OS migration tools

Hi everyone,

I bought a new computer with Windows and wonder if there are some tools to move all of my settings, files and applications to a new one.

Maybe someone has used any of applications which move all of these things?

I heard about PCmover, Zinstall, PCtrans, they are so different, which one to choose?

Thanks in advance!

I'm sure people will have recommendations, but I don't trust anything like that. I would much rather perform a clean install on a new computer, knowing that I am installing the latest drivers and latest versions of my applications. There aren't many settings that need to be changed, so the entire process should take two hours or less, if you plan ahead. Well worth it, in my opinion, and gives you the best chance at a stable, efficient system.

Thanks, DeaconFrost ,
The point is that I'm also looking for some kind of deployment apps which could scan my old PC, collect the list of the apps, and then download them from the official websites and install on the new PC.

You know it's like in many companies when you need to deploy something you just upload the MSI file and then it installs on specified PCs. But this would be for home users.

There is software, Ninite, I think, that will reinstall a list of freeware apps, but it won't do all apps you might want. The time it would take to find and configure something like that would be far longer than just doing a usual clean install. I maintain a flash drive with the latest drivers and apps for my three systems. I update over time, so whenever I need or want to do a clean install, I'm ready to go.

Unfortunately Windows Easy Transfer is not available in Windows 10, EaseUS has a product called Todo PC Trans. The company offers a free version, Todo PC Trans can transfer applications, music, pictures, and documents. what I like most is it support migrate OS without reinstall. Free PC transfer/migration software - EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free

Whatphoeb said:

Unfortunately Windows Easy Transfer is not available in Windows 10, EaseUS has a product called Todo PC Trans. The company offers a free version, Todo PC Trans can transfer applications, music, pictures, and documents. what I like most is it support migrate OS without reinstall. Free PC transfer/migration software - EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free

Free version supports up to 2 apps, I need more... and how can I move my files into the same partitions/folders on the new one?

You might also try Macrium reflect. They have free version (just google for it or download from Softpedia). Ver 6 (free) may be limited, but they also offer previous version.

I trust reviews and recommendations from Gizmo techsupport site - you can check their site for recommendation.
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teresawang said:

Yes, if you do a clean installation of windows, what about the personal settings? With the technology improved, it is pretty easy for you to migrate OS to HDD. I used this tutorial migrating my OS once, and it works out. But I just finish it within one computer. If you want to migrate it to the new computer, I suggest you backup the OS, and do a universal restore, then you got the exact system like the old one.
As you mentioned, you want to do a check of the old PC, the program I used happen to has a function named check error. Maybe you can have a try.
Kind Regards.

good idea but I don't want my main system located on a flash stick drive. I just want to have a new clean system and don't spend a lot of time installing all my apps

artemp00 said:

good idea but I don't want my main system located on a flash stick drive. I just want to have a new clean system and don't spend a lot of time installing all my apps

I'm not sure what you mean, but Macrium doesn't store your system on a flash drive. It creates a copy of the system and moves it to a new drive or computer. This will copy all of your programs, but it will also bring over all drivers as well. The time spent cleaning up (assuming you went to a new computer) could be spent doing the clean install.

Many people have said the same thing as you, until they actually do the clean install themselves. I don't understand the fear of it, or the thought that it takes "too long" to install all your programs. I'll say it again, that with a little planning, it can be a simple, quick process.

DeaconFrost said:

I'm not sure what you mean, but Macrium doesn't store your system on a flash drive. It creates a copy of the system and moves it to a new drive or computer. This will copy all of your programs, but it will also bring over all drivers as well. The time spent cleaning up (assuming you went to a new computer) could be spent doing the clean install.

Many people have said the same thing as you, until they actually do the clean install themselves. I don't understand the fear of it, or the thought that it takes "too long" to install all your programs. I'll say it again, that with a little planning, it can be a simple, quick process.

Agree (mostly) with you. Drive imaging software is most useful as a backup (of a system), that you can implement if something goes wrong. Of course, one should do the imaging of the fresh installed system. Then you are up and running in a matter of minutes instead of hours.