Trying to set up a new computer, and it isn't showing my current device to restore from even though it shows up in my microsoft account. How can I fix this?

Question

I am just setting up my new laptop and have logged in to my microsoft account.

It is asking me to select a device to restore from, but the option it is giving me doesn't match the ID of my old computer (which is showing up on my microsoft account on my old computer).

I don't understand why this is so, and how I can fix it. Any help appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Cathy,

Hi, I'm Sumit, here to help with your query on the Microsoft Q&A forum. Apologies for any inconvenience you are experiencing. I am happy to help you today.

The ID doesn't matter; the PC name should match. Do you see your older PC name?

Also, are you sure you had the Windows backup app installed on your older PC, which facilitates backup and restore functionality?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-and-restore-with-windows-backup-87a81f8a-78fa-456e-b521-ac0560e32338

I look forward to your response and am happy to work with you until we find a solution. Please keep me updated.

Answer 2

Hi Cathy,

Hi, I'm Sumit, here to help with your query on the Microsoft Q&A forum. Apologies for any inconvenience you are experiencing. I am happy to help you today.

The ID doesn't matter; the PC name should match. Do you see your older PC name?

Also, are you sure you had the Windows backup app installed on your older PC, which facilitates backup and restore functionality?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-and-restore-with-windows-backup-87a81f8a-78fa-456e-b521-ac0560e32338

I look forward to your response and am happy to work with you until we find a solution. Please keep me updated.

Answer 3

Any suggestions? Is there something I could do on my existing computer to make it back up? Or could you escalate it to someone else? Thanks Sumit.

Answer 4

I am so sorry for missing your thread Cathy.

Would you be comfortable if you used a 3rd party free backup and mover program?

Essentially, backup does not matter much too - your files are already synced through OneDrive. The Settings are the one which needed to be moved.

Answer 5

If the cloud icon on your older PC is on the Taskbar, it is syncing files to the cloud. Also in our previous conversations, I see you checked Microsoft account Settings, where I wanted to see the Settings app.

Could you please open your Windows 10 PC and open its Settings app. Instead of Update and security, open the Accounts menu and send me a screenshot.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-and-restore-with-windows-backup-87a81f8a-78fa-456e-b521-ac0560e32338#id0ebh=windows_10

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/free-tech-support