How to Transfer Everything from Your Old Laptop to a New One

Got a new laptop but everything you actually need is still on the old one? Moving documents and photos is easy enough, but apps, browser data, settings, and local files need a little more thought. This guide explains the safest ways to transfer your data, what Windows can restore automatically, and what you’ll need to set up again yourself.

Before You Start: Prepare Both Laptops

A little preparation can prevent missing files or interrupted transfers. Before moving anything:

• Install available Windows updates on both machines.
• Plug both laptops into mains power.
• Check how much data you need to move.
• Make sure the new laptop has enough free storage.
• Sign into important cloud accounts and note any software licence details you may need.
• Back up irreplaceable files separately before making major changes.

If you're replacing an ageing PC altogether, you can browse our Windows 11 laptops before starting the migration. It is also worth cleaning up the old device first. Delete temporary downloads, duplicate videos, and software installers you no longer need. There is little benefit in transferring years of digital clutter to a brand-new machine.

What is the Best Way to Transfer Files from an Old Laptop to a New One?

The best method depends mainly on the amount of data involved.

For most Windows users already using a Microsoft account, Windows Backup combined with OneDrive is the easiest place to start. For hundreds of gigabytes of photos, video projects or other large files, however, a portable SSD can be considerably more practical.

Method 1: Transfer Data with Windows Backup and OneDrive

Open Windows Backup from the Start menu on your old laptop and sign in with your Microsoft account. You can then choose which folders you want backed up through OneDrive, including:

• Desktop
• Documents
• Pictures
• Videos
• Music

Windows Backup can also retain supported Windows settings and preferences. Microsoft provides full details in its current Windows Backup guidance.

Allow everything to finish syncing before shutting the old machine down. When setting up your new laptop, sign in using the same Microsoft account. Your backed-up files will become accessible through OneDrive, while supported settings and app information can be restored through the Windows setup experience.

Check OneDrive Before Moving On

Do not assume that seeing a OneDrive icon means every file has uploaded. Open OneDrive online or check its sync status and confirm that your important folders are available before wiping or selling the old laptop. This is particularly important when you transfer photos from an old laptop to a new one. Photo libraries can be large enough to exceed your available cloud storage without you noticing.

Method 2: Use an External SSD for a Faster Local Transfer

If you have hundreds of gigabytes to move, an external SSD is often the fastest and simplest option. Connect the drive to the old laptop, open File Explorer, and copy the folders you want to keep. Once copying finishes, safely eject the drive, connect it to the new machine and move the data into the appropriate folders. Look beyond Documents and Pictures. Important files can also be hiding in:

• Desktop
• Downloads
• Videos
• Music
• Custom project folders
• Locally stored work folders
• Game saves
• Application export folders

Using one of our external SSDs for file transfers can make sense when you have a particularly large media library because SSDs generally provide much faster transfer speeds than basic flash storage.

For larger archives where outright speed matters less, external hard drives for backups provide another practical option.

Method 3: Move Smaller Files with a USB Drive

USB flash drives work well for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, photos and smaller personal folders. The process is simple:

1. Connect the USB drive to the old laptop.
2. Copy the required folders onto it.
3. Safely eject the drive.
4. Connect it to the new laptop.
5. Copy the files into their new locations.

A USB stick is less convenient if you need to transfer all data from an old laptop to a new one and your library runs into hundreds of gigabytes. In that case, an external SSD is usually the more efficient choice.

How to Transfer Apps from an Old Laptop to a New Laptop

This is where laptop migration often causes confusion. You usually cannot simply copy installed applications from the Program Files folder and expect them to work on another computer.

Desktop software installs supporting files, registry entries, services and other components throughout Windows. Most programs therefore need to be installed again properly on your new device.

Windows Backup can remember supported installed-app information, but that is not the same as physically transferring every installed application. Some apps can be restored or downloaded again, while traditional desktop software may direct you back to its provider for installation.

Before retiring the old machine, make a list of software you actually use, then reinstall each program from its official source. Also check whether paid applications require you to deactivate the old computer first.

Don't Forget Your Browser, Passwords, and Email

Documents are only part of your everyday setup.

If you use Edge, Chrome, Firefox or another browser with account synchronisation enabled, signing into the same browser account can usually restore supported bookmarks, browsing information, extensions and other synced data.

Password managers should also be checked separately. Make sure your vault has synchronised before you dispose of the previous device.

For email, the process depends on your provider. Cloud-based services normally repopulate messages after you sign in. Locally stored email archives or exported mailbox files, however, may need to be copied manually.

Can You Copy an Entire Old Laptop to a New Laptop?

Technically, specialist disk-cloning software can duplicate a storage drive. However, cloning an old Windows installation directly onto completely different laptop hardware is not usually the best migration method for everyday users.

The new laptop may use different drivers, recovery partitions, firmware settings, and manufacturer software.

Instead of trying to copy an old laptop to a new laptop sector by sector, it is generally cleaner to keep the new machine's existing Windows installation and transfer your personal data, settings and applications separately. That gives you a fresh operating system while preserving the things you actually need.

Check Everything Before Wiping Your Old Laptop

Do not erase your old laptop as soon as the first transfer finishes. Use the new computer for a few days and check:

• Documents open correctly.
• Photos and videos are present.
• Desktop files have transferred.
• Browser bookmarks are available.
• Important applications have been reinstalled.
• Cloud folders have finished syncing.
• Passwords and authentication methods work.
• Any local archives or specialist project files are accessible.

Keep the old device untouched until you are confident nothing is missing. Once you're certain the migration is complete, you can reset the old laptop before selling, recycling or passing it to somebody else.

If the old machine still has plenty of usable life, replacing it is not the only option either. Properly prepared refurbished laptops are a good example of how capable hardware can continue being useful beyond its first owner.

Which Transfer Method Should You Use?

If you only need to transfer documents from an old laptop to a new laptop, cloud storage, or a USB drive may be all you need.

For a large local library, use an external SSD. If you already keep most of your data inside OneDrive, Windows Backup provides a convenient way to bring files and supported Windows preferences across as part of your new-PC setup.

Whichever route you choose, keep the original data until you've verified the new copy.

Moving to another computer should not mean starting again. With a proper backup and a little organisation, you can transfer files from an old laptop to a new laptop while keeping the important parts of your existing setup intact.

And if you're still deciding what you're moving to, our full range of laptops and notebooks covers everyday, business, gaming, and performance-focused systems for different workloads and budgets.

How long does it take to transfer data from an old laptop to a new laptop?

Transfer time depends on the amount of data, the connection type and the speed of both storage drives. A small document library may take minutes, while several hundred gigabytes of photos, videos or project files can take a few hours.

Can I transfer files from an old laptop if the screen is broken?

Yes, provided the laptop still powers on and the storage drive is accessible. You may be able to connect it to an external monitor or remove the SSD or hard drive and access it through a compatible enclosure or adapter.

Can I transfer data from a Windows 10 laptop to a Windows 11 laptop?

Yes. Personal files such as documents, photos, videos and downloads can be moved between Windows 10 and Windows 11 using cloud storage or external storage. Some older software may need a newer version to work properly on Windows 11.

Will transferring files delete them from my old laptop?

Not if you copy them. Copying creates a second version on the new device while keeping the original files on your old laptop. Deleting the originals should only be considered after you have checked the new copies.

What should I do if my new laptop has less storage than my old one?

Transfer your most important files first, then move larger archives, old videos or infrequently used folders to external storage or cloud storage. This lets you keep the new laptop organised without filling its internal drive immediately.