How to transfer data between computers

Many people keep their computers for years. They may update a few components and deal with maintenance issues to keep their computers running at their best. However, there comes a time when there’s nothing you can do to speed up or fix your aging computer anymore. Then it’s time to get a new one.

• Things to do after buying a new computer

The new computer will run faster and better in all aspects. However, switching to a new computer also makes it difficult for you to transfer all the important data from the old computer to the new one. We cannot leave behind data such as study documents, business data, photos, music files, videos and many other important things on the old computer.

Luckily, this isn’t as difficult or tedious as you might imagine. There are a few different options available on the market today, depending on how much data you want to transfer.

All of the methods are pretty straightforward, but choosing the right one for your needs will make the process go more smoothly. In this article, we’ll explore some of the quickest and easiest ways to transfer data from your old computer to your new one.

How to transfer data between computers

• 1. Set up data transfer via SMB
• 2. Using FTP
• 3. Use external storage
• 4. Use cloud storage services
• 5. Connect directly to Firewire
• 6. Email the attached file to yourself
• 7. Use USB transfer cable

1. Set up data transfer via SMB

1. Make sure both computers are on the same network.

Server Message Block (SMB) is a protocol for transferring files between computers over the Internet. It is the easiest and fastest method for transferring large files between laptops.

• Use only secure connections - do not try this over public networks.
• Make sure to password protect your user profile on both computers for added security.
• The server is the computer that contains the files, the client is the computer you want to transfer the files to.

2. Set up the machine to act as a server.

The server machine is the machine that currently holds the files you want to transfer. You will need to change the network settings by specifying a workgroup name. This workgroup will act like a conference room where your two computers meet. The name for the workgroup can be anything you decide.

• In Windows operating systems, select the workgroup name through the Computer domain and workgroup settings. Applying this change will trigger a PC restart.
• On your Mac, select the workgroup name via System Preferences > Network-> Advanced > WINS . Select your workgroup name and apply the changes.
• In both cases, remember the "name" of the machine acting as the server.

3. Switch to laptop as client.

Follow the same process to set up the network workgroup on the client. Make sure to use the exact same workgroup name as you did with the laptop acting as the server.

4. Access the files and start transferring data.

Now it's time to start moving your files. Search for the "name" of the laptop that is acting as the server and click on it to access all the shared folders from that laptop.

• In Windows, open the Network app. All the computers in the shared network workgroup should appear within seconds, including the server laptop you just set up.
• On a Mac, all computers in a shared network workgroup appear in a Finder window.

2. Using FTP

1. Set up FTP server.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is another convenient way to transfer files between computers using only the Internet. First, you'll need to make sure the computer you want to transfer has access to it. FTP is generally best if you find yourself needing to periodically access your two laptops.

• On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Sharing > Services and select FTP Access. Next, click Start and wait for the changes to take effect. Note that this path may be slightly different in different versions of OS X.
• In Windows, go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off . Next, click the plus icon next to Internet Information Services (IIS) , then check the box next to FTP server . Click OK.

2. Install FTP client on the computer that acts as client.

This is software that allows you to easily access an FTP server using just the server address or IP address. Popular applications include FileZilla, WinSCP, Cyberduck, and WebDrive.

3. Access files on the FTP server from the FTP client.

Now, all you need to do is log in to the FTP server from the client computer and access the files for fast and secure transfer.

• On your Mac, go to Finder > Go > Connect to Server . You'll be prompted to enter the server or IP address of the machine acting as the server. Enter it and click Connect.
• In Windows, open your Internet browser and type the IP address of the computer acting as the server directly into the address bar. Go to File > Login As . Enter your username and password to log in.
• If you have trouble finding the IP address of the computer that acts as a server, please refer to the article: How to view IP address on computer, view Win 10 IP address .

3. Use external storage

Obviously, this is what most people think of when transferring data between computers. You just plug the USB flash drive into one computer to copy the data, then plug it into another computer and paste the data. If you have a lot of data, you can use an external hard drive .

Using an external hard drive not only helps you transfer your data, but also gives you a backup of your data in case of data loss. This process can take a long time depending on the amount of data you need to transfer.

If both computers have USB 3.0 ports , you can use a flash drive to transfer more data and speed up the process. A faster way is to check if the computer you are transferring data to has an eSATA port or SATA slot. If so, disconnect the hard drive from the old computer and connect it to the new computer. It will show up as another hard drive on the new computer. You can transfer data via SATA faster than using USB.

Of course, one option is to burn the files to a CD or DVD and then copy them to your new computer. However, CDs and DVDs are much slower than hard drives, so this option can be time-consuming – especially if you have gigabytes of music, photos, videos, and other data to transfer.

Note, you can only use external storage to transfer files and folders, this method cannot transfer Windows settings and applications.

4. Use cloud storage services

The last option is to use the Internet. You can upload files to cloud storage services and download them to your computer such as Dropbox , Google Drive , OneDrive , etc. You can also use email to transfer data.

Cloud drives are a great option because there are no file size limits as long as you have enough storage space. Also, if both computers sync the local folder, when one computer uploads a file, the other computer will immediately download it.

If you don't want to use cloud storage but want to upload large files, try Plustransfer.com. You can upload up to 5GB at a time and you don't even need to sign up for an account.

If you want to speed up the transfer process, you can use the website File.pizza. This is one of the easiest tools to share files with friends. It is a peer-to-peer application, so when one computer uploads a file, another computer can download it immediately.

5. Connect directly to Firewire

1. Check laptop compatibility.

Both laptops will require a firewire input, and you will need a suitable firewire cable to connect them. This method makes the most sense if you are transferring data between two Macs or two PCs. If you are switching between operating systems, consider a different method instead.

2. Plug in both ends of the Firewire.

Firewire plugs come in a few different forms - double check that you have the right cord and adapter to fit both of your laptops before you begin.

3. Access the server computer through the client computer.

Use your client laptop (the computer you want the file to go to) to find and access your server laptop (the computer with the file). Once connected, it will appear on your desktop or somewhere else external hard drives usually appear.

4. Drag and drop files as usual.

Now that your laptop is directly connected, you can change files as needed, similar to any other file management process on your computer.

6. Email the attached file to yourself

1. Set your own email address as the receiving address.

Emailing yourself can be a quick and simple way to send a smaller file or two to another computer.

2. Attach files to email.

Different email clients (eg gmail, hotmail, yahoo) have different attachment size limits. Some allow you to drag and drop the file directly into the email body while others require you to click on the attachment icon and then browse for the file on your computer.

3. Log in to your email on the computer that acts as the client.

Now download the attachment.

7. Use USB transfer cable

To transfer data between computers, you can use some data transfer cables. It is faster than using a hard drive because copying and pasting data is done simultaneously from one computer to another. When using an external hard drive, you are essentially transferring data between three drives, while using this cable reduces it to only two drives.

Transferring data from Windows computer to Windows computer : If your new computer still uses Windows operating system, you can use EasyTransfer USB cable such as Belkin's F5U279.

It allows you to connect two Windows computers together using a USB-to-USB connection. This method works faster when using USB 3.0 ports on both computers.

Transferring data from Mac to Mac: Apple has its own proprietary port, called Thunderbolt, that allows you to daisy chain (several computers or computing devices connected together to form a chain) and transfer files between Macs. So, use a Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt cable and make file transfers as simple as transferring data between a USB flash drive and a hard drive.

Transfer data between Windows/Mac/Linux computer to Windows/Mac/Linux computer: Use Ethernet cable to build a local network without router . You need to make sure it is a crossover Ethernet cable , that is, the color patterns on one end of the cable do not match the other end of the cable. Set up the network on both computers and transfer the data.

You see, transferring all sorts of data to a new computer is a relatively simple task. In fact, transferring personal files and folders—and even personal settings—is probably only less tedious than reinstalling the apps and tools we installed on our old Windows. So the fear of having to transfer large amounts of data should no longer be a barrier to buying a computer. It’s a lot easier than you might think.

Good luck!

See also:

• 5 ways to transfer data between phone and computer without cable
• Move data to a new hard drive
• Migrate data, applications from Windows to Linux in just minutes