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Transfer Old to New - Code Not Showing

Jessica Mueller 0 Reputation points
2026-05-25T22:22:23.9133333+00:00

HOW DO I GET THE CODE TO SHOW WHEN I'M TRANSFERRING TO A NEW COMPUTER? I am SO frustrated. When I open Windows Backup on both computers, it just shows the same damn thing. The "Ready to connect" and the computer name (which is the same on both computers). It is NOT showing a code on the new computer to enter on the old computer. What is going on??????????????? I've tried copying program files and all that jazz to OneDrive but nothing is copying. I'm actually beyond frustrated. I have so many programs and fonts and all that that I want to freaking transfer but it's not working. It's supposed to be simple right? 🙄🙄🙄🙄

This is what it looks like on both computers.2026-05-25 17_13_24-C__Users_jessj_OneDrive - University of Missouri_New Comp - File Explorer

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows
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  1. Kai-H 18,180 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-26T08:09:15.8166667+00:00

    Hi, Jessica Mueller

    The screen in your screenshot looks like both computers are sitting in the “old/source PC” side of the transfer. In that mode, Windows Backup only shows the PC name and waits for another PC to connect, so you will not get a pairing code there.

    Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

    First, give the two PCs different names. Go to Settings > System > About > Rename this PC, rename the new one to something obvious like NewOfficePC, restart both computers, then try again. Having the same computer name can make this transfer feature more confusing than it needs to be.

    Also make sure the new PC is fully updated. This transfer feature depends on newer Windows 11 builds and has been rolled out unevenly, so if the new PC is not on a current Windows 11 version, the “receive” side may simply never appear.

    One important catch: Windows Backup will not transfer installed desktop programs, Program Files, saved passwords, OneDrive-only files, or BitLocker-encrypted drives. It mainly transfers personal files and some settings/preferences. So copying Program Files to OneDrive will not properly move installed apps. Those programs usually need to be reinstalled on the new PC from their original installers or accounts.

    If the code still never appears, I would stop fighting that tool and use a safer manual transfer: copy your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and any custom folders to an external USB drive, then copy them onto the new PC. For fonts, copy the font files, then right-click them on the new PC and choose Install or Install for all users. For apps, reinstall them fresh, then move only their data/settings where needed.

    It is also recommended that both PCs be on the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network, with VPNs/firewalls temporarily disabled if discovery is not working. If Windows Backup still shows the same “Ready to connect” screen on both machines after that, the receive-side feature probably is not available on that PC/account yet, not something you are doing wrong.

    Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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  2. Jessica Mueller 0 Reputation points
    2026-05-25T22:27:41.85+00:00

    Hoping someone besides stupid AI can help.

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  3. Jessica Mueller 0 Reputation points
    2026-05-25T22:26:44.5633333+00:00

    How do I get back to "During first‑time setup of a new PC (OOBE), Windows shows the question like “Do you want to transfer information from another PC?” and then prepares the new PC to pair." This answer does not help me unless I know this. I've reset the new computer twice and that doesn't come up.

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  4. AI answer

    2026-05-25T22:22:46.2866667+00:00

    The pairing code only appears on a new Windows 11 PC during initial setup (OOBE), not when opening Windows Backup on two already‑set‑up PCs. When Windows Backup is opened on both devices after setup, both will show the same “Ready to connect” screen with the PC name, and no code is generated. That is why no code is appearing.

    Key points from the documented behavior:

    1. Where the code comes from
      • During first‑time setup of a new PC (OOBE), Windows shows the question like “Do you want to transfer information from another PC?” and then prepares the new PC to pair.
      • The new PC (in OOBE) shows a one‑time code.
      • That code must be entered in the Windows Backup app on the old PC.
    2. What should be running on each PC
      • Old PC (Windows 10 or 11): Sign in, open the Windows Backup app, and choose Transfer information to a new PC. This screen shows the old PC name that must be typed on the new PC.
      • New PC (Windows 11, version 2024 or later): While going through OOBE, choose the option to transfer from another PC. After entering the old PC name, the new PC shows the one‑time code.
      • If both PCs are already fully set up and logged in, both will behave like “old PCs” and only show the PC name, not the code.
    3. Requirements that must be met
      • Old PC: Windows 10 or Windows 11, fully updated.
      • New PC: Windows 11 version 2024 or later.
      • Both PCs on the same network and plugged into power.
      • On the new PC, sign in with a Microsoft account that does not already have an existing backup; otherwise, the transfer experience is not offered.
    4. Why this matters for programs and fonts
      • The transfer feature copies files, settings, and preferences, not installed applications or system folders like Program Files or Program Data, and not saved passwords.
      • OneDrive‑based moves also do not move installed programs; they only sync files.
      • Applications and fonts need to be reinstalled on the new PC from their original installers or stores.
    5. If the transfer experience is not available
      • If the new PC has already been set up, or the account already has a backup, or the OS version/region does not support this feature, the documented alternative is to manually copy files using OneDrive or an external drive and then reinstall apps and fonts.
      • For manual copy without cloud, use an external drive or network drive and copy the needed folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) from old PC to new PC.

    In summary, the code is missing because both devices are acting as “previous PCs.” To use the automatic transfer, it must be started during the new PC’s first‑time setup with a supported Windows 11 version and a Microsoft account without an existing backup. Otherwise, files must be moved manually and apps/fonts reinstalled.

    References:

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