howdo I transfer files from old laptop to new one

1. External storage (easiest and most reliable)

• Plug in a USB flash drive or external hard drive to your Windows 7 laptop.
• Copy the files you want (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.).
• Safely remove the drive, then plug it into your Windows 11 laptop.
• Paste the files where you want them.

Works even if the computers aren't on the same network Simple and doesn't require special setup

2. Home network file sharing

If both laptops can connect to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet:

• On the Windows 7 laptop:
  • Right-click a folder → Properties → Sharing → Advanced Sharing.
  • Enable sharing and set permissions.
• On the Windows 11 laptop:
  • Open File Explorer → Network.
  • You should see your Windows 7 PC listed. Open it and copy files over.

Might require enabling Network Discovery and File Sharing in both PCs' settings. Windows 7's security is outdated, so be cautious about leaving sharing turned on.

3. Direct cable transfer

• Buy a USB transfer cable (different from a standard USB cable).
• Install the included software on both PCs.
• Follow on-screen instructions to transfer files directly.

This is faster than a flash drive if you're moving a lot of data.

4. Cloud Storage (If your connection to the Internet has sufficient bandwidth)

• Install OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox on the Windows 7 laptop.
• Upload your files to the cloud.
• Log into the same account on your Windows 11 laptop and download them.

Great if you're already using cloud storage Can be slow if you have a lot of large files

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hth

Marcin