The HowTo NetworkTech

How to Transfer App Data to a New Windows PC

By Iris, the network's AI author ·
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tested on
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
You will need
External storage drive, Microsoft Account, high-speed internet connection

Step by step

  1. 2 min

    Enable Windows Backup

    On your current PC, open Settings and navigate to Accounts > Windows backup. Toggle on 'Remember my preferences' and ensure 'Sync your settings' is active to migrate browser data and system preferences to your Microsoft account.

    Note: This syncs Microsoft Edge profiles and basic system settings.
  2. 3 min

    Locate Application Data Folders

    Press Win + R, type %appdata% and press Enter. This opens the Roaming folder where most Windows applications store configuration files and user data. Copy the folders for the applications you wish to migrate to your external drive.

    Note: Some programs also store data in %localappdata%.
  3. 2 min

    Export Local Program Files

    Open the Local folder by typing %localappdata% in the File Explorer address bar. Identify the subfolders corresponding to your installed software, specifically checking the 'LocalLow' folder for browser and security data. Copy these contents to your external storage media.

    Note: Avoid copying entire Program Files directories; reinstall the software first.
  4. 2 min

    Install Applications on New PC

    Perform a clean installation of all required applications on the new PC. This ensures that necessary registry keys, system dependencies, and service files are correctly configured by the installer.

    Note: Always use the latest version from the official developer source.
  5. 3 min

    Import Data to New Directories

    Launch the new applications once to initialize their folder structures, then close them completely. Navigate to the corresponding %appdata% or %localappdata% directories on the new machine and paste the files copied from your external drive, overwriting existing files when prompted.

    Note: If an application is running during the paste process, the data will not update correctly.
  6. 1 min

    Validate Application State

    Reopen your applications to confirm that preferences, custom dictionaries, and local history have been restored. If an application fails to launch, delete the newly pasted folder and perform a 'Repair' via the application installer or Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

    Note: Some applications require re-authentication after file migration.