How best to transfer files and settings to a new computer?

Does the new computer have Windows 10?  Is it activated?

If it is then you could clone the older computers hard drive to the newer computers drive.

EaseUS Todo Backup can do the clone if you can connect the new drive to the old computer.

In addition to what Certified_friend said there is one thing you can do,

If you have not cleaned it out before doing a clean install or reset or an update do this; copy the Download Folder in File Explorer to a USB or another drive on the disk.  Then use it to install the downloaded programs rather than wandering all over the Internet to download the programs again.

What he does not tell you is that downloaded files when installed also puts data in the System files and if it is not there your programs will not work.

Only files can be transferred. You have to install all your programs and setup your user account and UI.

If you sign in with Microsoft account, then some things can be set on your user account. Like your desktop image and things like that. If you had synced your user settings with Microsoft.

The best way to transfer files

is on your old PC

go to C:\Users\Public

copy all your files and program installers into a folder here.

Now on your new PC

Open Network folder, select your old PC

Open the Public folder and copy or move it to your new PC.

Windows 10 has issues connecting PC's for file sharing.

This will help you in every aspect to connect PC's on your Network and be able to share files.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/connecting-pcs-and-users-for-sharing/fb92e439-5dbc-4367-9857-1ef360e9ffdf

I see it is a laptop.

Personally, I would not try using the old drive on new PC. Especially if the internal hardware is all different. You are just setting yourself up for problems. But what do I know right. LOL.

If it was a PC, then you could connect it and copy the files to C:. But I would still do fresh installs of my programs and spend the 1 1/2 hours to set up my UI.

Just get all your program CD's out and any program installers you have on old PC so you can install them on new PC.

Cutting corners to save a little time will usually bite you in the .... and cause you days of grief.

Good Luck!

Hi Joe,

Is the hard drive in the new model of the same or greater size to the previous model?

If it is, then if you can connect the two hard drives to the one system, you can clone the old hard drive onto the new one with software like the Free version of Macrium Reflect

Please Note, before doing this, make sure Windows is activated on the new device

Otherwise, you will have to manually move all your data (files and folders) over to the new device

On the old device, go to Settings - Accounts - Sync Your Settings and turn on all options there

Then when you log into the new device with the same Microsoft Account, those settings should transfer across