6 ways to transfer your data and programs from Windows 10 to a Windows 11 device
In order of ease and preference they are
- Using Windows Backup
- Using OneDrive
- Using an external drive, thumb drive or USB Drive (Data Only)
- Using an external drive, thumb drive or USB Drive to transfer data AND programs to a Windows 11 device
- Using a network connection (Wired or Wi-Fi)
- Using a special cable and paid proprietary transfer software
- Have it done by iTechWA remotely
Our advice is to only move your “data” to the new device, then reinstall the Windows 11 versions of the essential programs you need (leaving behind old bloat-ware, that will probably not work on Windows 11 anyway)
1. Using Windows Backup to Transfer data to a Windows 11 Device
Microsoft recommend using the “Windows Backup” method of transferring or transiting from a Windows 10 to a Windows 11 device.
However, it only transfers data and only works if:
- You have enough cloud (OneDrive) data. (Do not attempt to use this method if you only have the FREE 5GB allocation) or
- Both the Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers are working and are connected to the same network at the same time.
- Old PC: Run ‘Windows Backup” > “Transfer Information to a new PC” and Next. Make a note of the PC’s name as displayed.
- New PC: During the initial setup, you will be prompted to restore files and settings from your old PC.
What is transferred?
During the transfer process, the following is copied:
- All files: Your documents, photos, videos, and other files saved across folders or drives are transferred to your new PC.
- Settings and preferences: This includes your wallpaper, themes, and other personalization settings.
What isn’t transferred?
- System and OS files like Program Files, Program Data, Temp, etc. are automatically excluded from the transfer.
- OneDrive files won’t be transferred. Sign in to OneDrive on your new PC to access them.
- Applications installed on your previous PC.
- Saved Passwords and sign-in credentials.
- Drives encrypted with BitLocker. To include data from such drives, please decrypt them before starting the transfer.
How much Cloud storage do I need to make the transfer?
2. Using OneDrive to transfer data to a Windows 11 device
The simplest backup solution by far, is using Microsoft OneDrive, it makes moving between devices very easy
All Windows 11 devices are required to have a Microsoft Account to setup the new device. By setting up OneDrive on your old device and logging into the same Microsoft Account on both devices, transferring data is a piece-of-cake.
All free accounts come with a small 5GB of free data storage. However, you can purchase 100GB storage by purchasing Microsoft 365 Basic or subscribing to a 365 account (Microsoft Office 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family), Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise versions which come with 1,000GB per person
Once you are sure you have enough OneDrive storage space, follow these steps:
1. Open “Windows Backup” in Windows 10 and follow the prompts
when the backup and uploading of all data is complete
2. Login to the Windows 11 machine using the same Microsoft Account and start OneDrive, start Backup when prompted, the data from the Windows 10 computer will then start to upload to yout cloud account.download from OneDrive onto your Windows 11 device
3. Using an external drive, thumb drive or USB Drive to transfer data only to a Windows 11 device
4. Using an external drive, thumb drive or USB Drive to transfer data AND programs to a Windows 11 device
In the search option look for “Control Panel”
5. Over a Network (Wired. or Wi-Fi) connection
On the Windows 11 device, find the other device on the network and copy/paste the data from one to the other as in step 3 above.
6. Using a special cable and paid proprietary software
However, if you are purchasing a new Windows 11 device, depending on how long the device has been sitting on the shelf (which determines how old the version of Windows 11 is) and how slow your internet connection is, the process can take from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Need More Help?
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For further help or assistance, contact us here or refer to vendor support websites such as Microsoft and Apple
