Do not copy your programs from one PC to another ... re-install them new from the Internet.
Then you can move data files using a USB flash drive.
Posted on 07/13/2014 6:49:41 AM PDT by TurboZamboni
I was given the gift of a new laptop- HP Pavilion Smartouch 17. not my first choice, but it was a nice gift and the giver knew my old Toshiba Satellite L505-a6946 is dying and that I'm too cheap to buy a new one.
The Satellite uses Vista and the new HP is Windows 8.1 .
I need to know what's the best(easiest) way to move all my data from one to the other including AVG,Hitman Pro, Malwarebytes,emails(Outlook)and other vital programs.
While I'm at it, I assume it came with all sorts of unwanted 'bloatware' so I will need to remove that ,too. (It was a demo model, if that matters)
My several year old Dell desktop came with a transfer cable and a built-in transfer program to move stuff. Running Vista. I noticed the same cable (Belkin?) was sold at one of the local computer stores. I didn’t use it then on mine but did use it later between two laptops. Worked OK.
I think now I would go the external hard drive route just to have the hard drive for safe storage later rather than spend money on a transfer cable.
The is a program called Move Me that I used a few years ago. Not only moved all the data, it moved the programming as well.
You can get a data xfer cable and connect one PC to another. Windows has a data transfer utility that will move data directly. That’s the fastest method, but the cable is kind of expensive.
Alternatively, use cloud storage like Google Drive to copy your stuff to.
Or use a thumb drive to store your data temporarily.
I used Carbonite once for my wife’s PC. It already had her old PC backed up, so I installed it on her new one and set the account up there. It immediately began downloading her information into the same folder structure she had before.
It is often not possible to copy working programs just by transferring program folders as these often do not contain the install files. You will likely have to reinstall these programs like AVG, Malwarebytes etc. The versions of these programs you have on your computer may also not be compatible with Windows 8.1.
Good luck with Windows 8. I have been helping a friend with her Windows 8 laptop and have had a lot of frustration.
1- Log into the new computer, setup your profile and things like mail and whatever programs are special to you that you have installed.
2- Use Windows Easy Transfer now to move your data and configurations
Type in Easy Transfer on the old pc, have both computers on your home wired or wireless network.and follow the instructions, you can google and get a lot of answers for using the program and it is fairly good at these transfers, in a 0-10 rating I would give it at least an 8
3- on the new computer with Windows 8.1 I recommend using a third party tool to emulate a start menu to make it easier for you to get accustomed to the new operating system, I myself use Retro-UI, I bought the 5 dollar version and it helped me a lot
Good luck and let us know how it goes
M4ComputerAdvice
Some of your Vista software may not be compatible with Win 8.1.
You MAY be able to run problematic software using "compatibility mode".
What is the deal with Windows and SanDisk? Often the OS can’t open the drive. I boot up with a Linux live disk and the hardware works fine. Sometimes I have to remove the device in the Windows device manager and then plug it back in and it works for a while. I see on the internet that a lot of people have this problem.
At least your are moving out of the fire into the frying pan.
I’ve tried formatting the USB drive, no change in behavior. From a Google search, it appears to be a Win 7 issue. Works sometimes. A hobby OS like Linux, no issues.
You could also get a Thermaltake hard drive dock
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5352947&CatId=2785
for example.
You take the hard disk out of the old computer, and, plug it into the box and use it like a flash drive. Plug it into the USB of your new computer and transfer files directly.
If the hard disk is still good, you can use it as back up and plug it in and out like a flash drive repeatedly (make sure you run the safe remove command before you do so).
This will work on most newer systems that have SATA drives in them. You have to go a slighly different route if it is just an ATA drive. Check your system out first.
You cannot “transfer” programs. You have install them on the new computer.
You cannot transfer settings, as with Outlook. You have to look at the settings and set them up on the new computer. You can transfer the .pst files and then open them.
You can transfer your documents/pictures/music from the Documents area.
Are you using a router/network?
yes, cable wireless router
That will not work
If you go online to a site like Newegg.com you can find external DVD/CD drives on sale for around $25 with free shipping.
Just plug that in to the notebook USB port and then burn the restore disk.
You should be able to hook them both up to the wireless and share the documents folder to do the transfer of documents.
You probably will not need AVG with Windows 8.1. It has anti-virus built-in
Create a USB recovery drive
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-drive
How to create a Windows rescue USB stick
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-to-create-a-windows-rescue-usb-stick-984726#null
Many how to’s listed on the right side of the page. The one below shows how Acer does a recovery:
Windows 7 - Restore Windows Using a USB Recovery Drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcxIZqO4JrY
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