PC Data Transfer in Buffalo, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

PC data transfer questions.

• What tools do you use for PC-to-PC transfer?

  Several depending on the situation. OneDrive sync handles many files automatically when both PCs use the same Microsoft account. Laplink PCmover and Zinstall are commercial tools that move applications and settings as well as files. For straightforward file copies we use external storage and direct copy. For PCs that won't boot, we pull the drive and access it through our equipment.

• Will my Windows applications come across?

  Files yes; applications usually need to be reinstalled on the new PC. PCmover and similar tools can sometimes move applications including registry entries and configuration, but these tools have limits and don't work for every program. We use them when they help and reinstall when they don't.

• My old PC won't boot. Can you still get the data?

  Often yes. Drive removal and direct read using our equipment works for most "PC won't boot" scenarios. For drives that have actually failed, see data recovery.

• What about BitLocker encryption on the old drive?

  If the drive was BitLocker encrypted, we need the password or recovery key to unlock it. The recovery key is usually in your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey. Without unlock, encrypted data is genuinely inaccessible.

• Will my Outlook email and calendar come across?

  For Microsoft 365 and Exchange-based email, just configure the new PC's Outlook with the same account; everything syncs from the server. For older POP-based Outlook setups with local PST files, we copy the PST file to the new PC and import.

• Will my Quicken / QuickBooks / TurboTax data transfer?

  Yes. Each app stores data files we copy across. The applications themselves need to be reinstalled and licenses verified on the new PC.

• What about saved passwords?

  Browser passwords sync through browser accounts (Chrome via Google, Edge via Microsoft, Firefox via Firefox account). Sign in on the new PC, passwords are there. Password manager vaults (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden) work the same way.

• Can you transfer between Windows 10 and Windows 11?

  Yes. The OS difference doesn't affect file transfer. Some application compatibility may differ if certain older apps don't support Windows 11.

• My PC has a lot of family photos and videos. Can you handle large transfers?

  Yes. Multi-terabyte transfers are normal. Wired connection or external drive intermediate makes large transfers faster than wifi.

• How much does PC data transfer cost?

  Quoted at the appointment based on volume and complexity.