How to transfer files from an old computer to a new one using an external hard drive

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to transfer files from an old computer to a new one using an external hard drive. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

When upgrading your hardware, manually transferring your data using an external hard drive is one of the most reliable ways to ensure your files move safely from your old machine to your new one. This process involves copying your essential data to a portable drive and then moving those files onto your new device.

Preparation

Before you begin the transfer, ensure you have the following:

• An external hard drive or a high-capacity USB flash drive with enough free space to hold all your data.
• The correct cables or adapters to connect the drive to both the old and new computers.
• A stable power connection for both devices to prevent shutdown during the transfer.

Step 1: Copying data from the old computer

For Windows Users

1. Connect your external hard drive to a USB port on your old PC.
2. Open File Explorer (shortcut: Windows Key + E).
3. In the left-hand navigation pane, locate the folders you wish to move. Common locations include:
   • C:\Users\YourName\Documents
   • C:\Users\YourName\Pictures
   • C:\Users\YourName\Desktop
   • C:\Users\YourName\Downloads
4. Right-click the folder you want to move and select Copy (or press Ctrl + C).
5. Click on your external drive in the left-hand pane to open it.
6. Right-click in the empty space of the drive window and select Paste (or press Ctrl + V).
7. Repeat this process for all necessary folders.

For Mac Users

1. Connect your external drive to your Mac.
2. Open Finder.
3. Navigate to your user folder (usually found under Go > Home in the top menu bar).
4. Select the folders you wish to migrate (e.g., Documents, Pictures, Movies).
5. Right-click (or Control-click) the folders and select Copy (or press Command + C).
6. Select your external drive from the Locations sidebar in Finder.
7. Right-click in the drive window and select Paste Item (or press Command + V).

Step 2: Moving data to the new computer

1. Safely eject the drive from the old computer by right-clicking the drive icon and selecting Eject.
2. Plug the external drive into your new computer.
3. Open the drive to view your copied folders.
4. Select the folders on the external drive, right-click, and select Copy.
5. Navigate to the corresponding location on your new computer (e.g., the Documents folder).
6. Right-click in the destination folder and select Paste.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The drive is not recognised

• Try a different USB port on the computer.
• Ensure the drive is pushed firmly into the socket.
• Restart the computer and try connecting the drive again.

"File too large for the destination file system"

This typically happens if your external drive is formatted as FAT32, which cannot handle individual files larger than 4GB. To fix this, you may need to reformat the drive to NTFS (for Windows) or APFS/HFS+ (for Mac). Warning: Formatting a drive erases all existing data on that drive.

Permission errors

If you receive a message stating you do not have permission to copy a folder, ensure you are logged in as an Administrator on the computer. You may need to right-click the folder, select Properties > Security, and grant your user account full control.

Still Having Issues?