Comparing Ways to Transfer Programs (Not Files) to a New Computer

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Getting a new computer? Making the move to your brand new PC? Once you’ve bought a new computer, you might have to reinstall everything from scratch and personalize it the way you like. Since the data on your old PC is generally large in size, manually reinstalling every single application can be a little intimidating task. The process can take several hours or even days. This is why people love to automatically transfer programs from old PCs to newer ones using the specialized applications. Looking for various ways to transfer programs to your new PC? We’ve got you covered. Read on to find out different ways to accomplish it.

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Microsoft Recommended: PCMover Express (Free)

During the golden time of Windows XP, Microsoft introduced a utility called Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. Starting from Windows Vista, Microsoft replaced it with another Windows Easy Transfer. Users could use it to transfer programs, settings and files from one computer to another. Microsoft discontinued it again in 2015 with the introduction of Windows 10. Microsoft partnered with a third-party software developer Laplink. Microsoft’s deal with Laplink allows Windows users to get a free license to Laplink’s premium product PCMover Express.

Using PCMover Express, you can:

  • Transfer application settings/ configurations
  • Transfer user profiles and other data
  • Free transfer assistance

However, a major limitation with the Express edition is its inability to transfer applications between PCs. You will need to reinstall your programs back on the newer PC before you transfer any application settings. Or you can upgrade to the Professional edition for $29.98. The Professional edition offers you all the program features. In addition to Express features, you can transfer applications, restore an old PC image to a newer version of the operating system, image and transfer your existing hard drive, and do much more. 

In short, you only need to reinstall your programs back but you can get back all application-specific configurations and settings, user profiles, documents and other files without additional efforts.

Steps

  1. Install PCMover Express on your old and new PCs.
  2. Connect both the computers to the network using a Wired LAN cable or Wireless Wifi Network.
  3. Launch PCMover Express on your old PC and you’ll see a wizard-interface guiding you through the entire procedure.
  4. Click on Next twice.
  5. Select the Old PC icon, and click Next.
  6. Choose your network type:
    1. Wifi or Wired Network: We recommend this option. If you’re connected to a wireless Wifi or wired LAN cable, select it.
    2. Laplink Ethernet Cable: Use this option if you’ve already purchased a Laplink ethernet cable to transfer your data. It can take several days for physical delivery.
    3. Laplink USB Cable: Use this option to transfer your data using a Laplink USB cable that you’ve already purchased.
  7. Click on Next.
  8. Wait for some time. PCMover will scan your old PC to retrieve the list of installed programs, system/ user configurations.
  9. After the scan is finished, click on Next to start the actual transfer process.

EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free Edition

EaseUs Todo PCTrans is another third-party alternative to Laplink. EaseUs assists you to migrate your installed programs, user profile, system settings, files and folders onto your new PC. EaseUs has a seamless, automated transfer process. You can set up your new PC without having to reinstall your programs from scratch.

  • You don’t need to reinstall or set up the programs from scratch
  • Fully automated transfer process
  • Transfer can take 2 or more hours depending on the size and nature of your data
  • Supports popular applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe CC 2019 and other Adobe family products, AutoCad, Line and Dropbox
  • Transfer your applications, user data and system settings.
  • Guides you through the entire procedure
  • Free technical support for paid users

Major Freeware Limitations

EaseUs has a freemium model for its customers. The free edition has major restrictions and is not suitable for all users.

  • You can transfer upto only 500 MB of user data
  • The maximum number of applications you can transfer is only 2 applications

The Pro edition costs $49.95 for one license applicable to 2 PCs. You can transfer unlimited number of applications, user profile files and avail technical support at no additional cost. It also supports transfer between local disks of the existing hard drive.

Supported Transfer Methods:

EaseUs Todo PCTrans supports the following transfer methods:

Network Transfer

This is an over-the-Internet transfer method. If your old and new PCs are connected to the same Local Area Network (LAN) connection, you can use this option. You don’t need an external removable storage medium to store and copy your data.

Local Transfer

Choose this option if you need to transfer applications on to another drive or folder of the same hard disk. In other words, you can transfer programs to another location on the same computer using local transfer.

Build System Image

A System Image is a snapshot of single or multiple partitions of your hard drive. It is a special file type that acts as a complete backup of every single bit of data on your disk at a specific point of time. EaseUs Todo PCTrans generates a system image of your disk and exports it to your new PC.

How to transfer your applications and data to a new computer?

  1. Install EaseUs Todo PCTrans on both of your new and old PCs.
  2. After successful installation, launch the program on both devices.
  3. On your old PC, use the left side navigation menu to select the “PC to PC” transfer option.
  4. Click on the “PC to PC” button at the bottom of your screen.
  5. EaseUs will display nearby devices connected to the EaseUs servers. Select your new/ target PC from the list.
  6. If your new PC is protected with a password, type your password. Leave the field blank, if no authentication is required.
  7. Select “Transfer from local PC” and click on Connect.
  8. In the subsequent page, select the items you want to transfer. You can see the size of the item underneath each item.
    • Applications
    • Files
    • Accounts
  9. Make sure to check “Create a restore point for the operating system of remote PC”. A restore point will help you get back to the previous working state, in the event your transfer process abruptly fails.
  10. Click on Transfer to begin.

Manually Transfer Program Files Along with Application Data & Registry Entries (Only For Advanced Users)

This approach may or may not work depending on your application’s configurations. Each application stores data to different directories of your hard disk. Even more, these locations vary for different versions and editions of the same application. It is not possible to ascertain and replicate the exact structure of this data without contacting your developer. Even if you manage to get most of your data, the program may not load, behave unexpectedly or crash to Desktop in the absence of some significant registry entries or data files.

We recommend this method for only small-sized, freeware applications having no complex data and registry structures. Here’s how to accomplish it:

Steps:

Step 1: Export Program Files

Program Files is the recommended installation directory in the Windows operating system. There is a good chance that you’ll find your application installed under the “Program Files” or “Program Files (x86)” directory. Your 32-bit software applications are installed under C:\Program Files (x86) and 64-bit under C:\Program Files.

Step 2: Export Application-specific Registry Entries

A large majority of the Windows applications store their configurations into different locations of your hard disk. Windows Registry is commonly used to store and load data at runtime. Registry is a huge, complex database consisting of thousands of millions of entries. In order to export the application-specific Registry entries, you’ll need to first identify your application’s registry hive.

Open up the Run dialog by pressing Windows Key + R simultaneously. Type RegEdit, and click OK.

The Registry Editor interface is divided into two parts. The left hand side panel allows you to browse through different keys, sub-keys. The right-hand side panel allows you to create and modify new string and binary values and other forms of information.

Look for your application’s entries into HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software. Any entry created under HKEY_CURRENT_USER node could be applicable for only the current user you’ve logged in. If you poke around, you’ll find another registry hive HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE that contains entries for all user accounts on your PC.

You can also initiate a search to find app-specific keys. Click the Edit menu, select Find. Type in your application’s name and click Find Next.

To export your registry settings, select the node you like to export. Click on File, followed by Export. Type in a file name and hit Save.

You can import these configurations on to your new PC by clicking File, selecting Import and then choosing your file.

Step 3: Transfer Your Application Data (“AppData”)

AppData is an abbreviation of Applications Data directory. It is a common folder that contains multiple sets of settings for different users logged in to your PC. It is easier to find application-specific information into the AppData directory in contrast to Registry. It is a common pattern among most applications to create a new sub folder to store their configurations. Starting from Windows Vista, the AppData folder location remains the same till Windows 10.

Windows 10/ 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista::

C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Local\Temp

There is another alternative way to open the AppData folder without browsing through your folders. Simply open the Run dialog using Windows Key + R key combinations. Type %AppData% and click OK. Windows will automatically open up the AppData folder.

As you open the AppData folder, you’ll find three sub-folders named Local, LocalLow and Roaming. Browse through each folder and look for the application you like to move. Right-click on your application’s folder and select the Copy option. Paste the folder on to an external hard disk or a USB Stick.

Let us take an example of VLC Media Player. The application data for VLC is stored inside 

C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Roaming\VLC. Simply copy this VLC folder on to an external drive and then transfer to appropriate directories of your new PC.

Step 4: Transfer Dependencies

If your application requires dependencies, you will need to transfer them as well. For example: Some applications require Microsoft .NET Framework or Microsoft DirectX to be installed on the host machine. Refer the ReadMe documentation to find out about such dependencies and transfer them as well.

NET Framework installation directory:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework\.NETFramework

Merely copying the dependency files may not work. You’ll need to find and export all the associated registry entries and other files as well. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup is a common registry path.

Step 5: Transfer Program Shortcuts

Shortcuts are files that point to specific applications or files on your hard disk. Transfer the program shortcuts from your Desktop and Start Menu to your new PC.

Windows 10/ 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista::

  • C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
  • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

That’s it. Using the above steps you can manually transfer your application.

Vikas
Sorcim Technologies (pvt) Ltd. | + posts

Vikas is a technology enthusiast who loves writing articles on computers and technology. He writes on various topics related to software, software reviews, troubleshooting and tips & tricks to make people's digital lives better.