How to transfer files from old to new computer on Windows 11 It is now possible to run Windows 11 by updating your Windows when your device has the requirements for system. It’s much easier to upgrade on to Windows 11 if you’re still running Windows 10. It’s not the case, however. Windows 11 doesn’t have the built-in “Easy Transfer” functionality. We are currently exploring the best methods to transfer files from an Windows 11 computer.

This means that transferring data between Windows 10 to 11 or from one computer to another isn’t easy.
There are a lot of easy methods to transfer files onto Windows 11. You don’t require an expert computer technician to assist you because it’s automated.
This guide will help you move files between Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Let’s begin.
Are you able to transfer files to the Windows 11 Computer from a Windows 10 PC?
How to transfer files from old to new computer on Windows 11
Yes. Microsoft makes it simple to transfer your files between Windows 10 to Windows 11.
But, you’ll require to install a new version of Windows 11 for an upgrade or a brand new computer. However, you can finish the process by following a couple of simple steps.
There is also sophisticated software that can transfer data with just a single click if you’re a skilled user. There are other options for transferring files manually using an USB Transfer cable or using an external HDD to move your documents.
We’ll discuss every option in the following section.
How to Transfer Files to a Windows 11 Computer
How to transfer files from old to new computer on Windows 11
In the ideal scenario, you will be capable of upgrading up to Windows 11 and safely transfer the majority of your documents. If you need to, make an encrypted backup of all your essential data files.
There are, in fact, four methods to achieve this. Let’s look at them.
In this post, we’ll show you the top three ways to move files from an old computer to a new one using Windows 11. There are various ways to achieve this. If you have upgraded to a new Windows 11 laptop or desktop and need to move your files from the previous model to the new one. It’s not an issue, but the approach you take will rely on how much data you have and the technologies you employ.
For instance, if you only have a few gigabytes of data, you may quickly transfer it to a new computer by uploading it to OneDrive and then downloading it (or other online storage solution). While using the Microsoft 365 subscription, transfers can be up to one TB in size.
A connected internet connection, together with a file-sharing feature built into the operating system, may help with the moving of gigabytes of material onto your laptop or desktop computer. Transferring your files to an external drive and then importing them onto the new computer may be the best option if you have a lot of files and don’t want to manage networks.
Three methods to move data from an old computer to a new one running Windows 11 are provided in this article.
- Use OneDrive to send files from one machine to another.
- Transmit files through a network from one machine to another
- Using a USB drive to transfer files between machines
Move files and data from your computer you used to transfer them to the new computer using OneDrive
If there’s not an extensive collection of files on your brand new computer, you can utilize OneDrive to download and transfer documents quickly.
From a computer which wasn’t working.
How to transfer files from old to new computer on Windows 11
In order to transfer files that you’ve stored on OneDrive and then allow the access of Windows 11 on your new Windows 11 computer, use these steps:
- Open File Explorer on Windows 11 (or 10).
- Paste the path into the address bar, then press enter:%HOMEPATH%Note: This guide assumes that your files are located within the default profiles’ folders. If your files are in another location then you’ll have to transfer your files to the initial location.
- Browse through every directory (Documents and Downloads Documents, Desktop, Music videos as well as Documents) to discover the location in which your documents are.
- Select a folder, select it and click copy. Hit to click the Copy button in the Command Bar. A quick tip Press and hold to press your “Ctrl” key and then click on each folder, and after that click”Copy” on the command bar. “Copy” button on Command Bar.
- Navigate to and browse your OneDrive Folder.
- Make the files ( “Ctrl + Shift + N” keyboard shortcut) and confirm a name, such as “Old_PC_Files. “
- Create an additional folder.
- Click on the Copy button located on the command bar.
- Repeat steps 4, 5, and 7 to upload the remaining folders onto OneDrive.




Once you’ve completed all the steps required, OneDrive will be able to sync your data to the help of an online account. (The uploading process could take a while if you have a lot of
New computer
Since your files are in the cloud, they are able to access them via OneDrive. OneDrive folder. If you wish to have them accessible within your local profile you’ll have to move your files by hand.
How to transfer files from old to new computer on Windows 11
For transferring files stored on OneDrive on to your next Windows 11 device, use these steps:
- Start File Explorer on the latest device.
- Choose OneDrive from the navigation pane to the left.
- Open the “Old_PC_Files”folder.
- Navigate to a folder like “Downloads.”
- Select all items using this shortcut: “Ctrl + A” keyboard shortcut.
- Select to the Copy button in your command bar (or choose to use the “Ctrl + C” keyboard shortcut).
- Cut and copy the URL into the address bar, then press enter:%HOMEPATH%A quick tip It is possible to use this shortcut “Windows key + E” keyboard shortcut to open an additional instance that is part of File Explorer since you will be moving between folders.
- Navigate to the folder that will retrieve the data, for example “Downloads.”
- Hit to the Copy button on the bar of commands.
- Continue step 4, 5 to 9. for restoring the data in the remaining folders.



Once you have completed these steps, all files from the previous device will be accessible when you install the latest Windows 11 computer.
Transfer files from old computer to new computer via the network
Alternately, you can share the folder that contains the files you’d like to transfer. Then, you can browse and transfer the files from the old device to the new. How to do work
From an old computer
To share a folder on the local network for the transfer of all your data to a brand new Windows 11 computer, use these steps:
- Open File Explorer.
- Start the directory by opening the folder containing the files you want to transfer.
- Right-click on the item and choose from the propertiesoption.
- Go to the Sharing tab.
- Hit on the Share button.
- Choose the group or user that you want to share this folder with with using the drop-down menu. For instance sharing the folder with the group Everyone. group.
- Hit on the “Add” button.
- In the “Permission Level” section, choose”Read/Write” as the “Read/Write” option.
- Select on the Share button.
- Select to select the “No, make the network that I am connected to a private network” option (if it is applicable).
- Verify the path of the folder’s network that other users must use to connect to the network’s content.
- Select on the “Done” button.
- Hit on the “Close” button.



Once you have completed the steps, you will be able access the files with the credentials you have on the computer you used to use.
If you are unable to sign in using the credentials of your Microsoft account in order to open the shared folder on the new computer, you might need to sign in using the local account. locally-based account.
From a brand new computer
To transfer your documents from your previous computer onto your new one via the network, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer.
- Choose Network from the left pane navigation.
- Double-click to launch the old computer on your right.A quick note: If the computer isn’t listed it is possible that you have to switch on networking discovery. You can also enter the path to the share into the address bar and then press Enter to proceed.
- Verify the credentials of your account to gain access to the shared folder.
- Select everything with this shortcut: “Ctrl + A” keyboard shortcut.
- Hit on the Copy button on the Command Bar.A quick note: If you have many files, it’s an excellent idea to move them to a couple of folders at a.
- Navigate to the folder to which you want it.
- Click the Copy button.

When you’ve completed all the necessary steps files on the old device will transfer to the new one. If you’re only moving only a handful of files and folders at one time, you might be required repeat the steps to transfer the remaining files.
It is also possible to complete this job even quicker using this tool, the Robocopy command line tool.
Transfer files from the old computer to new computer using USB drive
Another way to transfer your files from your desktop or laptop to a brand new Windows 11 device is to transfer your files to the USB flash drive an external hard drive, and then connect the storage to the new computer to load the files.
From an old computer
To save your files on an USB hard drive in Windows 11, use these steps:
- Attach to the USB hard drive with the computer you used previously.
- Open File Explorer.
- Paste the URL into the address bar, then press enter:%HOMEPATH%
- Browse through each folder (Documents and Downloads, Desktop Music, Documents, and Videos) to verify the location where your files are.
- Choose a folder, then click on the “Copy” button on in the bar of commands.
- Unlock your USB drive to the hard disk.
- Create the file ( “Ctrl + Shift + N” keyboard shortcut) and verify a name such as “Old_PC_Files.”
- Create a new folder.
- Hit to the Copy button on the bar of commands.
- Connect your USB HDD from your computer.



After you’ve completed the steps, you are able to join the storage device to the new system to recover the data.
From a new computer
To move your data via your external USB drive onto the newly purchased Windows 11 computer, use these steps:
- Make sure you connect your USB hard drive with the computer you want to use.
- Open File Explorer.
- Simply click on this Computer in the navigation left pane.
- In under the “Devices and drives” section Double-click for the USB storage and load the files to be transferred.
- Start by opening”the “Old_PC_files folder” and then copy the files onto the computer you want to transfer them.
- Navigate to any of your user folders like “Downloads.”Note: You could copy the contents of your user folders, copy and paste them, and substitute the users’ folders by copying and pasting them into the backup folders However, it’s a better idea to only duplicate the folder’s contents into identical folders on your new device in order to avoid mistakes.
- Select all items using”Ctrl + A” keyboard shortcut. “Ctrl + A” keyboard shortcut.
- Hit on the Copy button located in the Command Bar.
- Browse to your destination directory, for instance”Downloads” or the “Downloads” folder on the device you are using.
- Hit on the Copy button on the Command Bar.



When you’ve completed the steps after which the files from your previous computer will be transferred to your account running Windows 11.
KB5023008 was just released for Windows 11