How can I move my current files to a new laptop?

[Alpha Hedge]

I would like to replace this laptop, but I don't want to lose my files. How can I move everything (and I mean literally everything, even system files) to a new laptop?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I doubt you can, legally.

The "system files" (Windows) license on the old laptop is restricted to the old laptop.

The new laptop should come with its own new Windows license. If that's the case, why would you even want to install the old Windows?

Do you have some type of weird situation where you are buying a new laptop without Windows?

Your personal files (non-system files) are another story. They can be moved at will.

 

[Alpha Hedge]

I'm just kind of paranoid about losing all my stuff. Like I want to copy like the "Program Files", "Program Files x86", extra folders that programs have created, stuff like that.

 

[Boozad]

Copying Progam Files folders over won't work, the programs won't run. You'll need to reinstall the programs on th new laptop.

 

[AddRAM]

You can only copy data, you have to install the programs on the new pc and they create the program folders.

If you want the same system on another PC use Macrium to create an image, then put that image on the other PC.

But putting a system from one PC onto another is a bad idea and not the proper way to do it, all you need to copy is your data.

You will need a key to re activate windows.

But your new pc will come with windows installed, so no worries.

 

[Alpha Hedge]

Could I copy over my entire user folder? Or would I have to put all of my files inside the user folder to an external hard drive and put that on the new laptop?

 

[AddRAM]

You can copy over whatever you want, we`re not saying you can`t do what you want.

You should already have your data backed up

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You should plan on re-installing all programs.

On the typical system, your personal data is somewhere under C:\users\your_user_name.

You can copy that personal data if you can locate it. It's up to you to be able to find your personal data as we have no idea of your personal sense of organization. You may have 22 folders under C:\users or 22,000.

I wouldn't attempt to "copy over my entire user folder". You can certainly copy the entire folder to an external and then copy the personal data portions back to the new laptop from the external.

 

[Alpha Hedge]

So would it work if I made a backup of my system, then put that backup on the new laptop?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So would it work if I made a backup of my system, then put that backup on the new laptop?

That leads to a discussion of what you mean by "backup". It's a poorly defined term.

If you mean including Windows files, no. If you mean the entire C partition, no.

But maybe you mean something else.

 

[Alpha Hedge]

You should plan on re-installing all programs.

It's up to you to be able to find your personal data as we have no idea of your personal sense of organization. You may have 22 folders under C:\users or 22,000.

I wouldn't attempt to "copy over my entire user folder". You can certainly copy the entire folder to an external and then copy the personal data portions back to the new laptop from the external.

I don't know if this would help, but here's a screenshot of my admin folder:

 

[Alejandro85]

Copying Progam Files folders over won't work, the programs won't run. You'll need to reinstall the programs on th new laptop.

The vast majority of times they DO work, in fact.
Installers mostly restrict to copy files over, the same you can do yourself (that's what the so-called "portables" do). Only when it requires ActiveX registration, some kernel driver or a shell extension, for example, it may require a proper installation procedure.

 

[AddRAM]

Whenever we/I do a migration we backup the Users folder then re add it to the new system.

Copy your entire user folder, it will have your favorites from IE, your downloads, your data, everything.

You can do whatever you want, but you don`t copy over system files, there`s no reason to. And the new system will be a mess.

That`s not how you do it.

If you buy a new PC, all you do is install the programs you want, and add some pictures for wallpaper, you should not be storing any data on C (your OS partition)

 

[Alpha Hedge]

What is a ActiveX registration? (sorry if I'm asking alot of questions, I'm kind of new here)

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I don't know if this would help, but here's a screenshot of my admin folder:

Doesn't help much.

We still have no idea where you would store a spaghetti sauce recipe or a picture of your cat or an mp3 of your favorite song.

 

[Alpha Hedge]

Whenever we/I do a migration we backup the Users folder then re add it to the new system.

Copy your entire user folder, it will have your favorites from IE, your downloads, your data, everything.

Thank goodness

 

[Alpha Hedge]

I don't know if this would help, but here's a screenshot of my admin folder:

Doesn't help much.

We still have no idea where you would store a spaghetti sauce recipe or a picture of your cat or an mp3 of your favorite song.

What would help, then? I keep Music in the My Music folder, and recipes and documents in the My Documents folder, pictures in the Pictures folder, etc. I keep some stuff in my dropbox sometimes though.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Copy the entire user folder to the external.

Buy the new laptop with the new Windows license.

Get it up and running to the point that you are satisfied that it's sound and not broken.

Then worry about finding your personal stuff and copying it back from the external.

You are the world's foremost authority on where that stuff is.

 

[Boozad]

Copying Progam Files folders over won't work, the programs won't run. You'll need to reinstall the programs on th new laptop.

The vast majority of times they DO work, in fact.
Installers mostly restrict to copy files over, the same you can do yourself (that's what the so-called "portables" do). Only when it requires ActiveX registration, some kernel driver or a shell extension, for example, it may require a proper installation procedure.

The one and only time I tried it it didn't work. Granted it was on XP but it's not something I'd have any confidence in doing again.

 

[gregrocker]

Everything that needs to be remembered and the best way to back up is here in Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

You can also look over the steps to reinstall the factory install that came loaded on the PC, which is an inferior install due to all the bloatware and duplicate utilities. The tutorial will show you how to achieve the best possible install, including the tools and methods which work best for Win7.