Microsoft explains how the brand new Home windows PC-to-PC migration instrument works

Microsoft is formally engaged on a brand new “PC-to-PC” migration instrument for Home windows 11, stories Home windows Newest. A couple of months in the past, the Insider Dev model of Home windows 11 gained a brand new (however undocumented) characteristic in Home windows Backup that made it simpler to maneuver information between two or extra PCs, together with from Home windows 10 to Home windows 11.

In a brand new assist doc, Microsoft confirms the existence of the instrument and clarifies that PCs should meet the next necessities:

• Working system: The supply PC can run both Home windows 10 or Home windows 11, whereas the goal PC should run Home windows 11 model 2024 or larger. Arm-based units will not be at the moment supported.
• Microsoft account: Sign up to the goal PC with a Microsoft account throughout setup. Make sure that the Microsoft account doesn’t already comprise an present backup.

That is the primary time since Home windows Vista that Microsoft has supplied an area knowledge switch possibility. Home windows Straightforward Switch was ultimately discontinued in favor of transferring by way of OneDrive, which many nonetheless remorse in the present day.

How does PC-to-PC file switch work?

Right here’s the wanting it: you simply want to attach two PCs over an area community and use the instrument to repeat information from the supply PC to the goal PC. It transfers all of your paperwork, photographs, desktop settings, and different customizations you’ve made.

The one issues that aren’t transferred embody apps and passwords, that are nonetheless backed up and synchronized by way of OneDrive. Apps and passwords may be restored afterwards utilizing your Microsoft account.

Microsoft explains how the PC knowledge switch works step-by-step:

1. Make sure that each outdated and new PCs are on the identical community.
2. Open the Home windows Backup app on the outdated PC, then choose “Switch data to a brand new PC.” The identify of your PC ought to seem.
3. On the brand new PC, sign up together with your Microsoft account. Then, you’ll be requested to enter the identify of the PC you wish to switch from. When you try this, each PCs will transfer on to the subsequent step.
4. On the brand new PC, enter the six-digit code that’s displayed on the outdated PC. When you do that, the information switch will begin.
5. After profitable pairing, you’ll see an inventory of folders you could choose and switch. It’ll additionally present how a lot cupboard space will likely be out there on the goal PC after the switch is completed.
6. When you’ve made your alternatives, click on on “Begin switch” and Home windows will start copying over the chosen knowledge.
7. Afterwards, you’ll see a abstract of the PC migration. You may shut this and proceed on with the goal PC.

Necessary: The brand new PC-to-PC switch instrument continues to be being examined as a part of the Home windows Insider Program and isn’t but finalized. Nonetheless, it does present a preview of how Microsoft will implement native knowledge switch on Home windows 11 PCs sooner or later.

This new characteristic must be notably attention-grabbing for anybody who intends emigrate from a Home windows 10 PC to a brand new Home windows 11 PC, which many might want to do in gentle of the looming deadline for Home windows 10’s finish of assist. In the meantime, study your numerous choices for what to do together with your Home windows 10 PC after finish of assist.