Windows 11 is about to let you transfer data from your old PC during setup — here's how

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 in less than three months, which means millions of users will have to upgrade to new hardware to run Windows 11. To make the transition easier, the company is developing a new tool that will not only transfer settings but also files from an old computer to a new one. In a support document just published, Microsoft explains how the feature works.

How it works

The new backup feature uses your local network to connect the two devices and transfer all your files, settings, and personal preferences. On your old computer, you can open the Windows Backup app, select "transfer information to a new PC," and follow the on-screen instructions to pair the two devices with a special code.

Windows 11 will then ask you to select the folder you want to move. You can select any user folder, or even an entire drive (remember to decrypt BitLocker drives first). Next, just hit "Start transfer" and watch as Windows 11 transfers data from your old PC to your new PC over the network.

Once complete, the system will display a summary of the content that has been transferred. At this point, you can complete the initial setup as usual and all your important data will be ready to use immediately.

Limitations to note

Microsoft says this feature can't transfer the following content:

1. System files (Program Files, Program Data, Temp,.)
2. OneDrive data (needs to be set up separately on new PC)
3. Installed applications
4. Login and Password
5. Data on BitLocker drive (must be decrypted first)

The new feature is currently being tested for Windows Insiders and will soon be available to all users. To use it, your PC must meet the following basic requirements:

1. Old PC must be running Windows 10/11 (with latest cumulative update)
2. New PC requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later

Important: This feature is not currently available on ARM-based PCs. If you plan to buy a Surface Laptop 7 or an ARM-based Copilot+ PC, be prepared to manually copy your data until Microsoft fixes this limitation.

Jessica Tanner

Update 26 July 2025