
Move Your Files, Photos, and Email From Old Computer to New
If you have a new computer and an old computer and you want everything from the old one on the new one (without doing the migration yourself), we can handle that. We\'re a drop-off computer repair shop in Amherst, NY, and data transfer is one of our most common services, especially as customers replace aging machines and want to take their photos, documents, music, and email along without the headache of figuring it all out.
What we transfer: standard files (documents, photos, videos, music, downloads), browser bookmarks and saved passwords (when synced through accounts), email archives, application-specific data files (Quicken, QuickBooks, photo library files, video project files), settings and preferences where they migrate cleanly. What requires more than data transfer alone: software installation on the new computer (separate software installation service), email account setup beyond just copying archives (separate email setup service), the comprehensive new-computer treatment (our new computer setup service bundles these together).
This service exists because data migration is the part of "I got a new computer" that takes the most time and where customers most want help. Setting up Windows or macOS for the first time is mostly a wizard. Removing bloatware is mostly checkboxes. But getting decade of accumulated files cleanly across to a new system, in the right places, with nothing missed, takes care and time.
Our Mac data transfer page covers Apple-specific tools (Migration Assistant, Time Machine restore, target disk mode). Our PC data transfer page covers Windows-side tools.
What\'s Included in a Data Transfer Job
- Initial conversation. What you have, what you want transferred, where things should land on the new computer.
- Source assessment. Old computer, external drive, USB stick, NAS, cloud account, whatever the data lives on.
- Transfer planning. Best path for the volume and types: direct connection, network transfer, intermediate external drive, cloud sync.
- File transfer. Documents, photos, videos, music, downloads, application data files. Verified successful with checksum or quantity check on large transfers.
- Browser data. Bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history through browser account sync, or imported via export/import for browsers without sync.
- Email archives. Local mail files copied for email clients that store messages locally. IMAP accounts just need to be configured on the new computer (the email itself is on the server).
- Application data. QuickBooks files, Quicken files, photo libraries, video project files, music libraries, scanned document archives.
- System settings where they migrate. Wallpaper, dock or taskbar configuration, accessibility settings.
- Verification. Spot-check that files are actually accessible on the new computer and not just copied as inert files.
- Old computer optional handling. If you want, we erase or recycle the old machine after transfer is verified.
- Documentation. What was transferred, what didn\'t come across, where things ended up.
Common Data Transfer Scenarios
The new-computer migration
Most common. Customer bought a new Mac or PC, has an old one with files. We migrate. Often part of a larger new computer setup engagement.
The "old computer won\'t boot but I need the files"
Old computer has died or won\'t boot, customer wants the data. We pull the drive, connect to our equipment, recover the files to the new computer.
The external drive consolidation
Customer has files spread across multiple external drives accumulated over years. We consolidate to the new computer or a single new external drive.
The cross-platform switch
Mac to PC or PC to Mac. We migrate the portable data; applications need to be replaced with platform equivalents (separate from data transfer).
The estate or inherited computer
Family member passed, family wants the data off their computer. Photos, documents, financial records, anything sentimental or important.
The "I want everything off this old machine"
Customer is retiring an old computer and wants every file pulled off before recycling, so nothing gets lost.
The phone-and-tablet sync
Less commonly, customers want photos and contacts off old phones or tablets onto a new computer for archival or use. Different process than computer-to-computer but doable.
Why Customers Bring Data Transfer to Us
The right tool for the situation. Migration Assistant on Mac, various tools on PC, drive-pull when the source won\'t boot.
Volume handling. Hundreds of gigabytes or terabytes is normal for us, slow on most home setups.
Cross-platform when needed.
Verification that nothing got missed.
The work happens here.
How Pricing Works
Quoted at the appointment based on volume and complexity. Standalone data transfer is generally cheaper than full new computer setup because the scope is narrower.
Service Areas
- Amherst, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Williamsville, NY
- Tonawanda, NY
- Cheektowaga, NY
- Clarence, NY
- Kenmore, NY
- Lancaster, NY
Looking for platform-specific data transfer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions about data transfer.
