Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Windows dial-up connections are stored in a RAS phone-book file, usually named Rasphone.pbk. To move them, copy the active PBK file from the old computer, place it in the matching phone-book location on the new computer, and then verify each entry. Keep a separate backup of any PBK file already on the destination PC, and expect to re-enter credentials.

What the Rasphone.pbk file contains

RAS (Remote Access Service) phone books are text files. Each entry can contain the information Windows needs to establish a dial-up RAS connection, including the telephone number, COM-port selection, and modem settings.

The file name alone does not identify its scope. Windows can use a phone book for one user or an all-users phone book, so copy the active file into the corresponding scope on the destination computer rather than assuming that every installation uses one universal folder.

Back up the dial-up connections on the old PC

  1. Close any dial-up connection and related connection windows. This reduces the chance that the phone book is being changed while you copy it.
  2. Find the active file. Search the computer for Rasphone.pbk. If more than one copy exists, determine which one contains the entries you actually use and note whether it belongs to your user profile or an all-users configuration.
  3. Make a safety copy. Copy the PBK file to a separate folder, external drive, or other protected location. A USB flash drive is optional; any reliable transfer method works. Do not edit the original while making the backup.
  4. Preserve the original file. Keep the backup until the connections have been tested successfully on the destination PC.

Restore the phone book on another computer

  1. Install and check the destination modem first. The copied entries describe connection settings, but the new PC still needs compatible modem hardware and Windows drivers.
  2. Locate the destination phone-book scope. For an explicitly all-users phone book, Microsoft documents the MicrosoftNetworkConnectionsPbk directory beneath the all-users application-data path. A per-user phone book may be elsewhere, depending on the Windows release and connection scope. Search for an existing Rasphone.pbk and confirm which scope Windows is using before replacing anything.
  3. Back up an existing destination file. If the destination already has a PBK file, rename or copy it before transferring the old one. This gives you a way to undo the replacement.
  4. Copy the source file into the matching folder. Keep the file name Rasphone.pbk and retain the intended per-user or all-users scope. Copying it to an unrelated folder will not make its entries appear in the Dial-Up or Network Connections interface.
  5. Open the connection list and test an entry. Check the dial-up number, modem or COM-port choice, and other settings. Older Microsoft instructions called for restarting Windows after replacing the file; a restart is not a universal requirement on current builds, but restarting can help if the entries do not appear immediately.

Credentials may not transfer

A PBK copy should not be treated as a guaranteed migration of working passwords. Windows associates stored entry credentials with the user and with credentials established through its RAS functions. After the file is copied, open the entry and be ready to enter the username and password again. Test the connection before deleting the old computer’s backup.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
StarTech USB 2.0 Fax Modem, 56K V.92, Computer/Laptop, TAA (USB56KEMH2)
  • DIAL-UP & FAX SUPPORT: Hardware-based USB 2.0 Fax modem adds data and fax functionality to your computer / laptop via USB without putting additional load on your CPU; For faxing, rural internet access, security systems, POS credit authorization
  • VOICE AND CALLER ID SUPPORT: Make and receive phone calls through your desktop / laptop computer; This portable USB modem supports Caller ID functionality and is compatible with most dial-up ISP (Internet Service Provider) networks
  • DATA/FAX MODE SUPPORT: Data: V.92, V.90, V.34, V.32bis, V.32, V.22bis, V.22, V.23, V.21 Bell 212A & Bell 103; Fax: V.17, V.29, V.27, V.21 Ch 2, EIA/TIA 578 Class 1 and T.31 Fax Class 1.0; DTMF support
  • TECH SPECS: External 56K Modem; Data Fax; USB Type A; 1 x RJ11 Telephone Jack; 56 Kbps Down, 33.6 Kbps Up Data; 14.4 Kbps Fax V.92; V.44 Compression; Conexant CX93010-21Z; USB Powered; TAA Compliant
  • COMPATIBILITY: Drivers available for Windows, Windows Server, macOS (10.9 to 12.x) and Linux (kernel 3.16 and up); Windows Drivers available for download

When this procedure does not apply

Connection Manager profiles

The PBK procedure is for standard RAS phone-book entries. It does not copy Connection Manager profiles. If your dial-up setup was distributed as a Connection Manager profile, that profile requires its own deployment or migration method.

Windows Backup and restore

Windows Backup can protect selected files and settings, and its settings catalog includes Wi-Fi profiles. The cited Windows Backup documentation does not identify dial-up RAS phone-book entries as a specifically restored setting. For this task, an explicit backup and copy of Rasphone.pbk is the direct approach.

Rank #2
AGPtek External USB 56K Modem, Plug & Play Dial-Up for Fax, Win 7/8/10/11
  • 56K data/fax modem with USB interface, compliant with V.90, and V.42/V.42bis/MNP5 protocols and V.17, V.29, and V.27ter Group 3 fax protocol.
  • Support Auto-Dial, Tone and pulse dialing, Auto answer, Auto retrain.
  • Support Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP/Vista/Win 7.
  • Support Caller ID and distinctive ring detect, Auto format/speed sensing, Data/Fax/Voice call discrimination, Single configuration profile stored in host, call forward/fallback.
  • 2 RJ11 Ports, you can set your telephone, fax system. Up to 56K data download, 48K data upload, and 14.4K fax communication.Provide Quick Connect and Modem-on-Hold features.

Troubleshoot missing or unusable entries

  • No entries appear: Check that the file is named exactly Rasphone.pbk, that it was copied into the active phone-book scope, and that you did not place an all-users file in a per-user location or vice versa.
  • The wrong entries appear: Search for additional PBK files and compare their contents. Windows may be using a different copy than the one you transferred.
  • The entry appears but will not dial: Verify that the destination modem is installed, the selected COM port is correct, and the telephone number and modem settings match the service.
  • The connection asks for a password: Re-enter the credentials on the destination computer; this is expected when credentials were not carried over by the file copy.
  • You need to undo the restore: Close the connection list, remove or rename the transferred file, and restore the destination PBK backup you made before replacement.

Quick checklist

  • Locate the active Rasphone.pbk on the source PC.
  • Save an untouched backup before transferring it.
  • Identify whether the source connection is per-user or all-users.
  • Back up any existing destination PBK file.
  • Copy the file into the matching phone-book folder.
  • Check the number, modem, COM port, and other settings.
  • Re-enter credentials if prompted and place a test call.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

The Bottom Line

For standard Windows dial-up RAS connections, back up and move the active Rasphone.pbk file, preserve its user scope, and verify the settings on the new PC. Keep a rollback copy and plan to enter the account credentials again; Connection Manager profiles are a separate case.

Best Value
HiRO V92 56K External USB Data Fax Dial Up Internet Modem Dual Port Built in Buzzer Truly Plug n Play Driverless Installation Built in Driver Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, 32-bit 64-bit (H50228)
  • Dual port built in buzzer, compatible with Windows 10, latest Windows OS installation for Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, 32-bit, 64-bit
  • Tested on Dell inspiron 3847 Windows 10 home 64-bit -send/receive fax successfully -dial up connection connected to NetZero at 46.6 KBPS
  • USB 2.0 plug and play -fast & easy hardware and driver installation - USB powered, no power adapter needed
  • Dual RJ-11 phone jack for expansion - dual jack for connecting an additional telephone or answering machine
  • Fax compatibility ITU-T- send & receive rates up to 14.4k BPS, mOh - receive phone call during active internet connection
Rank #4
USB 2.0 56K Fax Modem, External V.90 V.92 Modem with Dual Ports, USB Data Modem Compatible with Win 7/Win 8/Win 10/Win XP, Auto-Dial, Tone and Pulse Dialing, Auto Answer, Auto Retrain
  • Performance: Support automatic dialing, tone and pulse dialing, automatic answering, automatic fax sending and receiving. Support caller ID, automatic format/speed sensing, data/fax/voice call, single profile stored on the host, call forward/backward.
  • Plug and Play: The USB 2.0 fax modem dial-up adapter is suitable for WIN 98 / 2000 / ME / XP / Vista / CE5.0 / 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7. No need for any external driver.
  • Data/Fax Mode: Comply with V.92, V.90 and V.42, V.42bis / MNP5 protocol. Meets V.17, V.29, and V.27ter Group 3 fax protocols. For GRIS fax cats can dial the Internet, send and receive faxes, but do not support voice calls.
  • Tech Specs: Up to 56k data download, 48k data upload, and 14.4k fax communication. The 56k data/fax modem uses USB 2.0 Type A with a full speed of 56kb/s.
  • Compatibility: Standard and expanded AT command set compatibility. Provides fast connection and maintenance function on the modem.
Rank #3
HIRO H50364 V92 56K External USB USB-C Type-C Type C Data FAX DIAL-UP Internet Modem Dual Port Built-in Buzzer Truly Plug N Play DRIVERLESS Installation Built-in Driver Windows FAX and SCAN 11 10 8.1
  • Dual Interface - USB-C Type-C Type C - USB 2.0
  • Windows 11 10 Compatible - Fully Compatible with the latest Windows OS - Driverless Installation for Windows 11 10
  • Tested on DELL 3847 Windows 11 - Send/Receive Fax successfully - Dial-Up connection connected to Netzero at 46.6 kbps
  • USB-C Type C USB 2.0 Plug and Play - Fast & Easy hardware and driver installation - USB Powered, No power adapter needed
  • Dual RJ-11 Phone Jack for Expansion - Dual Jack for connecting an additional Telephone or Answering Machine

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.