Windows 10: Move Files From Windows 7 Desktop to Windows 10 Desktop Computers

My Windows 7 desktop computer powers itself off almost every day. So I bought a Windows 10 desktop and set it up.
Now I want to move all my data folders and files to it.
I will do fresh installs of my programs as I need them.

I copied most of my data folders to a USB drive - about 20 GB.
But I got warnings on many that said "Do you want to copy these files without their properties?" I said "Yes" because it would not have copied those files to the drive. There was about a thousand of them.

Do you recommend PCmover Express? Or other?
I should do it in small batches in case it powers itself off during a transfer?
Thanks, cb

:)

 

Windows 10 Upgrade Desktop Files

I am helping someone who upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7, but did not back up their files. Once the update was done, they moved files from the Windows.old folder to the desktop, but now all of those files are gone. After some research it appears
Windows 10 creates a temp profile when you first update, then deletes it. How can I recover those files that were moved to the desktop? They are no longer on the Desktop or in the Windows.old folder. If I go back to Windows 7 will those files come back? Or
do I need to try to use recovery programs?

 

thumb drive on my computers homepage

I just got a new mac computer and I want to know where the file is and how do I make it stay on my desktop

[Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Desktop, Start, & personalization / Desktop]

 

Are you planning a separate partition on your new desktop for data?
I think you will find, and others will hopefully comment on my comments, most have their data on a unique partition. Then when I image my OS / program drive I just image C: Check out the tutorials on moving your libraries within Windows.

Are you planning to Image your system, highly recommended. Will save your hours when needed.

Please check out Macrium Reflect as an Imaging tool. It is recommended and used by members on this forum. It is free, reliable and a fast way to restore to a working system.
Macrium Reflect - Backup and Restore
Have you created a Recovery Key so the day WIndows gets cranky you have boot media ready? Type recovery key in Cortana and follow process, likely need 8GB key.
As to moving your data if you have it on drive or key I would just start the process using copy and paste. Not sure how stable your power is but I wouldn't think this would take an hour.
If your power is shaky, and mine can be in the winter, welcome to freezing rain, invest in a suitably sized UPS. You system will reward you.

 

I have done all of that. What I need to do is transfer my data files.

I am concerned that if I copy them from the USB drive, I will have a problem later with the ones that said "Do you want to copy these files without their properties?"
Does anyone know why that happened? Would using PCmover Express do the same thing?
Thanks, cb

 

Hi there

loads of ways of transferring data files.

The easiest I'd suggest is on W7 use Windows explorer to copy files to external device - depending on size you've got USB stick / HDD or Cloud system .

Now boot your W10 system and simply copy back the files.

Always when installing a new OS keep OS and DATA separate (either on separate partitions or separate HDD's) -- that way if you re-install the OS you don't lose data.

These days also NEVER USE LOGICAL PARTITIONS -- if you need more than 4 partitions then format / convert HDD to GPT.

Booting from GPT in W10 is a lot easier - most modern computers are UEFI enabled --you don't need secure boot (in fact it's a bit of an abomination--causes no end of hassle actually -so switch it off if you can from the BIOS!!)

If you can't boot UEFI enable legacy boot but even in MBR DO NOT USE LOGICAL PARTITIONS !!! EVER EVER EVER. 4 partitions though is max with MBR. If booting from an SSD MBR is fine - so long as you only have the OS + pgms on it --keep data on other HDD's.

I assume these are all DATA files --not program installs etc.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Recovery key? I've heard of recovery drives, but not recovery keys.

 

"I am concerned that if I copy them from the USB drive, I will have a problem later with the ones that said "Do you want to copy these files without their properties?"

You should have no issues copying from usb backup. The new computer will recreate any hidden properties that weren't copied (like desktop .ini , fsort, thumbs). Just try a small folder first but I've moved tons of data after a clean install doing just what you did.

 

My error, Recovery Drive on a USB key.

 

I would not use any software - USB key is fine.

The properties lost probably aren't important - things like date last maintained etc - if you want to keep this information though format your USB key NTFS before you start. FAT32 (default formatting on USB keys) doesn't support all of the file properties that NTFS does.

No need to do it in batches (unless it will not all fit) as the old copies will still be on the Windows 7 machine so if something goes wrong you can copy it again.

 

I guess they got rid of Windows Easy Transfer in Win10?

 

Why not just remove the hard drive from the old computer and connect it to the new computer as a second drive?