Move files using Backup and Restore
Applies To
Windows 11 Windows 10Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.
You can use your PC's Backup and Restore feature to help you move all your favorite files off an older Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC and onto a new Windows device. This option is best when you have an external storage device available. Here's how to move your files using Backup and Restore.
Notes: You'll need the following items to move your files:
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An external storage device, such as a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive
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Your old Windows PC
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Your new Windows device
Back up files from a Windows PC
Follow the below steps on your Windows PC:
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Select the Start button, then select Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore
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Select Set up backup
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Connect your external storage device to the old Windows PC, and then select Refresh
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Under Backup Destination, select your external storage device, and then select Next
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Select Let me choose > Next
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By default, all files under Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos will be backed up. You can back up additional files by expanding the locations under Computer and selecting the folders to back up
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Unselect the Include a system image of drives checkbox, and then select Next
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Select Change schedule
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Unselect the Run backup on a schedule checkbox, and then select OK
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Select Save settings and run backup to start backing up your files to the external storage device
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Safely remove the drive to ensure no files are lost or corrupted. To remove the device, select Eject before you disconnect the drive from your PC
Restore files on your new Windows device
Follow the below steps on your new Windows device:
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Connect the external storage device where you backed up your files to your Windows device
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Select the Start button, and then select Settings
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Select Update & Security > Backup > Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
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Select Select another backup to restore files from
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Select the backup created from the old Windows PC, and then select Next
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Select the Select all files from this backup checkbox, and then select Next
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By default, files from the backup will be restored to the same location on the new Windows device. You can choose a different location to move the files by selecting In the following location, and then providing the path to a new destination location
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Select Restore to start restoring files to your new Windows device