Is it too much hassle moving data to a new laptop?

timbon_2

Im interested in getting a new laptop with Windows 8 and better features but i have never transferred all the information from one computer to another, would it be fairly simple transferring everything from a Windows 7 machine to a 8?

Im assuming i can store everything on a drive and then just move it over? would i basically get everything moved over including all the browser data and saved passwords etc?

Has anyone done this before and does it make things more difficult if the operating system is not the same?

Toxteth_OGrady

If you have access to your W7 machine now just look for the "Windows Easy Transfer" program on it and you'll see what you can do.

fwor

Provided you can connect the two together (for example using a crossover cable on the LAN ports) it should be almost trivial.

Since the days of XP, MS includes a utility to do the data transfer for you. In Win7 it's called Windows Easy Transfer. I've no idea what it's called in Win8, but it will be something similar.

NiftyDigits

Look here...

jayme1

If you have an organised backup it's extremely easy, I every once in a while reinstall my OS and copying the old stuff is easy.
most programs have an export feature for settings or bookmarks that you import into the new install (eg bookmarks in Firefox)

on an external HDD I have identical backups of all my folders on my computer a folder for Download, Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos, on a new computer or a clean install I just copy them back on.

the basic steps for you would be open the new computer,
install the programs you want,
on the old computer export bookmarks/settings for new computer to a flash drive and import them on the new computer.
plug in the external drive (or share your files and folders over the network) and simply copy the file onto the new computer
then add the files into the programs if that is needed (eg iTunes)

since you are still going to have the old computer if you forget something you can always just boot it up and get it, you don't even have to deauthorise programs like iTunes but if you are going to wipe it or sell it then you should do then.

macman

WET is very much better than the horrible buggy crash-prone program it was a few years back. I've done 3 transfers this year, all from XP or Vista to W7, with no issues at all. It used to take hours, not now. I assume that W8 will not be any different in this respect.

closed

is there anything wrong with the W7 machine?