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7 free tools to help you migrate data to a new PC or laptop
Getting a new computer is always a very exciting feeling, but it can be hampered when you realize you have to set everything up all over again. It can be a hassle to get everything up and running again, but thankfully, there are some tools that can help with this.
To help you out, we've rounded up a few of these tools that might come in handy if you're planning to get a new PC. And of course, we're focusing on free tools, because who doesn't love free?
How to back up your Windows 11 PC
Want to keep a full copy of your PC in case something goes wrong? Or just back up your files? It's made easy with Windows 11's system tools.
Mega
It can help, at least
One of the easiest ways to move your data across devices is to use cloud storage, and while most services have a pretty limited free plan, Mega is one of the more generous options. You get 20GB of data out of the gate, and that's plenty of storage space already to get your essential documents to your new PC.
If you're willing to deal with some repetition, you can always move some files to Mega, download them on your new PC, and then delete them from Mega to make room for new files, so you can move pretty much anything you could want. And for a lot of people, I imagine 20GB is actually more than enough for the files you actually need to keep.
Windows Package Manager (winget)
Install your apps more easily
Another helpful free tool for Windows users is the Windows Package Manager, or winget, which is included in Windows 11. Winget is more helpful when it comes to moving apps over, because it can back up a list of your installed apps, and you can then use that list to install all of those apps in one go on your new PC.
Of course, you may want to use a cloud service (like the aforementioned Mega) to move your backup file to the new PC, though you can also use something like a flash drive. This list is usually a very small file, though, since you're not backing up the apps themselves, just the necessary information to re-download them. Still, it's a very useful tool for setting things up quickly.
How to use Windows Package Manager (winget) on Windows 11
Windows Package Manager gives you an easier way to install and manage your apps on WIndows 11 and 10. Here's how to use it.
Time Machine
For Mac users
Let's make a quick stop on the Mac side of things for those who do prefer using that. If you're buying a new Mac, then the best way to move your data over may just be using the Time Machine backup feature, which is built into macOS.
Time Machine can create backups on network-attached storage or any connected disk, and you can easily restore it on a new machine. It makes it very easy to get up and running again, and you don't have to pay any money aside from buying whatever disk you're using to host the backups.
How to automatically back up your Mac with Time Machine
Protect yourself against data loss with these easy steps
LocalSend
Send files wirelessly
If you're going to have your new and old computers at the same time and they support wireless connectivity, an easy way to move files from one PC to another is using LocalSend, or another app like Quick Share by Google (though this one doesn't work on Mac). These apps let you send files wirelessly between devices and without using the internet, which makes file transfers extremely fast and keeps all your data private.
6 ways to share files locally on Windows 11
There are plenty of options
Apps like this are really only meant to send files, such as documents, images, and videos, so it won't help you move apps, but it's still very helpful.
EaseUS PCTrans Free
Very capable, though the free version is limited
EaseUS is a company you've probably heard plenty about, and it offers a wealth of tools for managing and migrating your data. One of these tools is EaseUS Todo PCTrans, and while there is a Pro version, there's also aa free option available that's still quite nice.
While it is limited to just 2GB of data, PCTrans Free can transfer not just personal files, but also apps (up to 5 apps in the free version, and some are restricted), and even user accounts, along with their settings. It's a pretty nice tool to have, and while it won't be able to handle everything you'd want, being able to directly transfer apps and user accounts is still a unique selling point for a free tool.
AOMEI Backupper Standard
Back up your entire disk or partition
AOMEI Backupper Standard is the free version of a very comprehensive tool, and while it comes at no cost itself, it actually offers pretty robust functionality. The free version allows you to backup entire partitions or even disks as an image file, and you can then easily restore it on a different device by placing that image file in an external drive.
Backing up and restoring images with this program is pretty easy and could save you a lot of time setting up. While you can backup entire drives including your operating system, it should be noted that this may be a bit cumbersome since your new PC will likely already come with an operating system. However, you should be able to do it by creating a dedicated partition to restore your data first.
Clonezilla
An advanced cloning tool
If you want to really get into the weeds to copy your entire installation and all your files to a new PC, then Clonezilla may be for you. This is a tool you don't just install on a laptop, and instead, it's a bootable image that you flash onto a USB drive. You boot from it and you can then back up your entire drive or simply clone it directly to a new drive.
Since it's a bootable drive, Clonezilla can be more helpful if your new PC doesn't have an operating system out of the box. You can boot it up from the USB drive, plug in the drive containing the backup image, and restore it to the brand-new computer. It's not something everyone will need, but those wanting as clean of a migration process as possible will probably prefer Clonezilla over any other solution.
Remove the headaches when switching to a new PC
All of these programs are helpful in different ways, and if you're buying a new PC, all of them are worth considering for various reasons. Personally, as someone who likes a fresh start as much as possible, I generally just move the few files I truly need with LocalSend, and then use winget to install or reinstall any apps I also need on every computer. But your needs will certainly vary, so check out whichever option suits you the best.
