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Use Apple’s Windows Migration Assistant to copy supported files and settings from your PC to your MacBook. It does not transfer Windows application programs: install Mac versions separately and check each publisher’s compatibility and license terms. Keep the PC as-is until you have checked your files and essential app workflows on the Mac.
Choose a transfer method
| Method | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Migration Assistant | Moving supported personal files, accounts, and settings in one guided process | Requires the matching Windows utility and a working connection between the computers. Selected data is placed in Mac folders and apps. |
| External storage or file sharing | Copying selected files, especially if Migration Assistant cannot be made to work | You choose and copy the files yourself. This does not install apps or automatically transfer app-specific data. |
Apple says Migration Assistant copies information without deleting it from the PC or replacing macOS on the Mac. It is a transfer tool, not a way to clone Windows or make Windows software run on macOS. Apple’s PC-to-Mac Migration Assistant guide describes the supported process and categories.
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Prepare both computers
- Update Windows and macOS, and quit open apps on both computers.
- Keep the PC and MacBook near each other, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Apple notes that an older PC without Bluetooth Low Energy may need a Bluetooth adapter if the migration process prompts for one.
- Temporarily turn off antivirus, firewall, or VPN software on either computer if present, following Apple’s preparation guidance.
- If the Mac runs macOS 13 or earlier, or you are unsure about the connection setup, connect both computers to the same network or directly with Ethernet.
- Make sure you can sign in to the Windows account whose information you want to move. To migrate another Windows user account, sign in to that account on the PC and run the process again.
Download the Windows Migration Assistant that matches your Mac
Use Apple’s current compatibility list before downloading: the Windows utility version depends on the Mac’s macOS version. Apple’s support article lists these pairings:
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| Windows Migration Assistant | Windows requirement | Destination macOS versions |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2.0.0 | Windows 10 or later | macOS Tahoe 26, Sequoia 15, or Sonoma 14 |
| 2.4.5.0 | Windows 7 or later | macOS Ventura 13 or Monterey 12 |
| 2.3.1.0 | Windows 7 or later | macOS Big Sur 11 |
These are compatibility details from Apple’s current support page, which may change. If your Mac uses another macOS release, check that page for the appropriate older utility rather than assuming the newest download will work.
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Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
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Run Migration Assistant
- Start on the Mac. During first-time setup, choose the option to transfer information from a Windows PC. If setup is already complete, open Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant, or search for Migration Assistant with Spotlight.
- Open the Windows utility. On the PC, launch the Windows Migration Assistant version you downloaded for the Mac’s macOS release.
- Pair the computers. Follow the prompts. When the Mac displays a code, enter that code in the Windows utility and confirm the computers are connected.
- Select what to transfer. Review the categories shown and select the information you want to move. Available categories depend on the PC and its data.
- Let the transfer finish. Large transfers can take hours, and Apple notes that progress may appear to pause occasionally. Keep the computers powered and connected until Migration Assistant reports completion.
What transfers—and what does not
Migration Assistant maps supported data into corresponding Mac folders and apps. Apple’s documented categories include:
- Documents and other files: Files in the Windows home folder can move to the Mac’s Home folder. When Migration Assistant runs under a PC administrator account, certain non-system files from the system disk and other disks can be placed in the Mac user’s Shared folder.
- Email, contacts, calendars, and tasks: Supported Outlook and Windows Mail email and settings go to Mail; contacts and appointments go to Contacts and Calendar. Outlook tasks can move to Reminders when migrating to macOS 13 or later.
- Media: Music, podcasts, audiobooks, films, and TV programs go to the corresponding Apple apps. Photos can be placed in the Home folder for manual import or import into the Photos app.
- Browser information: Supported browser home-page and bookmark data can move to Safari.
- Selected settings: Some desktop, language, location, and Wi-Fi settings can transfer.
Windows application programs are not listed as a transferred category in Apple’s PC-to-Mac guide. A Windows installer or application file is not a macOS app, so Migration Assistant should not be treated as an app-transfer or Windows-compatibility tool.
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Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Silver
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Install Mac versions of your apps
For each app you still need, find the macOS version through the software publisher’s official download page or the Mac App Store. Sign in with the relevant account and check whether your existing subscription or license covers both Windows and macOS; that depends on the publisher and plan. Apple names Microsoft Office as an example of familiar software available on Mac and also points users to the App Store for apps.
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Keep app installation separate from app data. A document may transfer even though its Windows app does not. Some email, browser, or account data may also move, but specialist software can store important information in local databases or other formats that need a separate export or migration procedure. Before retiring the PC, check the publisher’s Mac compatibility and instructions for any essential tool, game, peripheral, or local database. Compatibility and license rights for individual products depend on their publishers.
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Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 15.3-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
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Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Starlight
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Rank #3
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Sky Blue
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Check the Mac after the transfer
- Log in to the migrated Mac account with the password set during migration.
- Open the destination folders and apps to check that the files and accounts you need are present and usable.
- If you moved Apple-purchased content, authorize the Mac for Apple purchases before syncing or playing that content.
- Install the Mac versions of essential apps, sign in, and test important workflows while the original PC and its data remain available.
If Migration Assistant does not work
- Confirm that you downloaded the Windows Migration Assistant version for the Mac’s macOS release and followed the connection and preparation steps.
- Apple recommends using Windows
chkdskto look for disk issues that might interfere with migration. Follow Windows’ instructions for checking the disk and address any reported issues before trying again. - If you still cannot complete migration, copy important files using an external storage device or file sharing. For an external drive, choose capacity and connectors that fit the files and both computers; Apple does not specify a required model or speed.
- Do not assume manual copying will preserve app installations, preferences, or local databases. Check the app publisher’s export and import guidance for those separately.
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