Solved transfer files and programs

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

I want to transfer some of my files and some old programs from my old computer, but not all of them.
Is it possible to pick and choose which programs and apps to transfer from old HHD to new one?
I do have a Sata to USB transfer cable.

bobkn · Dec 25, 2024

I'd copy files manually.

Programs that required installation I'd regard as not copyable. There is third-party software that claims to be able to transfer programs, but I've never tried any. I have always saved installers for all of my software, and re-installed them on the new system.

Berton · Dec 25, 2024

Yes it is possible for your files and folders but doubtful for Windows-based programs. Programs are intended to be installed as as to put files on the drive, create shortcuts/icons, copy support files into the Windows folder/subfolders and create Registry entries so Windows knows what to run and how to run them. I've moved programs a couple of times when not have the install software but only because it was critical for the use and I had both the old computer and new computer at hand and could copy and paste data when prompted for files in trying to run a program and having to reboot the new machine to assure everything worked, it is quite time-consuming. I even had to create the shortcuts manually in the right place. It's much easier to have the install software available.

timbobit · Dec 25, 2024

Bobkn is correct. I have used Zinstall Migration Kit Pro successfully though. It is a little pricey but worth it to transfer files and program to one or two computers.

glasskuter · Dec 25, 2024

Bite the bullet, backup your personal files and copy them into your new system and reinstall your programs.
(If you use a MS account and If ALL your personal files are currently synced to Onedrive, they should also sync to the new computer if the same MS account is used. Notice I used the word ALL.)

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

bobkn said:
I'd copy files manually.

Programs that required installation I'd regard as not copyable. There is third-party software that claims to be able to transfer programs, but I've never tried any. I have always saved installers for all of my software, and re-installed them on the new system.

Do you mean one by one or can I select several by holding the ctrl key?
As far the program files, I just wanted the Macrium Reflect free version because I read that there is no more new free versions available.

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

Berton said:
Yes it is possible for your files and folders but doubtful for Windows-based programs. Programs are intended to be installed as as to put files on the drive, create shortcuts/icons, copy support files into the Windows folder/subfolders and create Registry entries so Windows knows what to run and how to run them. I've moved programs a couple of times when not have the install software but only because it was critical for the use and I had both the old computer and new computer at hand and could copy and paste data when prompted for files in trying to run a program and having to reboot the new machine to assure everything worked, it is quite time-consuming. I even had to create the shortcuts manually in the right place. It's much easier to have the install software available.

Thank you, I only wanted the free Macrium Reflect since the free one does not seem to be available anymore.
I do have the exe file for that one,

Berton · Dec 25, 2024

For Copy or Move one can click the first in a list, hold down Shift and click the last to select all in between or click one, hold down Ctrl and click random files. Then right-click one of the files to choose Move or Copy.

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

timbobit said:
Bobkn is correct. I have used Zinstall Migration Kit Pro successfully though. It is a little pricey but worth it to transfer files and program to one or two computers.

Lucky enough, there is only one program I like to keep and I do have the exe file for that.

glasskuter · Dec 25, 2024

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...

www.majorgeeks.com

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

glasskuter said:
Bite the bullet, backup your personal files and copy them into your new system and reinstall your programs.
(If you use a MS account and If ALL your personal files are currently synced to Onedrive, they should also sync to the new computer if the same MS account is used. Notice I used the word ALL.)

Unfortunately, I have not used the one drive.
I was planning to remove the HHD from the old PC to transfer the files I want to keep.

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

Berton said:
For Copy or Move one can click the first in a list, hold down Shift and click the last to select all in between or click one, hold down Ctrl and click random files. Then right-click one of the files to choose Move or Copy.

Thank you.

glasskuter · Dec 25, 2024

Vonda said:
was planning to remove the HHD from the old PC to transfer the files I want to keep.

Moving files can get you into all kinds of permission problems. If you want to play it safe, you should (old computer) Use usb drive. Create folders documents, desktop, pictures,downoads, music, videos. COPY the files (DO NOT MOVE)from old computer and PASTE them into their appropriate folders on usb drive.
(New computer) COPY files from usb drive and PASTE into appropriate folders on new computer.

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

glasskuter said:
Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...

www.majorgeeks.com

Thank you, I thought that the free version was not available anymore.
My husband had installed a image copy with free version, but I don't know if it is safe to copy it to the new pc because of the system files.
PS. My husband has like me very little knowhow about PC issues.

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

glasskuter said:
Moving files can get you into all kinds of permission problems. If you want to play it safe, you should (old computer) Use usb drive. Create folders documents, desktop, pictures,downoads, music, videos. COPY the files (DO NOT MOVE)from old computer and PASTE them into their appropriate folders on usb drive.
(New computer) COPY files from usb drive and PASTE into appropriate folders on new computer.

Thanks, I will do that.

Vonda · Dec 25, 2024

I did reply to each of the members who answered my questions, but I may have forgotten to post them.
My apologies to those I did forget.
For now I shall the topic as resolved.

bobkn · Dec 25, 2024

Vonda said:
Thank you, I only wanted the free Macrium Reflect since the free one does not seem to be available anymore.
I do have the exe file for that one,

It's still out there.

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...

www.majorgeeks.com

Majorgeeks is a legitimate site, not piratical.

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