Trading computers and files?

I'm not quite sure how to explain what I want to do so I'll just give it my best shot and hope it makes sense to someone out there.

I have 2 Dell desktop PC's. Both XPS. Both Windows 7 Pro, service pack 1.

One is mine and the other belongs to my husband. I want to trade computers with him. The one he is using has more ram and is faster. He only uses it to surf around and read news. I use mine for work.

Is there a way that I can move files and settings from my PC to his and vice versa?

BlackCatsRule said:

Is there a way that I can move files and settings from my PC to his and vice versa?

As Maxie said, you can try Easy Transfer, but I'd have a fallback position if it proved to be a problem.

I'd divide the stuff into 2 categories:

Personal data: be prepared to move this manually, as by using a USB thumb drive or external drive. Locate the folders where you store stuff and copy it to the thumb drive or external. I'd do this before I even attempted Easy Transfer. Including email and browser bookmarks.

Installed applications and their configurations: I'd be prepared to reinstall rather than move. Maybe Easy Transfer works for you. Maybe not.

Thanks for your replies and help. I'm going to give it a try over the week-end. I will let you know how I make out...or don't.

The hard drive swap might work, but if not I would create a new Admin-level User account with your name and copy the files over using HomeGroup or USB media. User Account - Create - Windows 7 Help Forums


Open Documents for example on the old PC, on Organize tab Select All, drag the group to the corresponding folder on new User Account on the left-hand Explorer bar, wait for each sub-folder to expand until it confirms the correct copy location, then release the drag-n-drop.


Next test that the Programs you want work from the new account; if not Reinstall them so they do. We can help you find any installers you need as they are all available online. Much is also covered in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which deals with everything that needs to be backed up as well as everything that works best in tens of thousands of installs we've helped with here.


Once the User account is set up you can do the same for your hubby's new PC. leave the old User accounts intact until you're sure everything is moved, then you can delete them in User Accounts. .

I have decided to go with the clean install. I have non-profit volume licensing agreement from MS so I can use the same product key on multiple machines. I downgraded both PC's from Windows 8 so I'm thinking this will be much less difficult that that was!