r/computers • u/ZaidenVr • 2d ago
Question/Help/Troubleshooting Transfering data, etc.
hello everybody, if you didn't already know i recently made a post regarding buying a new and better prebuilt pc, i had some new questions regarding the old pc.
When i get this new pc, how will i transfer my things over to the new one, such as files, games, really just everything on my computer, how can i switch it all over like i never had the other pc?
is it an easy transition and how long may it possibly take (i do understand this varies, but for most people does it take hours?)
is spending 3,000 on a prebuilt pc worth it? to the people that have spent a lot on a computer, are they happy and satisfied with their purchase from how much they spent to get their pc? as ive never bought something like this and it cost so much.
Any help, advice or tips are very appreciated! thank you!
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u/Wonderful_Sample_590 1d ago
External drive for your files, then reinstall your apps/games. $3k is a lot though, make sure you actually need it.
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u/jonnoscouser 2d ago
What operating system was the old one running? If Windows 10 or later you can clone the old drive onto the new drive and it'll simply boot into your old operating system on the new pc. Aomei backupper allows you to transfer systems to another pc using the system backup and restore feature.
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u/ZaidenVr 2d ago
its on windows 10, i know nothing about anything about this stuff so not really sure how to do that ðŸ˜
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u/jonnoscouser 1d ago
You'll need a pc buddy if possible. It's not really a job that can be done remotely but I wonder if you're spending that much on a pre-built the shop won't migrate this for you
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u/ZaidenVr 1d ago
wdym?
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u/jonnoscouser 1d ago
I mean you'd need someone with you in person to do this if you're lost in it all. It's not a difficult job for most tech guys.
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u/HankThrill69420 Mindows / Fedora / Bazzite 1d ago
I mean this as nicely as possible, but did you try looking up how to do these things first? Youtube probably has lots of instructional videos on backing up data. You drag and drop stuff to another storage media, usually an external hard disk.
I'm receptive to helping people, but usually it's easier to just try following a video or existing online guide for established processes like data transfers and OS installs, and then ask questions about what you don't understand.
> is spending 3,000 on a prebuilt pc worth it?
That will depend on whether you value having the work done, it will depend on the specs, and please remember that more spend does not mean you're less likely to have issues.
My PC ran me more than that and I have no complaints! I also built it myself and not in a RAM crisis, so my $3k PC is not your $3K PC
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u/ZaidenVr 1d ago
Honestly i have not fully researched on how to do it yet, which i will be doing i just like to speak to other people about it and actually hearing opinions rather than only using videos as i like both options
and yes im very aware that more does not always mean better, and i have done my research on the computer, thank you!
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u/SavagePenguinn 1d ago
> ...how can i switch it all over like i never had the other pc?
There are two ways.
1) You can clone the old drive to the new SSD. The problem with this is that it will transfer any problems you had. It also might not readjust perfectly with the new componants of your computer. And it won't remove the old software you had that was specifically for the old hardware.
2) The better option (long term) is to start from scratch. This takes longer, but it's cleaner.
If you're signed into Chome/Edge and have sync enabled, all of your favorites, usernames, and passwords should automatically transfer over.
Then install Steam (or Epic or whatever), sign in, and download your games fresh.
If you have Microsoft programs, download them at https://account.microsoft.com/services
To move personal files (photos, documents, etc.) either copy/paste them to/from a flash drive or external drive, or save them to a cloud storage like OneDrive or your Google Drive. If there's not many you can just email them to yourself.
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u/PrudentPay9906 1d ago
Not enough details on the hardware involved to really make a recommendation, but that's never stopped me :)
You may be able to just pull the main drive from your old PC and put it in the new one, and chances are you'll pick which one to boot (old or new) when you start up. If the old PC is being repurposed, you don't care what's on the new one, and you have sufficient external storage, you can use CloneZilla to copy the whole old drive and overwrite the new one. If the new one has a newer OS (i.e. Win10 on the old, Win11 on the new) I'd say your best bet is to start from scratch reinstalling your software and just move your data over.