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How to Move Files and Apps to a New Laptop: Windows and Mac Guide

Choose a transfer method for your operating systems, make a separate backup, and plan to reinstall apps. Here’s how to move files between Windows laptops and Macs.
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To move to a new laptop, first make a separate copy of important files, then choose a transfer method for your operating systems: OneDrive or external storage for files on Windows, Migration Assistant for Mac-to-Mac or supported Windows-to-Mac moves, and Windows Backup and Restore for Windows setup. Treat apps as a separate task: most migration methods do not transfer installed programs, so plan to reinstall them and restore their data or licenses.

Before you start: identify what needs to move

Check the operating system on both laptops, where your files are stored, how much space they use, and which apps you rely on. Make a list of paid or specialist software, plus any projects, mail archives, plugins, or other information stored inside apps rather than in ordinary folders.

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Keep the old laptop until you have checked the new one. Microsoft’s external-storage instructions advise verifying files on the drive and again after copying them to the new PC. A migration tool is not a substitute for a separate backup.

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Choose a transfer method that fits your laptops

Computer move Practical route Key limitation
Windows to Windows Windows Backup and Restore, OneDrive, or external storage Microsoft’s PC-to-PC transfer page currently says that feature is no longer available and directs users to Windows Backup and Restore.
Mac to Mac Apple Migration Assistant, including from a Time Machine backup Review the destination’s existing accounts and available storage before choosing what to migrate.
Windows to Mac Apple Migration Assistant for Windows Supported files and information can move; Windows applications do not become Mac applications.

Move files between Windows laptops

Use external storage for a direct copy

Microsoft’s external-storage guide describes copying files to a drive, checking them, safely ejecting it, and copying them into destination folders on the new PC. Choose a drive with enough capacity for the files you actually need and a connector that works with both laptops. External storage copies files; it does not migrate installed apps.

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  1. On the old PC, review Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Favorites, Music, Pictures, and Videos. Windows 10 instructions also name Podcasts. Include other folders or drive locations where you keep files.
  2. Copy the selected files and folders to the external drive.
  3. Open files on the drive to confirm the copy, then safely eject the drive.
  4. Connect it to the new PC and copy the files into their intended folders.
  5. Open important files on the new PC before retiring the old one.

Use OneDrive for files you want synced

With Microsoft’s OneDrive instructions, sync the folders and photos you want from the old PC, then sign in to OneDrive on the new PC using the same Microsoft account. Wait for syncing to finish and check that the expected folders appear in File Explorer or through the OneDrive icon. OneDrive is a separate cloud route: Microsoft’s PC-to-PC transfer page says that process does not transfer OneDrive files.

Understand the current PC-to-PC transfer notice

Microsoft’s “Transfer your files and settings to a new Windows PC” page currently displays the notice, “This feature is no longer available. Use Windows Backup and Restore instead.” Although the page still describes a PC-to-PC workflow, do not assume it is available on your computers; follow the current notice and check the Windows options available during setup.

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The described experience’s listed requirements and exclusions are useful if you encounter it: it specifies an old PC running Windows 10 or 11, a new PC running Windows 11 version 2024 or later, supported Intel or AMD hardware, and a Microsoft account during setup with no existing backup on that account. It says it can copy files and personalization settings, but not system or OS files, OneDrive files, installed applications, saved passwords or sign-in credentials, or BitLocker-encrypted drives unless those drives are decrypted first. Files may need to be deselected if the new PC has less storage. These details describe the page’s stated experience, not a guarantee of current availability.

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Move data to a Mac

Mac to Mac with Migration Assistant

Apple Migration Assistant transfers documents, apps, user accounts, and settings between Macs; it can also use a Time Machine backup. Apple says it does not delete information from the old Mac or replace macOS on the new Mac. It is built into macOS and can run during initial setup or later from Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant. Apple recommends updating macOS and keeping nearby Macs on Wi-Fi for a wireless migration. See Apple’s Migration Assistant guide.

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  1. Open Migration Assistant on both Macs, or choose the migration option during setup of the new Mac.
  2. Follow the prompts to select the source Mac or Time Machine backup and the information to transfer. Migration Assistant calculates required space and lets you choose categories or individual items.
  3. If the destination already has an account with the same name, choose whether to replace it or rename the old account so both accounts remain.
  4. Let the transfer complete, then check the migrated account and files on the new Mac.

Windows PC to Mac with Migration Assistant

Apple supports transferring selected information from a Windows PC using the Migration Assistant version appropriate for the Mac’s macOS. On the Mac, choose From a Windows PC, run Migration Assistant on Windows, and confirm the security code shown on both computers. Apple’s Windows-to-Mac transfer table lists supported information such as contacts, calendar appointments, some Outlook tasks, email and settings, media, browser bookmarks, documents and other home-folder files, photos, desktop pictures, and language and location settings. Known Wi-Fi networks are listed for macOS 13 or later. Non-system files on the Windows system disk and other available disks may be included when the Windows user is an administrator.

Large transfers may take hours and can appear to pause. If Migration Assistant does not complete after troubleshooting, Apple recommends copying important files with external storage or file sharing. The listed categories are information to transfer, not a promise that Windows software will run on macOS.

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Reinstall apps and restore their data

Microsoft’s Windows consumer guidance says some apps may restore or reinstall, while others require manual installation from their original provider. Microsoft’s PC-to-PC transfer page excludes installed applications. Apple’s Windows-to-Mac transfer list does not say it converts Windows programs to Mac apps.

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  1. Make an inventory of installed apps on the old laptop, including paid, specialist, and work-related software.
  2. For each app, check the publisher’s official instructions for exporting data, moving or deactivating a license, and signing in on a replacement device.
  3. Install the app from its original publisher or official app store, then sign in. For a Windows-to-Mac move, confirm that a macOS version exists or choose a compatible alternative.
  4. Open the app and verify its settings, projects, plugins, mail archives, and locally stored data. Restore any data the app did not sync or migrate.

For managed fleets rather than an individual laptop move, Microsoft’s User State Migration Tool documentation says USMT can migrate accounts, files, operating-system settings, and settings for some apps—but not the programs themselves. It supports devices joined to a local Active Directory domain and does not support Microsoft Entra-joined devices.

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Final checks before you retire the old laptop

  • Confirm that important documents open and expected photos and folders are present.
  • Sign in to essential apps and check that licenses, settings, and app-specific data are available.
  • Check storage locations beyond standard folders, including other drives and any encrypted storage you use.
  • Keep the old laptop until you have resolved missing files, login problems, or license-transfer steps; only then consider wiping, trading in, or giving it away.

If your old Windows laptop still runs Windows 10, note that Microsoft ended free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, as stated in its external-storage transfer guidance.

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