How to Transfer Files from an Old Computer to a New One

If you have purchased a new PC, moving data from the old to a new PC can present quite a hurdle. If you have Windows XP, the "Files and Settings Transfer" tool this can be a simple task. Read on to learn how to transfer files from an old computer to a new one.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard

1. 
    

   Start up your old computer, which you want to transfer files from. Click on the "Start" menu, and then Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Files and Settings Transfer. This will launch the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. We shall refer to the Files and Settings Transfer tool as F.A.S.T.

2. 
    

   Click on "Next." Choose "Old Computer." Select a method and location to save your data. NOTE: In order to use the "Home or small office network" option, both the new and old computers must be hooked up to a home network. You will also have to run the wizard on the new PC first.

3. 
    

   Choose what you would like to transfer. It's recommended that you transfer both files and settings. You may choose to check the option to "Let me select a custom list of files and settings…" which will enable you to select precisely what to transfer and what to leave behind.

4. 
    

   Click "Next." On the next page, you may be prompted to install a particular program or programs on your new computer. Click "Next" and wait for your file settings to be collected. Click "Finish" when the process is complete.

5. 
    

   Start up your new computer and follow the Step# 1 above to start the F.A.S.T. wizard. Click "Next" and choose "New Computer." Choose the "I don’t need the Wizard Disk" option.

6. 
    

   Skip this step by clicking "Next" if you already followed all the steps above. (If you chose the "Home or small office network" Option in step#2, follow the instructions on this window.)

7. Select the location from which to copy the files, which should be the folder or device to which you saved the files and settings on the old computer. Wait once more for the files and settings to be transferred.

8. Click on "Finish" when the process is complete. All your files and settings will now have been transferred from your old computer to your new computer.

Other Ways to Transfer Files from an Old Computer to a New One

9. Send the files to yourself as email attachments from your old PC, and then open and download them on your new PC. You will need to ensure that the files are not too large. You should also, ideally, have a fast connection, otherwise your Internet provider may block it or you may spend a lot of time doing the transfer.

10. You can "sneaker net" the data using removable media such as a portable hard drive, a USB flash drive, or a memory card reader. Save copies of the file to the device from the old PC and then open and save them to the hard drive on your new PC.

11. A faster, easier way to connect the old and the new PCs to transfer data between the two is to use a network cable.

Tips & Warnings

• The XP F.A.S.T. wizard will only move data files, not program files. Ideally, you should install all the software on your new PC before you run the wizard.
• Make a note of all your passwords as well, because they will not be copied either.