Safely eject the hard drive, then connect it to the new PC.Find the device in your file explorer, then drag the files you want to transfer onto the folder in the hard drive.The process of manually transferring files with an external hard drive is simple: Manual transfer with an external hard driveĪn external hard drive is a physical storage device that can help you transfer a few files or most of the contents of your PC, depending on the drive’s capacity.

Restore your files to their original location on your computerġ.

Allows you to retrieve files quickly but also store them long-term.

Restores your files to their original location.

Restore your files quickly if the transfer goes wrong.

Use Dropbox Backup to transfer files to a new PCĬopying files from your old PC to an online backup solution, then retrieving the data from your account on your new PC.

Generally designed for more large-scale, enterprise-level migrations.

More customizable than external hard drives and cables.

Third-party software that you install on both PCs

PCs don’t have to be next to each other.

Doesn’t require a physical deviceScalable.

Syncing files between PCs and storing them in a remote location.

Transfer speed is dependent on internet strength.

No external hardware or flash drives required.

Using Ethernet cables or a wireless internet connection to send files from PC to PC.

Often requires you to download and install software that you will only use once.

PCs need to be near each other and switched on at the same time.

Built-in software that automates the transfer process.

The cables’ software lets you select the files and folders you want to transfer.

Physical devices are vulnerable to damage, theft, and corruptionĪ cable connecting both PCs via USB ports.

Transfer files via a copy-and-paste process. Manual transfer with an external hard driveĪ storage device that you insert into one PC at a time.

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