Windows 8.1 For Dummies

Chapter 20

Moving from an Old PC to a New Windows 8.1 PC

In This Chapter

Copying your old PC’s files and settings into your new PC

Using Windows Easy Transfer

Transferring files with a flash drive or portable hard drive

When you bring home an exciting new Windows 8.1 computer, it lacks the most important thing of all: your old computer’s files. How do you copy your files from that drab old Windows PC to that shiny new Windows PC? How do you even find everything you want to move?

To solve the problem, Microsoft stocked Windows 8.1 with a virtual moving van called Windows Easy Transfer. The Windows Easy Transfer program grabs not only your old computer’s data but also settings from some of your programs: your browser’s list of favorite websites, for example.

Not everybody needs Windows Easy Transfer. If you’re upgrading a Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 PC to Windows 8.1, for example, Windows 8.1 keeps your personal files in place.

But should you need to copy information from an old Windows PC to your new Windows 8.1 PC, this chapter introduces the program and walks you down the path.

Note: Unlike its earlier versions, Windows Easy Transfer works only with Windows ...