These are $20 to $30, however, which is a bit much given their function. You can transfer directly from one computer to another with a Windows Easy Transfer cable. Internet settings and bookmarks from Internet Explorer The tool lets you select additional files and folders if you choose.Įmail settings, contact and message (from Outlook or Windows Mail) Here's what the tool will transfer.īy default, the contents of your Documents, Music, Pictures and Shared Documents folders. Windows 7 and Windows 8 come with the utility by default. It is available for download free of charge from Microsoft's website for Vista and Windows XP. Microsoft has its own software, Windows Easy Transfer, designed specifically for transferring settings. Users who are upgrading to a new rig rather than switching components will find this a quick and easy solution. The third migration option is to export your Windows settings into a new Windows install.
This means you'll have to go into Safe Mode and manually replace drivers until Windows is working again, a process that can become extremely tedious.
The operating system will attempt to detect your new hardware and install compatible drivers when it boots, but it may not be successful, and if it's not you may not be able to boot into Windows at all. Your existing Windows installation will include drivers compatible with whatever hardware it was originally connected to.
No special tools, software or hardware, are required. Choosing this route makes retaining data very simple. The drive will be detected and used to boot as long as you set it as the boot drive in BIOS. You can re-use a drive when performing a major upgrade or move it to a new computer.
The simplest way to move a Windows install is to move the hard drive it's installed to. Here are three ways you can move your existing Windows install - and the pros and cons of each. You probably want to use data from an existing installation, but doing so can be difficult if you're switching computers or performing a serious upgrade (like replacing the motherboard). One of the most serious is dealing with your Windows installation.
Your computer is ready to install updates whenever the Shut Down icon displays a yellow update shield or your computer prompts you to restart to install updates. You will need to restart your computer for the updates to properly install. Install Windows updates: This function is on by default, and will begin downloading updates as soon as you are connected to the internet.For more, see Activate Windows 11, Activate Windows 10, or Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Activate Windows: If you did not activate Windows during installation, click Start.Check antivirus software: Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.x include Windows Defender, Microsoft's built-in security suite.Create user accounts: Each person who will use the computer should have an individual password-protected account.What you should do immediately after installing WindowsĪfter Windows finishes installing, immediately do the following to increase security and enable smooth performance: