Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Plug in your new Surface Laptop and follow the setup prompts. To bring over files, use Windows Backup if you have an eligible backup, sync files with OneDrive, or copy them manually with an external drive. Microsoft’s PC-to-PC transfer page currently says that feature is no longer available, so don’t rely on that workflow.
Before you start: choose how to move your files
The best method depends on whether you already have a Windows Backup, how much cloud storage you have, and whether you want the files available offline. You can use more than one method—for example, restore supported settings and app pins from Windows Backup, then copy a separate folder with an external drive.
| Method | Useful when | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Backup restore | You already have a backup and use a personal Microsoft account. | Sign in with the same account during setup. Supported settings and app pins may return; applications may still need to be reinstalled. |
| OneDrive | Your files can be synced and your account has enough space. | Check that syncing is complete and confirm available storage. Some files may remain cloud-only until downloaded. |
| External storage | You want an offline, manual copy or have too much data for available cloud storage. | Use a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive with enough capacity. Allow time to copy and verify the files. |
Set up the Surface Laptop
1. Connect power and follow Windows setup
Plug in the Surface Laptop before you begin, then turn it on and follow the on-screen instructions. Setup guides you through account sign-in or creation, available restore options, Windows Hello, Find my device, and updates. If you have a Windows Backup, sign in with the Microsoft account associated with it and select the offered restore option.
2. Finish setup and check for updates
Once you reach the desktop, check for Windows updates and install any that are offered. You can also configure Windows Hello face or fingerprint sign-in if your Surface model supports the option and you want to use it.
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#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
3. Reinstall applications that are missing
A restore can bring back app pins, but that does not mean every application is installed and ready to use. Store apps may be available to restore from their pins; other applications may require you to download and run their installers. Make sure you can access the accounts, app stores, or installers you need.
Option 1: Restore a Windows Backup
Windows Backup is intended for consumer devices using a personal Microsoft account. Microsoft says work or school accounts do not work with the Windows Backup app. If your old PC backed up supported folders and settings, sign in to the new Surface with the same personal account during setup and choose the backup when Windows offers it.
Rank #2
- With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 8 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
Windows Backup can back up selected folders to OneDrive and synchronize supported settings. A restore can return supported settings and app pins; backed-up files are available through OneDrive. It does not guarantee that applications, passwords, credentials, or every setting will transfer, so plan to reinstall apps and sign in to services as needed.
Microsoft’s support guidance accessed in 2026 says a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage. Storage allowances can change, so check your account’s current capacity before relying on a backup for a large file collection.
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Rank #3
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Option 2: Move files with OneDrive
Confirm the old PC has finished syncing
- On the old PC, open the OneDrive folder and make sure the files you want to move are there.
- Wait for syncing to finish. To verify what is available in the cloud, check the files in OneDrive online while signed in to the same account.
- On the Surface, sign in to OneDrive with that account. Your files will be accessible in File Explorer or from the OneDrive icon.
Check your account’s actual available space before moving a large collection. Microsoft’s support guidance accessed in 2026 describes 5 GB of free OneDrive storage and 1 TB with a Microsoft 365 subscription; plan details can change, and the space available to you may differ.
Decide which files need to be stored offline
Files On-Demand can show OneDrive files on the Surface without downloading every file to its drive, and you can choose which folders sync to the device. This can help if local storage is limited. A cloud-only file still needs an internet connection to open; download files you will need without internet access.
Rank #4
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Option 3: Copy files with an external drive
- Connect a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive to the old PC.
- Copy the folders and files you want to move onto the drive. Choose a destination you can identify easily, such as a folder named “Old PC files.”
- Safely eject the drive, connect it to the Surface, and copy the files into the locations where you want to keep them.
- Open a selection of the copied files on the Surface and check that important folders and documents are present before treating the transfer as complete.
The time required depends on the number and size of the files. An external drive needs enough usable capacity for the items you select; if your cloud space is insufficient or you prefer not to sync over the internet, an external USB drive or portable SSD is an optional way to carry out this manual copy.
Why not use Microsoft’s PC-to-PC transfer workflow?
Microsoft’s Surface setup guidance points readers to transfer instructions, but the linked PC-to-PC transfer page carries this notice: “This feature is no longer available. Use Windows Backup and Restore instead.” Because that page explicitly marks the feature unavailable, its described pairing workflow should not be treated as a dependable current transfer option.
Best Value
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
What may not transfer automatically
Do not assume that moving files or restoring a backup will reproduce the old PC in full. Microsoft’s page for the unavailable PC-to-PC feature lists installed applications, saved passwords and sign-in credentials, OneDrive files, BitLocker-encrypted drives, and system and operating-system files as exclusions from that described copy. Those exclusions are not a guarantee about every current restore path, but they are a useful reminder to handle these items separately.
Quick Recap
- Applications: Check the Microsoft Store or the app maker’s site for installers, and make sure you can sign in to any required accounts.
- Passwords and credentials: Confirm that you can sign in to important services on the new PC. A file copy is not a substitute for credentials.
- Encrypted drives: Make sure you have the information needed to unlock any BitLocker-encrypted drive before attempting to access its files.
- OneDrive files: Confirm they have synced to the account, or choose another copy method for files you need independently of the cloud.
If something is missing
- The restore option did not appear: Check that you signed in during setup with the same personal Microsoft account associated with the backup. Windows Backup does not support work or school accounts through its app.
- OneDrive files are not showing: Check the old PC’s OneDrive folder and the online OneDrive view to see whether syncing completed and whether the files are in the expected account.
- A file appears but will not open offline: It may be cloud-only. Connect to the internet to open or download it, or choose the relevant OneDrive folder for local syncing.
- An application is missing: Restore or reinstall it from the Microsoft Store if available, or download its installer from the application provider.
- The external-drive copy looks incomplete: Reconnect the drive to the old PC, compare the selected folders with the copy, and transfer missing files before erasing or retiring the old PC.
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