How to Move Files to a New Windows PC

Got a new computer and need everything off the old one? Good news: your files are the easy part. There are five solid ways to do it, and the right one depends on how much you're moving and whether you'd rather use a cable, a cloud account, or your home Wi-Fi. Here they all are, simplest first.

First: know where your files live

Almost everything personal sits in these folders under This PC: Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos. Open File Explorer (the folder icon on the taskbar), click each one, and that's what you want to bring over. Don't forget anything saved straight to the C: drive or in odd spots like a "Scans" folder.

Method 1: External drive (no internet needed)

1. Plug an external hard drive or USB stick into the old PC.
2. Open File Explorer. Select your folders (click the first, hold Ctrl and click others).
3. Right-click > Copy, then open the external drive and right-click > Paste. Wait for it to finish.
4. Safely eject the drive, plug it into the new PC, and copy the files into the matching folders there.

Best for: large amounts of data, photos and videos, or when you'd rather not rely on internet speed.

Method 2: OneDrive (built into Windows)

If you sign into Windows with a Microsoft account, OneDrive can sync your main folders automatically.

1. On the old PC, click the OneDrive cloud icon near the clock > Settings > Backup > Manage backup.
2. Turn on backup for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. Let it finish uploading (this can take a while).
3. On the new PC, sign into Windows with the same Microsoft account. Your files reappear automatically.

Best for: moderate amounts of data, and people who want their files backed up to the cloud going forward. Note the free OneDrive tier is 5 GB; large photo libraries may need a paid plan or one of the other methods.

Method 3: Another cloud account (Google Drive, Dropbox)

Same idea as OneDrive if you already use Google Drive or Dropbox. Upload from the old PC, install the app on the new one, sign in, and your files sync down. Handy if you already pay for storage there.

Method 4: Nearby Sharing (PC to PC over Wi-Fi)

Windows 10 and 11 can send files directly between two nearby PCs, no cable or drive.

1. On both PCs, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and enable Nearby Sharing: Settings > System > Nearby sharing > set to "Everyone nearby."
2. On the old PC, right-click a file or folder > Share, and pick the new PC from the list.
3. Accept the transfer on the new PC.

Best for: a handful of files or folders when both computers are in the same room.

Method 5: Home network share (both PCs on the same Wi-Fi)

If both computers are on your home network, you can copy straight across. On the old PC, right-click a folder > Properties > Sharing > Share, then browse to it from the new PC under Network in File Explorer. This is fiddly to set up, so most people are happier with Methods 1 or 2.

What about my programs?

The built-in methods move files only, not installed programs. On the new PC you reinstall what you need: Office, your browser, printer software, and so on. That's usually a good thing, since you start clean without years of buildup. If you genuinely need to carry programs over, Laplink PCmover is the paid tool Microsoft points to, but for most people a fresh install is simpler and faster.

Don't forget these

• Browser favorites and passwords: sign into Chrome, Edge, or Firefox with the same account and they sync automatically.
• Email: if you use Outlook or webmail, signing in brings it back. Older Outlook data files (.pst) may need to be copied manually.
• Photos: double-check the Pictures folder and any phone-backup folders before wiping the old PC.

Before you get rid of the old PC

Confirm everything opened correctly on the new computer first. Then wipe the old one: Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC > Remove everything. That protects your personal data before you sell, donate, or recycle it.

Video walkthrough

Video by My Computer Works on YouTube