my ideal world

Big John3 · 21 Oct 2020

A Microsoft supported program that lets you connect (example) desk top computer to a new lap top and seamless transfers your desk top icons. Lets say you use a hdmi or usb cable between the two, opens up and says 'transfer' and moves files and data and desk top stuff to the new computer. Agreed you should have to sign in to the programs, reenter pass words, on first use but thats it. Should be available to the novice dummy like me. Maybe it could self destroy after the deed is done. Yes, I still believe in Santa.

dalchina · 22 Oct 2020

Transfering dsktop icons if shortcuts alone would be meaningless without their destinations, as the shortcuts need to point somewhere.

There are 2 3rd party programs I used some years ago, still available and current. They can do it like that, but a neater way is to use a disk image of the source PC as source for the transfer of programs, data and profiles.

In many cases the program licenses were transferred too.

Otherwise people have reported success in simply moving an entire Windows installation on a disk from one PC to a different PC (assuming basic compatibility e.g. both are configured as UEFI and can run a 64 bits O/S).

1-off use license, a huge time-saver if you have lots of programs. With just a few, manual installation is more appropriate.

Data- either sync (e.g. Onedrive) or simply copy manually one way or another- over a network if you wish. (Networking and sharing)

OldNavyGuy · 22 Oct 2020

Transferring Desktop icons is pretty simple.

They are stored in two places on your system -

C:\Users\Your User Name\Desktop

C:\Users\Public\Desktop

Copy them to folders with similar names on a USB Flash drive, so you'll recall where they should go on the new system.

As long as the locations they point to have the same path, you would just have to arrange them in the order you prefer.

There are also tools to migrate user profiles to a new system.

One example -

USMTGUI Home User Prices - EhlerTech

Big John3 · 22 Oct 2020

thank you for your response.

I am uneasy about what I don't know. my source computer disk has 212gb used. the target when I get is has a 512 gb disk. I was thinking about a 1 tb flash drive to do the deed. since both are w 10 the file structure is the same. what happens with "copy command" with duplicate files???? is it that easy????

I will probably try to find a high schooler kid to help.