- Use an external Device to Transfer Data
- Try Data Transfer Software (Recommended)
- Use Cloud Drive (Google Drive/OneDrive)
- Buy a Transfer Cable to Migrate Computer Data
- Create a Shared Folder in Windows 10
- Try Windows Nearby Sharing
- Back Up and Move All Files
Migrate your files from a Mac to a PC Most documents and media types are supported on both Mac and PC platforms as long as you have an application installed that supports the file type. Some of the most common file types that you might want to migrate are Microsoft Office files, Music, Movies, Pictures, e-mail and other data files.
- Jun 29, 2020 Connect a sufficiently large external hard drive to your old computer and drag-and-drop (or copy-and-paste) all the files you need from your old computer onto the drive. Disconnect the drive from the old computer, connect it to the new computer, and move the files onto the new computer.
- May 12, 2020 If you are coming from Quicken for Windows to Quicken for Mac, follow the steps below. Before you begin. Validate your file in Quicken for Windows. You can do this by following these steps: Click on File on the top menu bar, then select File Operations Validate & Repair. Put a check next to Validate file.
'I have a Lenovo Yoga running Windows 10 and recently bought a newer model as a replacement. Is there an easy way to transfer settings and files to the new computer - ideally it would look and operate exactly the same. - From Microsoft Forum'
Transferring the old computer files to a new PC has become an increasing need among most computer users. Once you have bought a new computer, you may need to upgrade and transfer useful files to the new PC. Since the data is generally large, mail transfer is not recommended here. In order to solve your problem, you'll find 7 recommended methods for you to follow and migrate essential files to the new computer.
Method 1. Use an External Storage Media (Manual Copy)
You can use an external storage device such as a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive to help you move all your wanted files to a new PC.
Benefits:
- You don't need any software, internet access or services.
- The external devices are portable and convenient.
- Moving them via USB can be one of your quickest and most cost-effective options.
If both computers have USB 3.0 ports, you'd better use these ports. When you have a lot of data to move, speed becomes important! The steps are also easy:
Step 1. Connect your external devices to the old PC.
Step 2. Copy wanted files to the drive. Then connect the drive to the new PC and copy files to the new PC.
Method 2. Use Data Transfer Software (Easy & Fast)
If both the computers are on the same network, you can transfer files with EaseUS Todo PCTrans. It can automatically move your programs, files, profile settings and more to your new Windows 10 PC. You can gain quick access to transferring files from one computer to another here:
Benefits:
- Transfer everything: Transfer your data, applications, and account settings from one PC to another in one click.
- Supports all Windows version: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 & Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019
- Technical support: Quickly set up your new PC with the help of a certified PC migration expert.
To save your time and energy, here we'd like to recommend you try EaseUS Todo PCTrans. It allows you to selectively transfer files to a new computer with just only free simple clicks. You can download and install this software on both PCs, and apply to transfer files with below tips with ease:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both old and new computers. Click the 'PC to PC' on the main screen to continue.
Step 2. Connect the two PCs on the same LAN by entering the password or verification code of the target PC. Choose the right transmission direction and click 'Connect' to continue.
The verification code is on the right top of the 'PC to PC' main screen on the target computer.
Step 3. Go to 'Files' section, click 'Edit' to select the individual files you need to move.
Transfer Files From Mac To Pc
Step 4. And, click the 'Transfer' button to begin the data migration. Wait for the transferring finishes. The time of the process varies based on the size of the files.
Also read: File sharing between Windows 7 and Windows 10
Method 3. Use Cloud Drive (OneDrive/Google Drive)
By using a cloud drive like OneDrive, you can quickly transfer files from PC to PC or Mac to PC. Your files are organized like they were on your old computer and you can get right back to work.
Benefits:
- No device limitation: You can view and edit your files from the OneDrive app on other devices, including Androids and iPhones. You can also use any computer to go to the OneDrive website and sign in to access your files.
- Once your files are saved to OneDrive, if your device is lost or damaged, your files will still be backed up and protected in the cloud.
Step 1. Upload files to OneDrive. Open OneDrive. When the app opens, just click 'Add' to add the file to your OneDrive cloud account. The file will upload to your OneDrive account.
Step 2. Download wanted files. On the other laptop, open the 'OneDrive' app, right-click on the file, and select 'Download'.
If you’re worried about hard drive space, you can browse your OneDrive files in File Explorer without downloading them to your PC.
Method 4. Use a Transfer Cable
A USB data transfer cable is a great way to move data from one computer to another. The PC data transfer cable has a small electronic circuit in the middle allowing the two PCs to talk to each other.
Benefits:
- It’s faster than using external devices since the copy and paste are happening simultaneously from computer to computer.
- You don't need to worry about the disk space. When using external drives, you are basically transferring between three drives. Cables reduce that to two drives.
Step 1. Start both computers. Attach the USB cable to both of the computers.
Step 2. Click the Windows 'Start' button, type 'windows easy transfer' in the Search field and press 'Enter.' Follow the prompts of the Easy Transfer wizard to share files.
Different transfer cables have different ways to use it, If you encounter any problems, please consult after-sales of the specific transfer cable.
Method 5. Create a Shared Folder
In Windows 10, you can share files on your computer with other users over the network. Using the File Sharing feature is the method you can use. You can share files with virtually any device, including Mac, Android, and Linux devices.
Benefits:
- In the same LAN, you can directly use large files locally.
- The files can be used by multiple people at the same time. It's very convenient for business users.
Use these steps to share files on your local network using the express settings:
Step 1. Find the file you want to share. Right-click or press it, and select 'Give access to' > 'Specific people'.
Step 2. Select a user or group to add. Click 'Add'. Add the username you want to share. If you are open to all users, you need to add 'Everyone' to this user. Adjust the privilege level as needed.
Step 3. Click the 'Share' button to enable network discovery and sharing in the dialog. Then, press 'Win+R', Enter 'IP address'. Then, you'll see all the shares of the IP address.
If you don't know your IP address, press 'Win+R', type cmd, then input 'ipconfig'. Press 'Enter' and you'll see your IP address. If you select multiple files at once, you can share them all in the same way. It works for folders, too.
If you want to share files over the network without needing a password, use these steps to disable password protection for file sharing on Windows 10:
Step 1. Go to 'Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center'. On the left pane, click the 'Change advanced sharing settings' link.
Step 2. Expand the All Networks tab. Under the 'Password protected sharing' section, select the 'Turn off password protected sharing' option. Click 'Save changes'.
Method 6. Try Windows Nearby Sharing Instead of HomeGroup
HomeGroup has been removed from Windows 10 (Version 1803). However, even though it has been removed, you can still share printers and files by using Nearby Sharing in Windows 10. It uses Bluetooth to transfer files between PCs in close proximity.
Benefits:
- Nearby Sharing works with all apps that have a sharing option including Microsoft Edge, File Explorer, and the Photos app, so you no longer have to rely on third-party file-sharing platforms like DropBox.
- You can easily share a file with anyone in the room without entering any passwords or pairing devices.
Note: Make sure that your Windows 10 is version 1803 or later because this feature is only available in versions after 1803.
Now, follow the details below to transfer files from old PC to a new one:
Step 1. Enable nearby sharing. Go to 'Settings > System > Shared experiences > Nearby sharing'. Turn on it.
Step 2. Under 'Nearby sharing,' select 'Everyone nearby'.
- Everyone nearby — Your PC will be able to share and receive content from all nearby devices, including those you don't own.
- My devices only — Your PC will share and receive content only with devices using the Microsoft account.
- Under 'Nearby sharing,' click 'Save files I receive to', and click the 'Change' button. Select a location to save files.
Step 3. Start file sharing between the two computers. Open 'File Explorer'. Right-click the file you want to share. Click the 'Share' option. Select the device from the list.
Transfer Files From Windows To Mac
When you've completed the steps, the other PC will receive a notification to accept or decline the transfer. Accept it and start the transferring process.
Method 7. Back Up and Move All Files from Old PC to New PC
The other way that you may try is to use backup software to back up and move all files from the old PC to your new computer. Here you may try EaseUS Todo Backup which supports hard disk clone, system backup and file migration by simple clicks. You can directly apply this tool to free backup all files to your new PC with below simple tips now:
Step 1. Connect the external hard drive or USB flash drive to your PC and run EaseUS Todo Backup.
Step 2. Click the left top icon and expand the pane, click 'File Backup'.
Step 3. Select the files that you want to backup to external hard drive or USB. And then click 'Browse' to navigate the external hard drive or USB flash drive as the file backup destination.
Step 4. Click 'Proceed' to execute the file to external hard drive/USB backup operation.
Then, connect the external device to your new PC. Run EaseUS Todo Backup on it and restore files from the external device. If you want to save time and energy, the former six methods will help.
Which One Is Your Perfect Solution
Through any one of these methods, you should be able to quickly transfer files from PC to PC. If your network conditions are not good, you’re better off with a wired connection between computers. If your network conditions are good and you want to transfer applications, use PC to PC transfer software or try the rest of the solutions.
Welcome to the fold. You're anxious to use your Mac, but you've amassed years of data on that PC. Switching platforms doesn't mean starting over: You can still use those old files. Apple makes it easy with a free utility called Migration Assistant. Here's how it works.
What is Migration Assistant and how do I get it?
Migration Assistant is a utility Apple includes in the Utilities folder of every Mac. You'll see it when you first start up your Mac, when your Mac asks you if you want to transfer data over from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or a PC. Apple makes the app freely available for download for transferring to your Mac. You'll need specific software, depending on what macOS or OS X operating system you're transferring to. You'll need to download the Migration Assistant software to your PC before you begin. Below are the following software links, depending on which Mac operating system you're migrating too.
Migration Assistant will help you transfer files from a PC running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 operating systems. The Mac and the PC both have to be running Migration Assistant.
Both should be on the same network in order to find each other. The data migration may take several hours depending on what's being transferred and what means are used: Wi-Fi is slower, a wired Ethernet connection is faster. But one way or the other, your patience will be rewarded.
What actual data gets transferred will depend on which version of Windows you're using, and what programs created your data. Bookmarks from Internet Explorer and Firefox will be brought into Safari, for example. iTunes content and image files should make it over as well. System settings will get pulled over. You'll be able to specify what other files you'd like to bring over, too.
Email, contacts, and calendar information are where it gets a bit tricky. The bottom line is that Migration Assistant will pull over your email account information, and if you're using Microsoft Outlook, it should pull over your email messages, your contacts, and your calendars. Other programs may vary. Apple has posted a detailed chart of what gets migrated over to help you understand.
What you need before you start
Before you get too excited and try to start transferring your PC's data to your new Mac, you'll need to have a couple of things at the ready.
- You must have the administrative username and password associated with the PC.
- Both computers must be on the same network, either through Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- You should perform a drive performance check before running Migration Assistant or you may not be able to properly use the software.
- Click on Start on your PC.
- Click on Run.
- type cmd into the Run window.
- Press Enter.
- type chkdsk into the Command window.
- Press Enter.
If your drive performance check uncovers issues, you'll need to run a drive repair process.
- Type chkdsk drive: /F (Change the name 'drive' to whatever the name of your Windows startup disk is) into the Command window.
- Press Enter.
- Press Y when prompted.
- Restart your PC.
You will need to repeat the steps above until the drive performance check returns without any issues. You can then use Migration Assistant to move your data to your Mac.
How to migrate your data from your PC to your Mac
First, connect your Mac to your PC either through Ethernet or by making sure both computers are on the same local Wi-Fi network.
On your new Mac:
Transferring Files From Pc To Mac
- Launch a Finder window.
- Click on Applications in the sidebar.
- Double-click or control-click on the Utilities folder.
- Click on Migration Assistant.
- Click Continue.
- Click From a PC. when prompted to select how you want to transfer your information.
Click Continue.
On your PC:
- Make sure you've downloaded and installed Migration Assistant on your PC.
Launch Migration Assistant on your PC.
- Launching Migration Assistant on the PC is a one-way trip: It's only designed to transfer data from your PC to a new Mac. After launching it, Migration Assistant for Windows will try to connect to its Mac counterpart. A security code will display on the screen.
Confirm that the code on your PC is the same on your Mac.
- Select the files, folders, and settings you want to transfer from your PC to your Mac.
Click continue.
There are other ways to move files between Macs and PCs. Thumb drives will work on both machines, so you can manually transfer whatever files you want to use, for example. But Migration Assistant provides an elegant, convenient and absolutely free way of managing the transition to becoming a Mac user, as long as you have the time to use it.
Have any questions?
Put them in the comments and I'll help you out.
Updated September 2019: Updaated for macOS Catalina.
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