Best way to transfer files and programs between two Win 10 PCs?

I just received a new Win 10 PC with a 500 Gb SSD for my primary drive (OS and programs) and an internal 1Tb conventional HDD for my data (library).

I would like to transfer my programs and files from my existing Win 10 PC to my new PC. My existing PC has two conventional HDDs -- both are 500Mb. The C drive has everything and the E drive is a clone.

Both the new and old PCs are running Win 10 Pro x64.

What programs do you recommend? I do have Macrium Reflect that may do the job. I'll be checking with their excellent support this week.

Thanks,

Louis

Did you pay for Macrium Reflect or using the free version? I would make an image of the hard drive of the new computer with Macrium Reflect, and then use the re-deploy feature of Macrium Reflect (paid version) to deploy the image of the old computer to the new computer:
Re-deploying to new hardware - KnowledgeBase - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

I have the paid version. I think it's outstanding!

Louis

Dear LCDR,

I've read the re-deploying article you cite. It looks promising. I've sent in a RFI to Macrium to get their advice.

It looks like there are several alternative routes to get the job done -- short of reinstalling a dozen programs.

Thanks for the advice.

Louis (1LT USA)

I would not trust a redeploy. Installing the programs will be safer. And transferring data files should be easy.

whs said:

I would not trust a redeploy. Installing the programs will be safer. And transferring data files should be easy.

Why not? That's exactly what it is there for.

Louisaz said:

Louis (1LT USA)

Although there is one concern - if you have programs that you purchased single computer licenses for, like Microsoft Office, it will be illegal to keep those installed on two computers at the same time - so you might have to pick and choose which of those types of licenses you keep installed on which computer - to stay legal.

I assume you are 1LT active duty? Your military computer network provider (Navy and Marine is NMCI) probably offers a Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP). You can purchase Microsoft Office for $11.00.

Dear LCDR,

I was a 1LT on active duty -- during the Vietnam era -- but that's another story. I certainly don't want to duplicate a single-use license program. I'm currently using numerous programs that may require re-installation (Windows Office 2010, Adobe Illustrator, Sketchup, etc.).

Louis

NavyLCDR said:

Although there is one concern - if you have programs that you purchased single computer licenses for, like Microsoft Office, it will be illegal to keep those installed on two computers at the same time - so you might have to pick and choose which of those types of licenses you keep installed on which computer - to stay legal.

I assume you are 1LT active duty? Your military computer network provider (Navy and Marine is NMCI) probably offers a Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP). You can purchase Microsoft Office for $11.00.

I've been looking at Laplink PC Mover. It looks promising. What I'm having trouble learning is if it (and similar programs) will move programs between two Win 10 PCs. I would not run both PCs at the same time. I would use my old Win 10 PC as a backup and only use it if my new Win 10 PC is on the fritz.

Thanks for your advice.

Louis

dalchina said:

Another approach assuming you have installed Windows:

There are two programs you might like to consider designed specifically for this:
Laplink PC Mover and Easeus ToDo PCTrans.
I have successfully used the former to 'reinstall' 200+ programs from 1 PC to another several times from one Window edition to another, and from one instance of a Windows edition to another.

The latter is newer, and comes from a company with a strong reputation (disk imaging/backup software and partition manager e.g.)

Naturally this is not intended to allow you to install and run two licensed copies where this would be invalid, and many programs will be installed but not licensed when so transferred.

Exceptions: large programs (games?) and complex programs (AV/Firewall) should not be transferred.

Transfers are selective.