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.
Data?
Don’t you just get a large-capacity thumb drive and copy files to it then transfer the thumb to the new computer? If you have your old install files, copy those to the thumb as well or download on the new laptop. And any install discs that you bought for your old computer, just re-install the programs on the new computer.
Since a computer question was asked maybe someone could answer this for me. I have a notebook with no cd drive and I need to make a restore disk. Can I use a usb cable to connect it to another computer that has a cd drive and make it that way? Will the notebook see the other computer’s cd drive? Thanks in advance.
save your old files under carbonite or similar before your laptop dies!!!!
Then I believe you can transfer them into another computer
Data transfer cable- made for just this purpose. That may not be the exact name, but some poking around on Ebay should turn up what you need. I bought one about five years ago- 12 bucks or so at the time. Came with software pre-loaded. Just plug it into both machines, and tell it what you want.
You might think about purchasing an external hard drive. They are not too expensive. Makes a good backup in case of virus or hard drive crash. They are big enough that you probably could back up both operating systems also.
But for it to work both computers need to be on the same network..and you probably already have a network and don't know it if you have Internet..if you have an Internet router and if both computers can connect to I this router at the same time then both computer can also see each other.
To get rid of bloatware try http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/
then run CCleaner http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download ...<—— now that’s also a good maintenance program to run every month or so too.
Both are free programs. Good luck with your new computer, I’ve been holding off and still using this XP laptop, but it looks like Win8 is in my future too.
ps reconsider AVG, instead dl MSE at the MS site...it’s low maint, smart and the best protection you can get.
Bring in a Geek.
If you really don’t know how to do it by yourself, buy a copy of Laplink PCMover and it will handle it all for you except for removing the bloatware on the new machine.
Other than that, it’s a matter of copying data files and re-installing all the applications you want, and uninstalling all the applications you don’t want.
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".