Need to move files to a new PC? Windows 11 used to include a built-in way to copy files and settings from an old machine to a new one over the network. Microsoft has retired it. Here is what the release notes say, what replaces it, and how to move files without depending on any single tool.
What changed in Windows 11
Microsoft's notes for the September 22, 2026 preview update (KB5124010) state that "PC-to-PC Migration is no longer available." The same change is part of the October 13, 2026 security update (KB5127648). Microsoft's release notes point to Windows Backup instead. Microsoft has not given a reason, according to news coverage.
Windows Backup: what it covers
Per Microsoft's Windows Backup guide:
- Requires a personal Microsoft account. Work or school accounts are not supported by the Windows Backup app.
- Folders synced to OneDrive: Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music.
- Optional settings: installed apps, accessibility, accounts and Wi-Fi, personalization, language and other Windows settings.
- A free account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage, per Microsoft; personalization is skipped if storage is insufficient.
- On the new PC, sign in with the same account and choose restore.
Move files to a new PC without the cloud
Microsoft also documents moving files with an external storage device. If you are comfortable in a terminal, a copy tool can make the job repeatable. Windows ships with robocopy; the example below copies a folder and logs the result (replace the paths with your own):
robocopy "C:\Users\YourName\Documents" "E:\Backup\Documents" /E /R:1 /W:1 /LOG:E:\Backup\documents-copy.log
/E copies subfolders including empty ones, /R:1 /W:1 limits retries so a locked file does not stall the run, and /LOG writes a report you can check afterwards.
Verify the copy before you wipe anything
A file that copied is not always a file that copied correctly. For important folders, you can compare checksums on both machines with PowerShell's built-in Get-FileHash command (replace the path with your own):
Get-FileHash "E:\Backup\Documents\budget.xlsx" -Algorithm SHA256
Run the same command on the original file. If the two SHA256 values match, the copy is identical. For a whole folder, you can also compare file counts and total sizes in File Explorer's properties window, or re-run robocopy with the /L switch, which lists what it would copy without changing anything. An empty list suggests nothing is missing.
Common pitfalls
Path length and locked files. Very long folder names or files held open by another app can fail to copy. Close apps first and check the log if you used robocopy.
Cloud-only files. If a folder is synced with OneDrive, some files may exist only online until opened. Make sure they are downloaded before you copy them to a drive.
Wrong account. Windows Backup restores to the Microsoft account you sign in with. Sign in with the same personal account on both machines.
Quota surprises. If your OneDrive is full, backups can fail or skip settings. Check free space in advance.
A short migration checklist
- Inventory first: documents, photos, bookmarks, game saves, anything outside the standard folders.
- Check folder sizes against your OneDrive quota or drive capacity.
- Copy, do not move. Keep the originals until the new PC is verified.
- Use a password manager or each service's sign-in for credentials rather than copying files.
- Wipe or recycle the old PC last.
What Windows Backup does not replace
It is built around a Microsoft account and a fixed set of folders. Files on a second drive or in custom locations need another method. Per Microsoft, Store apps restore from their pins, and for other apps you are sent to the web to download the installer.
Takeaway
The lesson for developers and IT-minded readers is the same as for everyone else: document your migration steps, keep them tool-agnostic, and treat any built-in convenience feature as something that can change in a future update.
The one-click network transfer is gone, but the job is still simple: Windows Backup if your data fits, an external drive or robocopy if it does not. Test a restore before you retire the old machine.
What is your go-to method for moving to a new computer?
Sources
- Microsoft Support, "September 22, 2026âKB5124010 (OS Builds 26300.9550, 26200.9550, and 26100.9550) Preview"
- Microsoft Support, "Transfer your files and settings to a new Windows PC"
- Microsoft Support, "Back up and restore with Windows Backup"
- Microsoft Support, "Move your files to a new Windows PC using an external storage device"
- BetaNews, "Microsoft has removed PC-to-PC file transfer from Windows 11, pushing OneDrive instead"
- gHacks, "Microsoft Removes PC-to-PC Migration From Windows 11 and Points Users to OneDrive-Based Windows Backup"
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