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For a Windows source computer, use Samsung Galaxy Book Smart Switch first. Install it on both computers, connect them to the same network (or use a USB cable when networking is unavailable), choose Send data on the old PC and Receive data on the Galaxy Book6, select the folders and supported data categories, and start the transfer. Smart Switch is not a complete disk clone: Samsung documents selected settings, documents and Microsoft Store apps, while hidden/system folders and some desktop applications are excluded. Reinstall unsupported programs and verify your important files before you wipe or retire the old PC.
This guide follows Samsung’s documented Galaxy Book process and separates it from phone Smart Switch instructions. Samsung’s support pages cover Galaxy Books generally and 2021-or-later models; they do not confirm that Smart Switch is preinstalled on every Galaxy Book6 configuration or specify every Book6 port. If the app is missing, download the current Galaxy Book Smart Switch utility from Samsung support and check the ports on your exact model before buying a cable.
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What you need before starting
Prepare both computers before opening Smart Switch. The old computer must run Windows; Samsung states that Galaxy Book Smart Switch can transfer data from a Windows PC only. A Mac cannot be used as the source for this PC-to-PC workflow. See Samsung’s US instructions and UK instructions for the current interface in your market.
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- Sign in to the Galaxy Book6 and finish its initial Windows setup.
- Install Galaxy Book Smart Switch on the old PC and on the Galaxy Book6. If it is not already installed, search Samsung Support for the Galaxy Book version rather than the phone/tablet Smart Switch app.
- Connect both computers to the same home or office network. Samsung documents Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection through the router. A USB cable is an alternative when networking is unavailable, but Samsung’s instructions do not identify a specific cable standard; inspect the ports on your particular Book6 and old PC first.
- Keep the computers connected to power. Prevent sleep, VPN changes, or network switching during the copy.
- Make a written list of desktop programs, browser profiles, game saves, license keys, email archives and folders that you cannot afford to miss. Smart Switch does not promise a complete copy of every application or system directory.
- Check the destination’s free space against the data you intend to move. For a large collection, measure the folders in File Explorer before choosing Smart Switch, cloud storage or an external drive.
Samsung’s Germany support page, updated March 27, 2025, describes Smart Switch as available for Galaxy Book models, but the retrieved documentation does not verify a Galaxy Book6-specific preload or port layout. Treat the app and hardware details as model- and region-dependent and confirm them on Samsung’s support site for your exact SKU: Samsung Germany Galaxy Book Smart Switch support.
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What Galaxy Book Smart Switch actually moves
Smart Switch is a selective migration tool, not an image backup. Samsung documents transfer categories that can include system settings, documents and Microsoft Store apps. You choose the categories and, where offered, individual folders or documents. The receiving storage location can also be changed during setup.
| Content | What to expect | Action to take |
|---|---|---|
| Documents and ordinary files | Supported files and selected folders can be copied. | Use the selection controls to include work, school, photos and project folders; verify them afterward. |
| Selected Windows settings | Samsung lists system settings among transferable categories, but does not promise every setting or policy. | Record unusual settings manually and review Windows settings after the move. |
| Microsoft Store apps | Some Store apps are supported; this is not an assurance that every app or its local data will be restored. | Open each important app and sign in again. Check its own export/import feature where available. |
| Traditional desktop (Win32) software | Automatic installation is not supported for all applications. Samsung Korea specifically says some Win32 apps cannot be transferred. | Reinstall from the publisher’s official installer and keep license information available. |
| Hidden and system folders | Samsung Korea says hidden and system folders are excluded. | Copy any needed data from those locations separately, using an external drive or another documented backup method. |
| Complete operating-system image | Not promised. Smart Switch does not turn the Book6 into an identical, bootable copy of the old PC. | Plan a clean application setup and retain the old PC until verification is complete. |
Samsung Korea’s June 5, 2024 support article states in translated form: “Automatic installation of apps is not supported, and some apps (such as Win32 apps) cannot be transferred.” That limitation is why a migration checklist is as important as the file copy: Samsung Korea Smart Switch guidance.
Step-by-step: transfer from the old PC with Smart Switch
1. Install and open the utility on both computers
Download and install the Galaxy Book Smart Switch application on the Windows source PC and the Galaxy Book6. Launch it on both machines. If the Book6 does not show the utility, use Samsung’s Galaxy Book support download for your region; do not substitute the phone backup/restore workflow.
2. Establish the connection
Put both computers on the same Wi-Fi network, or connect them by Ethernet to the same router. Samsung also documents a USB-cable connection when networking is unavailable. The cable must support the connection recognized by the two computers; Samsung’s cited pages do not specify a universal cable type, so check your Book6 ports and the old PC before purchasing one.
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3. Set the direction correctly
- On the old PC, select Send data.
- On the Galaxy Book6, select Receive data.
- When the old PC appears as a source, approve the connection on that computer.
If the two screens show opposite roles, stop and correct them before selecting files. The old machine must send; the Book6 must receive.
4. Choose categories and folders
Review the data categories shown by Smart Switch. Select the documents, settings and supported applications you want. Use the detailed selection controls to include particular folders or documents instead of accepting a broad category blindly. Exclude temporary downloads and duplicates when destination space is limited. If Smart Switch offers a destination-location control, choose the Book6 drive or folder with sufficient free capacity.
5. Start the transfer
Confirm the selection and start the transfer. Leave both computers powered and connected. Samsung says a transfer may take a few minutes, but it provides no guaranteed duration; the actual time depends on the amount of data and the network or cable connection. Do not shut the lid, restart Windows, or switch networks while the progress screen is active.
6. Finish and inspect the destination
When Smart Switch reports completion, select Done on the Galaxy Book6 and close the utility on the old PC. Open File Explorer on the Book6 and inspect the destination folders. Check representative files from every important category rather than relying only on the completion message.
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Post-transfer verification checklist
Do this verification while the old PC is still available. A completion screen confirms that Smart Switch finished its selected operation; it does not prove that every file, application or account was reproduced.
- Compare the old and new versions of your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Downloads and project folders.
- Open several large files, recent files and files with uncommon extensions. Confirm that they are not zero-byte copies or damaged archives.
- Search the old PC for folders stored outside your normal libraries, such as a second internal drive, custom work folder or application-specific export directory.
- Launch each transferred Microsoft Store app that matters. Sign in again and confirm that its documents, preferences and cloud connections are present.
- Install traditional desktop programs from their official installers. Record the old program version, plug-ins, templates and license or activation details before uninstalling anything from the old PC.
- Recreate browser profiles, password-manager access, email accounts, VPN profiles, printer connections, mapped drives and two-factor authentication devices. These often require a new sign-in or device approval even when related settings transfer.
- Check hidden or system locations separately if an application stores irreplaceable data there; Smart Switch excludes those folders according to Samsung Korea’s documentation.
- Only after this review should you factory-reset, sell, recycle or otherwise retire the old computer.
If Smart Switch cannot move everything
Use OneDrive for files already in the cloud
OneDrive is useful when your files are already synchronized or when you want the new PC to download them without a direct PC-to-PC connection. Microsoft’s file-migration guidance requires internet access and enough OneDrive storage. On the Galaxy Book6, sign in to the same Microsoft account, install or open OneDrive, and allow the required folders to synchronize. Wait for synchronization status icons to show that the files are locally available before opening them offline. Cloud availability does not reinstall desktop software or recreate every local application setting. See Microsoft’s file-move guidance. Storage allowances and plan terms change, so size your account against the data you actually need rather than assuming a particular quota.
Copy selected folders with external storage
An external SSD, hard drive or sufficiently large USB storage device is the offline alternative. Microsoft documents this route at Move your files to a new Windows PC using an external storage device.
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- Connect the external device to the old PC and confirm it has enough usable space.
- In File Explorer, copy—not move—the required folders to the device. Include custom folders and exports that Smart Switch may omit.
- Safely eject the device, connect it to the Galaxy Book6, and copy the folders into their final locations.
- Open sample files and compare folder counts before deleting the source copies.
An external drive is also a sensible second copy before migration. It is not mandatory for Smart Switch; choose capacity from the measured size of your data, not from a generic recommendation.
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Do not rely on Windows’ former PC-to-PC setup transfer
Microsoft’s support page says its described Windows PC-to-PC setup-transfer feature is no longer available and points users toward Windows Backup and Restore. The same page lists exclusions such as installed applications and OneDrive files for that experience. It is therefore not the main route for a Galaxy Book6 migration; use Smart Switch for supported categories, then OneDrive or external storage for the remainder: Microsoft’s current transfer-and-settings notice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which method should you choose?
| Method | Best fit | Requirements and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Book Smart Switch | A direct move of selected Windows-PC files, supported settings and some Microsoft Store apps. | Windows source; app on both computers; same network or a compatible USB connection. Not every app, folder or setting transfers. |
| OneDrive | Files already synchronized or users who prefer cloud access on the Book6. | Internet connection, the same account and adequate cloud capacity. Does not reinstall desktop applications. |
| External storage | Offline copying, custom folders, excluded data and an independent safety copy. | Drive capacity must exceed the selected data. Files must be copied and verified manually. |
| Windows PC-to-PC setup transfer | Not recommended as the primary Galaxy Book6 method. | Microsoft says the described feature is no longer available and identifies exclusions for that experience. |
For most Windows-to-Book6 moves, combine methods rather than forcing one tool to do everything: Smart Switch for its supported categories, an external copy for custom or excluded folders, and OneDrive when cloud synchronization is already part of your workflow.
Troubleshooting common failures
The Galaxy Book6 does not find the old PC
- Confirm both Smart Switch windows are open and that the old PC is set to Send data while the Book6 is set to Receive data.
- Reconnect both to the same Wi-Fi network or the same router by Ethernet. Guest networks, client isolation and corporate network policies can prevent device discovery.
- Temporarily disconnect a VPN and check Windows firewall prompts. Allow Smart Switch on the trusted private network when Windows asks.
- Restart Smart Switch on both computers. If discovery still fails, use the documented USB option and verify that the cable and ports support a data connection.
The transfer stops or is unexpectedly slow
- Keep both PCs on power and prevent sleep. Do not change networks during the operation.
- Retry in smaller groups, beginning with essential documents. This identifies a damaged file or a problematic folder without restarting the entire migration.
- Check free space on the destination and remove temporary files or choose another receiving location.
- For very large collections, use an external SSD instead of sending everything over Wi-Fi; verify the copy afterward.
An application is missing or will not open
That result is consistent with Smart Switch’s limits. Reinstall the program on Windows 11 or the Book6’s supported Windows edition using its official installer. Restore the application’s own backup or export, reinstall plug-ins, and sign in or reactivate the license. Do not assume that a transferred shortcut means the underlying program was installed.
Files appear to be missing
Use File Explorer search on the old PC for the filename and inspect nonstandard drives and folders. Hidden and system directories are excluded by Smart Switch, so copy needed data from those locations with external storage. Also check whether a cloud service kept files online-only; sign in and allow them to download on the Book6.
Galaxy Book6-specific cautions
Samsung’s available documents describe Galaxy Book models broadly or refer to 2021-or-later Galaxy Books. They do not establish that every Galaxy Book6 ships with Smart Switch, nor do they provide a universal Book6 port list or a single current minimum app version. Before starting, open Samsung Support for your country, search your exact Book6 model, and confirm the current download and connection instructions. The documented Windows-source requirement remains the key compatibility condition.
Do not confuse this process with Smart Switch instructions for Galaxy phones and tablets. Phone backup and restore menus are a different workflow and do not replace the Galaxy Book PC-to-PC procedure described here.
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