How do I transfer all files from old W10 Computer to new W11 computer?

I recently purchased a new computer with Windows 11. My old computer has W10. I have literally thousands of files and programs on my old computer. Previously when upgradng to a new OS (e.g., W7 -> W10) I was on ONE computer. Now 2 differrent computers.

Most of my files are on separate HDDs. Most (e.g., My Documents and Pictures) are on one large HDD. Of coures I can remove the HDDs and install it on the new computer, but this would be a difficult process. Is there some way to do the transfer with the HDDs in place?? I don't want to install the Windows 10 directory. Regaining access to programs may be problematic but I think that I can recall passwords or generate new ones.

I'd prefer to do the transfer to use a tutorial without purchasing new software, but I'm willing to buy inexpensive software if needed. I have Microsoft Office 365 with OneDrive and can make this an iterative process if needed.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

idgat said:

Programs will need to be re-installed

How much storage space is in the new computer? If the existing files are on HDDs, best way would be to leave then there and get HDD external USB 3.0 enclosures and insert the HDD.

EDIT : Or get a cloud account (NOT OneDrive!!!!!!!) and upload all the files to the cloud (If you're new to this process/sort of thing, OneDrive is NOT for you)

Thanks for those expert suggestions. New computer as a 1 TB SSD and I've also installed a 2 TB HDD, so I have plenty of storage available. The transfer of FILES will be more time consuming than I thought, but doable. And I won't use OneDrive based on your emphatic comment. If I purchase some non-OD cloud space will it enable program transfer also? If not, I'll simply reinstall programs. My computer is somewhat bloated with many unused programs anyway.

[EDIT] - Another thought. I also have some hardware that will allow me to hook a naked HDD to the USB port of the new computer. I may remove the HDD(s) from the old computer and use this hardware to seletively move files from the old computer to new. Any problems here?

I've seen some program-transfer software on the www. I may purchase one if inexpensive or "30-day free trial" then uninstall before the month runs out.

Clone the old computer to the new computer, then upgrade it to Windows 11.

Clone the old computer to the new computer, then upgrade it to Windows 11.

Or upgrade to win11 on the old machine then transfer/clone/migrate to the new.

SIW2 said:

Or upgrade to win11 on the old machine then transfer/clone/migrate to the new.

My old computer wouldn't upgrade to 11 (too old) which is a primary reason for buying the new one. I've patched and upgraded the old one with HDDs and RAM (everything but the MOBO).

If I clone the old computer will the clone keep programs intact and allow transfer to the new one?

attach the new hd/nvme to the old machine and migrate the os and any other partitions onto it.
Then put the new hd/nvme into the new machine and ugrade it win11.

Or plug the old disk into a sata port in the new machine and migrate onto the new nvme. Then upgrade the migrated os to win11.

Diskgenius is handy for this job.