Hi all ! So I have a very old computer. On W10 and I just go a mini pc with windows 11 pro. Now... I need to move all data (programs, files, settings, etc) to the new PC. This pc even handles administrative software for the company. So a full reinstall its a pain in the... Is there a way to do it? If so please let me know. Thanks for the help.
Pure physically, of course, you can, but some Windows 10 settings aren't available in any way in Windows 11. Therefore, it is not wise to transfer all settings one by one. Also, you cannot transfer all drivers one by one, because you have two different computers and at least some drivers doesn't fit.. If you transfer registry settings, you're sure to have a lot of problems later, so it's a good idea to reinstall all your drivers, programs, and other apps on a clean disk. You can only transfer/keep your files and folders and other personal data, but not Windows all components and settings and drivers. And believe, that this is the fastest way to get a new and completely clean and functional computer with fully clean and functional content. Personally, I am such a lazy person that I would do an absolutely clean installation anyway. In any case, it is the fastest and most secure way.
If you are OK with staying in Windows 10 in your new PC, you can try using one of the the many available backup software's that allows you to restore a backup to a different PC hardware wise. Tried this myself with a Windows 10 PC that died on me a couple years ago. Obviously you would need to do a full backup of your new PC's Windows 11 and additional software (just in case things go south) and also a full backup of your Windows 10 PC that would be the one "restored" to the new PC. My 2 cents.... Good luck and take care JCC2
Excuse me, it's a very Bad idea Move old junk into new computer Just do fresh Install Install only necessary apps
I do some pc servicing for a local butcher and his pc is connected to the scaling and cash register systems, i can imagine in some scenarios that just creating a full system (drive) backup and restoring it to a new pc is the easiest way to achieve the transfer. For people who know what to do all options are open.
Hello, This process is a life saver with so many legacy programs that are no longer available / supported and have cost effective replacement. Specially for a running business, new software system implementation is just nightmare. Staff training itself is a costly challenge. However, the OP wants to Migrate from his Running Windows 10 OS to New PC Windows 11 OS. Hard disk cloning would replacement the Windows 11 with Windows 10 Thanks.
And when done, upgrade to 11? There is no software that migrates all installed stuff only, not that i am aware of, And let's hope the legacy programs can run on 11.
I've done this a few times. More or less you clone the entire existing drive to a new drive (then expand the partition because its likely a larger drive), install the clone into the new PC, boot it (hopefully this works, usually does if its Windows 10), install the latest drivers and then upgrade to Windows 11. This is "safe" since you cloned the original drive and it will remain as a perfectly intact backup. This works better if the new and old systems are similar as in same CPU, GPU and motherboard manufacturer but other hardware is also important. This also works better if you uninstall as much as you can first. For example any software you don't need or can easily reinstall should be removed. Same goes for any drivers for hardware that does not exist in the new system. Any OEM software specific to your machine needs to go. For example if the old system is an HP, all HP software should be uninstalled before you make the clone. As others have said though, this is not the recommended way to do this. A fresh install will always lead to the best stability. You mentioned the old PC being very old. For this reason alone I would not migrate this existing install to new hardware. You can probably make it work, but probably is not good enough for a system you do actual work on.
But others are going to consider this, especially given that TPM is going to stop a lot of actual direct updates to Windows 11. I consider replies being to both OP and anyone with the same question in all cases.
Others are going to consider to migrate only installed programs? This is not possible. TPM requirement is so easy to circumvent and at some stage old hardware is just to old or to low specs to properly run 11.
The Simplest, but by No Means Guaranteed way would be to just put a 1 to 1 copy of the original system drive into the new machine and see if it takes. Windows 10 is not as stupid as older versions of Windows and I have successfully done this a number of times. Even swapping from and AMD based machine to an Intel machine with no issues. DO NOT use your original system drive in the attempt. Use a drive copy program and attempt it on the copy. Best case is it works and you just have to call Microsoft and tell them you replaced the motherboard to get your license activated. At worst you are where you started.