GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
28 January, 2025
Migrating to a New Windows Computer
If you want to migrate your existing user files, Microsoft apps, and Windows settings from a Windows 10 computer to a new Windows 11 computer, there is an easy method provided by Microsoft. It does require using a Microsoft account, which you already have if your Windows 10 account shows an email address in your profile instead of a Local Account, or you have an Outlook email account or a subscription for Microsoft 365 (Office). If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one. If you do not already have a subscription for Microsoft 365, you will need to sign up for at least the monthly Microsoft 365 Basic plan for $1.99 which can be terminated before the next monthly billing if you wish after completing the migration. This will provide you with 100GB of cloud storage to perform the Windows Backup System feature found in the Apps list on the Windows 10 computer.
As you go through the process of setting up the new Windows 11 computer, use the same Microsoft account email address and password used for the Windows 10 computer. One of the setup steps will guide you through the process of restoring your data that was backed up to your Microsoft account to the new Windows 11 computer. However, non-Microsoft programs will not be restored using this process.
After verifying that everything that can be transferred to the new computer has been completed, you may wish to perform a Reset on the Windows 10 computer if you are going to dispose of it or give it away. This feature is found in Settings, Recovery, Reset this PC.
See the following steps:
Click Get started (under Reset this PC):
Click Remove everything:
Click Cloud download (preferred, if connected to the internet) or Local Reinstall:
Click Change settings (underlined text):
Under Clean data? Change the button from No to Yes. This ensures secure removal of all your existing data. Click Confirm and proceed with the reset. When complete, it will be ready to begin a fresh new user setup.
