate app-specific data. |
Apple does not publish comparative speed or success-rate figures for these routes. If an app depends on a local database or other specialized data, follow that app publisher’s export and import directions rather than assuming either route will move it correctly.
Prepare both computers
- Update Windows and macOS, and quit open apps on both computers.
- Put the computers near each other and turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If Apple’s migration flow prompts you because an older PC lacks Bluetooth Low Energy, a Bluetooth adapter may be required; it is not a standard requirement for every transfer.
- If the Mac runs macOS 13 or earlier, or you are unsure about the connection setup, connect both computers to the same network or directly with Ethernet.
- Temporarily turn off antivirus, firewall, or VPN software on either computer if present, following Apple’s preparation guidance.
- Confirm the Windows Migration Assistant version for the Mac’s macOS before downloading it. Apple’s current list gives version 3.2.0.0 for Windows 10 or later to macOS Tahoe 26, Sequoia 15, or Sonoma 14; version 2.4.5.0 for Windows 7 or later to Ventura 13 or Monterey 12; and version 2.3.1.0 for Windows 7 or later to Big Sur 11. The list also includes older utilities for older macOS releases, so check Apple’s live compatibility details for your Mac and region.
See Apple’s current transfer instructions and compatibility list before installing the Windows utility; these version details can change.
Rank #2
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Transfer with Migration Assistant
- Open Migration Assistant on the Mac. During initial setup, choose the option to transfer information from a Windows PC. If setup is complete, open Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant, or find it with Spotlight.
- Open the matching Windows Migration Assistant on the PC. Download the version that matches the Mac’s operating system from Apple’s compatibility page.
- Choose the PC as the source. On the Mac, select “From a Windows PC.” Follow the prompts on both computers.
- Confirm the connection code. When prompted, enter the code displayed on the Mac into the Windows utility.
- Select the information to copy. Review the available categories and choose what you want to migrate, then start the transfer.
- Let the transfer finish. Large transfers can take hours and may appear to pause occasionally. Keep both computers connected and wait for the completion screen.
Where migrated information appears
Apple’s transfer guide maps supported material to Mac apps and folders. The available categories vary, but its documented destinations include:
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- People and schedules: Contacts and appointments go to Contacts and Calendar. Outlook tasks go to Reminders when migrating to macOS 13 or later.
- Media: Music, podcasts, audiobooks, films, and TV programs go to their corresponding Apple apps.
- Browser information: Supported browser home page and bookmarks go to Safari.
- Files and photos: Documents and other home-folder files go to the Mac’s Home folder. Photos go to the Home folder, where you can import them manually or into Photos. Certain non-system files from the PC’s system disk and other disks can go to the Mac user’s Shared folder when Migration Assistant is run as a PC administrator.
- Selected settings: Some desktop, language, location, and Wi-Fi settings may also transfer.
Finish setup and verify the move
- Log in to the migrated Mac account using the password set during migration.
- Open the destination apps and folders to check that important files, contacts, calendars, and media are present and usable.
- If you are migrating another Windows user account, sign in to that account on the PC and repeat the transfer for it.
- Authorize the Mac for Apple purchases before syncing or playing content downloaded from Apple.
- Install Mac versions of the applications you need, sign in, and test important workflows. Keep the Windows PC intact until those checks are complete.
If Migration Assistant cannot complete the transfer
First confirm that you used the correct Windows utility and prepared the computers as Apple specifies. Apple also suggests using Windows chkdsk to look for disk issues that may interfere with migration. If the problem remains, copy important files using an external storage device or file sharing instead.
Rank #3
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
For a manual copy, identify the folders and files you need, copy them to storage both computers can access, and then place them in suitable Mac folders. A portable external SSD is one possible option; choose capacity for the data you intend to move and connectors that work with both computers. Manual copying does not install apps, preserve every setting, or guarantee migration of app-specific databases, so check those separately with the relevant publisher.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 15.3-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Rank #4
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
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