Transferring files from XP to Windows 8

onejontwo

I've just bitten the bullet and plumped for a new PC. After doing some research it seems the best way of transferring files for someone like myself from xp to windows 8 is with the windows easy transfer tool. However when I go on the microsoft website and click on the links I always end up with the windows 7 operating system. Any help would be appreciated.

googler

If the HDD on the old one still works, open the PC, remove the drive, place it in the secondary drive bay on the new one, and open each in an Explorer/Folder view and copy/paste.

OR

Place the drive from the old machine in a USB caddy, connect it to the new, and copy/paste

OR

If both machines are working, connect both to your homehub/router, share folders on each drive, and copy/paste

prowla

There are many ways of doing it.

I would say the easiest is to buy an external USB hard disk, plug it into the old PC and copy the files onto it, and then plug it into the new one and copy the files off. It's also got the advantage of being a place for you to store backup copies of your files (because hard disks do fail and you don't want to lose all of your data).

You could, alternatively look at a cloud-based storage provider (eg. DropBox or MS OneDrive) and copy your files up to that. That should be a zero cost option. But you need to be aware that you no longer have control over your files; they should be safe and secure, but there are no promises.

onejontwo

I think googlers options are beyond me, but if I go the original way ie. by using the "windows easy transfer tool" or the way Prowla suggested I would still need some form of storage device so would this do? http://www.mymemory.co.uk/USB-Flash-Drives/Lexar/Lexar-64GB-JumpDrive-M10-USB-3.0-Drive at £19.99 delivered as I don't know how much storage I will need as it's a three quarter full 80gb hd.

googler

onejontwo wrote: »

I think googlers options are beyond me

Maybe they are, but don't you want to LEARN?

onejontwo

googler wrote: »

Maybe they are, but don't you want to LEARN?

Sure, but I don't want to waste your time by having to guide me through it each step of the way. Also option one is out because of the warranty which would be invalidated due to the pc being opened. But if you're willing to give me the time then why not?

googler

Option 2 then; buy USB caddy, according to the type of HDD in your old machine - something like this

The drive will either be IDE or SATA.
It will either be a 3.5" or 2.5" drive

Buy the USB caddy as appropriate

Recognising IDE and SATA drives, and installing them. Removal is the reverse of installing

Armed with the above, you can accomplish option 2.

If there's anything you have difficulty with in the above, please ask.


Do you have a homehub or router that you can connect both PCs to?

onejontwo

googler wrote: »

Option 2 then; buy USB caddy, according to the type of HDD in your old machine - something like this

The drive will either be IDE or SATA.
It will either be a 3.5" or 2.5" drive

Buy the USB caddy as appropriate

Recognising IDE and SATA drives, and installing them. Removal is the reverse of installing

Armed with the above, you can accomplish option 2.

If there's anything you have difficulty with in the above, please ask.


Do you have a homehub or router that you can connect both PCs to?

My ISP is with virgin so I have the so salled superhub.

stevemcol

When I've changed my PC/laptop over the years, I've just networked the two machines through my router and transferred files that way.
Usually the new hardrive has been significantly bigger than the old one so I just archive the whole thing on the new machine. Leave it running overnight if there's a lot of data.

onejontwo

I do have a 16gb memory stick so would it be possible to transfer everything over using this by deleting the files on the stick once they've been transferred and starting again if there isn't enough space on the stick?
Also how do I transfer programs like "keypass" which contain all my passwords without losing them, or do I have to download them from scratch?

onejontwo

stevemcol wrote: »

When I've changed my PC/laptop over the years, I've just networked the two machines through my router and transferred files that way.
Usually the new hardrive has been significantly bigger than the old one so I just archive the whole thing on the new machine. Leave it running overnight if there's a lot of data.

I've only got a 80gb hard drive which is about three quarters full so how do I go about doing as you say?