Migrate to new computer

3DPiper · 08 Oct 2016

My daughter just upgraded her Surface Pro 2 to a Surface Pro 4.
Is there an easy way to migrate all her info/programs/data to the new computer?

dalchina · 08 Oct 2016

There's no free way I know of.

Commercial programs:
Laplink - the cheaper option uses disk imaging to transfer programs.
Easeus ToDo PCTrans

The cost of these is for a one-off transfer.
You need to weigh up the time to resintall vs the cost + unfamiliarity - learning curve.

I have used Laplink's software with 95% success for several 100 programs 3 times.

Taking a different approach:
Use a disk imaging program such as Macrium Reflect (commercial version) and attempt a Restore to new hardware.
ReDeploy a system to new hardware

Note: all of these require large enough external storage of suitable type to connect to your devices.

alphanumeric · 08 Oct 2016

I was going to say "Windows east transfer" but it looks like that was discontinued with Windows 10. Have a look at this, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Easy_Transfer It states "Microsoft has chosen to provide a free version of Laplink's PCmover Express as an alternative to WET. Not sure if that helps you though?

Mark Phelps · 08 Oct 2016

From what I recall (it has been a while, though) the Windows Easy Transfer which MS "acquired" from Alohabob PC Relocator migrated apps, data and settings.

Like dalchina, I have used Laplink's PCMover and can confirm is works for MOST of the apps. If you only have a couple, it's probably not worth the money as you have to buy the PRO version to migrate apps.

One nice feature of the Laplink product is that, if you already have an image backup of the OLD PC (I make mine using Macrium Reflect), you can "mount" that image in their product and do selective app restores from it.

Cliff S · 09 Oct 2016

To do data is easy:
just turn on both PCs,
make sure both are connected to your home network, either via LAN or WLAN,
then either set up a Homegroup(not really needed for most users) or...
just make sure Network Discovery(Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings) is turned on,

on both PCs, and they can see each other in File Explorer.

Then you can either Copy to or drag & drop files from one PC to the other.

And if you have both connected to your router via LAN transfer rate is 1GB/s, and the time it will take is only dependent on the read/write time, if you use normal hard disk or SSDs.

Whatphoeb · 09 Oct 2016

The answer to this question used to be a free Microsoft utility called Windows Easy Transfer but it is is not available in Windows 10, EaseUS has also entered the market with an alternative Windows 10 Easy Transfer Tool, which is also a free download for home users. You can try it, named EaseUS Todo PCTrans.

3DPiper · 09 Oct 2016

Would it be better to just backup her entire system and restore it to the new system?

Something like this:

Move/Transfer Windows 10 to A New Computer with Dissimilar Hardware

dalchina · 09 Oct 2016

Taking a different approach:
Use a disk imaging program such as Macrium Reflect (commercial version) and attempt a Restore to new hardware.
ReDeploy a system to new hardware

I've never tried it- so am interested if anyone has experience of this.

Kbird · 09 Oct 2016

I have not tried Backupper or Macrium's Restore to diff. Hardware as they both require the paid version , so it would be good to hear experiences of that , though I can say Macrium Free is very useful for me.

Does not signing in with Her MS$oft Account not allow Her to backup Her Settings and Apps ? or does She have a tonne of programs too?

I am fairly sure if OneDrive is setup that you can at least save some of your config to the OneDrive Folder and Win10 will pull that info down to the New system ? but maybe that only works if the same Surface? at least it seemed to work with my Surface 3 when M$ had to replace mine under Warranty a few months back.

KB