transfer from my windows 10 to windows 11 laptops

Question

transfer from my windows 10 to windows 11 laptops

TIM Monahan 0

I need to transfer my files, photos, passwords, data, documents and passwords from my windows 10 laptop to my new windows 11 laptop. How do I do that?

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3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

By far the easiest way is to copy your files, photos, and documents to an external hard drive or a USB flash drive, and then move them to the corresponding folders in the new computer. Since you are in charge of the process, you can make sure it turns out right.

Moving your passwords depends on how they are stored. For example: If your passwords are synced to your Microsoft account, there's no need to move anything, since those passwords will repopulate in Microsoft Edge when you sign in to the same Microsoft account on your new computer.

Similarly, anything stored in your OneDrive will still be in your OneDrive when you sign in to the same OneDrive on your new computer.

Enjoy your new Windows 11 computer ... well ... try to ... ((:-)

Answer 2

Hi，

You can use Windows Backup + OneDrive + your Microsoft account to transfer your files, photos, settings, saved Wi-Fi passwords, and some app preferences.

On your Windows 10 laptop, sign in with your Microsoft account, open Windows Backup, enable backup for folders/settings, and sync your files with OneDrive. Then sign in with the same account on your Windows 11 laptop to restore them.

For programs that cannot be migrated automatically, you will need to reinstall them. If you need a full copy including installed software, consider using a third-party PC migration tool or disk cloning software.

Answer 3

To move from a Windows 10 laptop to a new Windows 11 laptop, use a combination of Windows Backup (for files/settings) plus a method for files and then sign-in to your services again for passwords.

Transfer files, photos, and settings with Windows Backup (recommended)

This works when the old PC runs Windows 10 and the new PC runs Windows 11 version 2024 or later.

On the Windows 10 (old) PC:

Connect both PCs to the same Wi‑Fi or LAN network and plug them into power.
Make sure Windows 10 is fully updated:
- Open Settings > Windows Update (or use this link: ms-settings:windowsupdate).
- Select Check for updates, install all updates, restart if needed.
Open the Windows Backup app.
Select Transfer information to a new PC.
- If this option is missing, update Windows again as above, restart, and try Windows Backup again.

On the Windows 11 (new) PC during setup:

Sign in with a Microsoft account that does not already have an existing backup.
When asked whether to transfer information from another PC, choose to transfer.
Enter the old PC’s name shown in Windows Backup on the Windows 10 PC.
On the new PC, a one‑time code is shown; enter that code in Windows Backup on the old PC.
After pairing, choose what to transfer (documents, photos, videos, and other files, plus personalization settings like wallpaper and themes).
Start the transfer and wait for it to complete. A summary is shown at the end.

What this transfers

Files: documents, photos, videos, and other user files across folders or drives.
Settings and preferences: wallpaper, themes, and other personalization.

What this does not transfer

Applications (programs) – reinstall these manually on the Windows 11 PC.
System/OS folders such as Program Files, ProgramData, Temp.
OneDrive files – sign in to OneDrive on the new PC to sync them.
Saved passwords and sign‑in credentials.
Data on BitLocker‑encrypted drives unless those drives are decrypted before transfer.

Transfer files and photos with an external drive (if not using Windows Backup)

If the automatic transfer is not available, copy files manually with a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive.

On the Windows 10 (old) PC:

Connect the external storage device.
Open File Explorer.
Browse to folders that contain personal data, for example:
- Desktop
- Documents
- Downloads
- Pictures
- Music
- Videos
Select files/folders (hold Ctrl to select multiple), then right‑click > Show more options > Send to and choose the external drive.
Wait for copying to finish.
Safely remove the drive by using Eject before unplugging it.

On the Windows 11 (new) PC:

Connect the external storage device.
Open File Explorer and select This PC.
Open the external drive, then the folder containing the copied files.
Select the items to move (or Select all), then use Copy and paste them into the desired folders on the new PC (such as Documents, Pictures, etc.).
Verify the files are present and open correctly.
Handling passwords and account data

Windows Backup and the file‑copy methods above do not transfer passwords or sign‑in credentials.

To get passwords and data onto the new PC:

For Microsoft account, Outlook, and Microsoft 365: sign in on the new PC with the same Microsoft account to sync email, calendar, and OneDrive.
For browsers (Edge, Chrome, etc.):
- If signed into the browser with an account and sync is enabled, install the same browser on the new PC, sign in, and turn on sync to restore saved passwords, favorites, and history.
- If passwords are stored only locally and not synced, export them from the browser on the old PC (if supported) and import them on the new PC.
For apps and services (banks, social media, etc.): sign in again on the new PC using the same usernames and passwords.

Programs and apps

Programs cannot be moved directly. Install them fresh on the Windows 11 PC:

Use Microsoft Store for apps available there.
For other software, download the Windows 11 version from the publisher’s official website.

Alternative: OneDrive instead of an external drive

If cloud storage is acceptable, files can be moved by signing into OneDrive on the Windows 10 PC, syncing files to the cloud, then signing into OneDrive on the Windows 11 PC to sync them down. (Details are in the linked OneDrive article in the references.)

References: