How should I move my data to a new Windows 10 PC?

Q

Could you advise me on the best way to transfer my data from my existing computer (Windows 7) to a new computer (Windows 10) I wish to set up? Jack Lucy

A

Windows used to have a tool called Windows Easy Transfer (WET), which made transferring files from an old PC to a new one relatively painless. Annoyingly, Microsoft killed off WET in Windows 10. Instead, following Windows 10’s launch, Microsoft partnered with Laplink to provide a tool called Pcmover Express. Microsoft is currently offering Pcmover Express at half price (£10.95) via www.snipca.com/27520.

Pcmover Express transfers your user profile, files, data and settings, but not programs and tools. So, reinstall these separately. Laplink’s Pcmover Professional (£41.95, www. snipca.com/27521) can move programs, but not all of them; anti-virus tools may not transfer, for example. Whichever tool you use, you’ll need a large external hard drive to ferry files from one computer to the other, unless you buy Laplink’s Easy Transfer Cable (£21, www.snipca.com/27522).

If you’d prefer not to pay for (or download) anything, a simple way to transfer files (not programs) is to use Windows Backup to back up the W7 PC, then restore it on the W10 one. Plug an external USB drive into the W7 PC and go to Control Panel, ‘System and Security’, ‘Backup and Restore’ and run a backup, selecting the folders you want. When it’s complete, unplug the USB drive and plug it into the W10 computer. Click Start, Settings, ‘Update & Security’, Backup, then click ‘Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)’. In the window that opens, click ‘Select another back-up to restore files from’. Select the backup from your old PC. Click Next, ‘Select all files from this backup’, Next, then Restore. Can’t see your files? Navigate to C:\users to see if they’re in a different user folder.

Do you need our advice on what software to use? Just email us at letters@computeractive.co.uk