Windows 11 PC-to-PC Migration Is Gone: How to Move Files Without OneDrive

What changed? Microsoft removed PC-to-PC Migration in KB5124010

Microsoft’s September 2026 release notes explicitly state that PC-to-PC Migration is no longer available. The feature had been introduced through a phased rollout and was designed to copy files and selected Windows settings from an existing PC while setting up a new Windows PC. Microsoft’s support page for the feature now carries the same notice and directs readers to Windows Backup and Restore.

The original experience paired two computers connected to the same Wi-Fi or LAN. It could copy user files saved across folders or drives and selected personalization settings. It was useful when a new PC had a large Documents folder, Downloads folder, photo library or custom project directory that would be inconvenient to upload to cloud storage first.

Microsoft’s current support page is unusually useful because it still documents what the retired experience did and did not transfer. It says the previous PC could run Windows 10 or Windows 11, while the new PC needed Windows 11 version 2024 or later. The new PC also needed a Microsoft account that did not already have an existing backup. The feature was not available in China, and processor support was described as covering most Intel and AMD PCs.

Sources: Microsoft KB5124010 and Microsoft’s PC-to-PC Migration support page.

Four ways to move files to a new Windows PC without OneDrive

1. Use an external SSD or USB drive for the simplest large transfer

For most home users moving tens or hundreds of gigabytes, an external SSD is the easiest replacement. Copy the selected folders from the old computer to the drive, safely eject it, connect it to the new computer, and copy the data into the right locations. Microsoft documents this process as an official way to move files to a new PC.

1. Connect an external SSD or large USB drive to the old PC.
2. Open File Explorer and copy the folders you actually use. Check Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, Music, browser exports and any custom work folders.
3. Open the external drive and verify that the copied folders and important files are present.
4. Use Eject before disconnecting the drive.
5. Connect the drive to the new PC and copy the files into your preferred folders.
6. Open a sample of documents, photos and project files on the new PC before deleting anything from the old one.

Best for: large transfers, unreliable internet, people who do not want to change network settings, and anyone who needs an offline copy. For repeated transfers or very large files, an external SSD is generally a better choice than a low-cost flash drive.

Follow Microsoft’s external-storage transfer instructions ↗

2. Share a folder over your home network (SMB)

A Windows shared folder lets the new computer read files stored on the old computer through the local network. It avoids the two-copy process required by an external drive. A wired Gigabit Ethernet connection is often the more consistent option for a large migration; Wi-Fi performance varies with your router, signal and network traffic.

1. Connect both computers to the same trusted home network. On Wi-Fi, set the network profile to Private, not Public.
2. On the old PC, open Settings and search for Manage advanced sharing settings. Under Private networks, enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
3. In File Explorer, right-click the folder you want to copy, choose Show more options, then Give access to and Specific people.
4. Share it with the Windows account that will access it from the new PC. Use an account that has a password, and do not expose the share on a public network.
5. On the new PC, open File Explorer and enter \\OLD-PC-NAME\ShareName in the address bar. Sign in with the account credentials when Windows asks.
6. Copy the folders to the new PC. Keep the old copy until you have checked the transferred files.

Best for: moving large folders without buying extra storage, especially when both computers can use Ethernet. Microsoft explains the current Windows sharing flow in its file-sharing-over-a-network guide.

Optional: use Robocopy for large folder trees

If you are comfortable with Command Prompt or PowerShell, Robocopy can copy a folder tree to a network share and retry interrupted files. Run this on the new PC, changing the share path and destination to match your setup:

• /E copies subfolders, including empty ones.
• /Z uses restartable mode if a copy is interrupted.
• /MT:8 uses multiple threads.
• /COPY:DAT copies file data, attributes and timestamps; /DCOPY:DAT does the same for directory metadata.
• /R:2 /W:2 limits retries and the wait between retries.

Test the command on one small folder before copying your main data. Avoid /MIR for a first migration: mirror mode can delete destination files that are not present in the source. See Microsoft’s Robocopy command reference.

3. Use Windows Nearby Sharing for smaller batches

Nearby Sharing is built into Windows and can send individual files to nearby Windows PCs over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It is convenient for a handful of documents, photos or installers, but it is not the first option for a full 100GB user profile. Turn it on from Settings, choose the sharing scope on both PCs, then use the Share command in File Explorer.

Microsoft’s Nearby Sharing instructions ↗

4. Keep using Windows Backup and OneDrive if cloud restore suits you

Windows Backup is still useful for people who want cloud-based protection and restore. A free Microsoft account includes 5GB of Microsoft cloud storage. That quota is shared across eligible Microsoft services, so files and Outlook.com attachments can reduce the space available for OneDrive. If the data you need to sync is larger than your remaining quota, you will need to free space or choose a storage plan.

Windows Backup lets you choose the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music folders for OneDrive sync. Microsoft says its consumer Windows Backup app is designed for personal Microsoft accounts; work or school Microsoft accounts are not supported by that consumer flow. On a new PC, Microsoft Store apps can be reinstalled from restored app pins, while apps not available in the Store may require downloading their installers again.

Microsoft’s Windows Backup and Restore guide ↗ · Microsoft’s 5GB storage FAQ ↗

How to transfer files between two Windows 11 PCs over Wi-Fi or Ethernet

For a full migration without OneDrive, a private network share is a strong option when both computers are already on the same router. The basic steps are to share a folder from the old PC, open that share from the new PC, and copy the data. Microsoft recommends using a local area network for sharing between computers on the same home or workplace network.

For a more reliable large transfer, connect both PCs to the router with Gigabit Ethernet cables if the computers and router support it. If Ethernet is not practical, use the same private Wi-Fi network and keep both devices close to the access point. File counts matter: thousands of small files can take much longer than a few large videos even when the total size is the same.

Before disconnecting the old PC, compare key folders and open sample files on the new computer. Reinstall applications separately, sign in to browser profiles and password managers, and check email archives, game saves, virtual machines and specialist application data individually.

Is Windows Backup a full replacement for PC-to-PC Migration?

No—not for every use case. Microsoft’s current guidance directs people to Windows Backup and Restore, but the workflows are different. PC-to-PC Migration was designed to copy files directly from one computer to another during new-PC setup. Windows Backup uses a personal Microsoft account and OneDrive for selected folder sync, while also remembering supported settings and app information.

The old transfer experience also did not copy installed programs, sign-in credentials, OneDrive files or BitLocker-encrypted drives. It was a file-and-settings migration feature, not a replacement for a system image or a complete drive clone.

New Windows PC migration checklist: what to copy before you wipe the old PC

• Personal folders: Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos and Music.
• Custom folders: project folders on other partitions, work directories, source code, archives and local databases.
• Browser data: confirm bookmarks, extensions and passwords are synced or exported securely.
• Applications: make a list of installed programs and download installers from their official publishers.
• Email and specialist apps: check local Outlook data files, accounting software, photo libraries, game saves, development environments and virtual machines.
• Encryption: confirm you can unlock BitLocker-protected drives and have recovery keys before moving or retiring hardware.
• Verification: open files on the new PC, check important folders and keep the old PC untouched until you are confident the migration is complete.