How do I transfer files from old computer to a new one?

Question

I have a desktop and will get budget laptop. I'm a beginner interested in easiest and least expensive method. Simple, step by step instructions please.

Answer 1

use cd/dvds to backup data, or use pen drives. One more option is to buy an external USB casing for the hard disk, which can be used to place the desktop's HD and can be connected to the laptop via usb as an external HD

Answer 2

a flash drive...about $10-50 depending on size
step 1: go to walmart/meijer/best buy/radio shack and find a flash drive that is at least 1 gb space
step 2: go home and plug flash drive into usb port of your desktop
step 3: find all your files you wish to transfer and put them on the flash drive
step 4: take out of desktop and plug into laptop...the laptop should read the drive and automatically transfer the files or will ask you if you want to open the drive or where to transfer files
For step 3, you need to know how to find your files. You go to start, my computer, c drive, and then my docs or my music or my pictures or docs and settings has the files you have saved... or maybe you have your own folder
good luck

Answer 3

best way is to use an external drive to connect to ur desktop , copy all data and then transfer to laptop

cheapest way will be to buy a netwrok cable connect both computer and transfer data , but it will be complicated .

so just buy a 1/2 GB usb drive and transfer data else you can burn data to CD/DVD and then copy.

if you want to transfer you application settings from desktop to laptop use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to create a backup copy of your files and settings, which can then be used to restore settings in laptop (for windows XP)

Answer 4

Best way is to by and "external harddrive" and then you hoook it up(they are simple and come with instructions for beginners) and then you can send your whole harddrive to that one or just SOME files by DRAGGING and DROPPING them from the external to the new harddrive trust me it's easy and probably the best way

Cheapest way:
is to buy a flash drive which a 1gb is about 35$ and then just save the files you want to the flash drive and then unplug it and plug it into the new pc and load them onto that pc

Even cheaper way:
is to just burn the files onto a cd and then put them onto the pc,just insert the blank disc and goto START>my computer>whichever your cd drive is that has the blank disc>and then drag and drop files to it and all done load them onto the new pc

Answer 5

Hello and thanks for the question,
If you want easy then try this
http://www.amazon.com/Eisenworld-Inc-201-Aloha-Relocator/dp/B00006RZH2
it's nineteen bucks and is fairly straight forward. You can read a review of it here
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,1787533,00.asp

Alternatively you can buy a crossover cable and plug one end into the ehternet port (internet port if you use broadband) on each machine and trasfer the files yourself. Also there are some that use the USB ports like this one for $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812107130

Or you can burn them to a DVD from the old computer and place the DVD into the new one. Repeat for all your important files and as an added benefit you now have a back up. About $1 a piece if you buy a whole spindle

Or if you dont want to burn a lot of DVD's get a USB flash drive like one of these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2003240522+1309421175&name=4GB
For about $25 - $35 bucks you can have 4GB which is good. Plug it in to a USB port on your pc and "copy and paste"
files from the old and then plug it into your laptop and "cut and paste" to the new. Repeat till done.

There are also external hard drives (that others have suggested here) like these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000150414%20131021338&bop=And&Order=REVIEWS
but they can go easily over $100 and thats overkill in my opinion for just a one time transfer of files. They are better suited for backups.

Plenty of options choose what suits you and Cheers :D

Answer 6

Any of your local computer stores will have an A to A USB file transfer cord. Even Radio Shack has them. they come with a program. Here is a link to frys electronics. It is one for Vista but should work with XP

Answer 7

Instructions-
1. Start both computers.
2. Attached the USB(Pin Drive) to your old computer.
3. now Select your all file (Form your source drive), and press ctrl+C.
4. now open your USB Drive, and press ctrl+V.
Now take out USB form your old computer.This way your all old files which you want to transfer to new computer are saved in USB Drive.
5. now attached USB Drive to Laptop Computer and from here again you have to select all files and press ctrl+C.
6. now select your destination drive (ie. C:/, D;/, My Document Folder) and press Ctrl+V.
you can see all files which you need form your old computer are transfer to new computer.

Answer 8

Just get some blank cds or flash drives and copy the information onto them, then save them onto the new computers.

Answer 9

The easiest and safe way is that you should find a portable hard disk to transfere it... Or you can connect two commputers using network to have each other's data,,,

Answer 10

I'd buy a memory stick and download all my old files to it and the upload the old files to my new computer.