Last Updated on April 24, 2026
Unboxing a brand-new computer is exciting until you realize you have to manually move all your files, reinstall every application, and reconfigure your settings. Dragging folders onto an external hard drive takes hours, and it entirely leaves your installed software behind.
Fortunately, you do not have to start from scratch. Laplink PCmover Professional is a dedicated utility designed to perfectly replicate your working environment. It transfers your selected programs, documents, and user profiles right over to your new machine via your local network or a dedicated Laplink cable. It even preserves file ownership and security controls for computers with multiple user accounts.
Advanced Transfer Options
Aside from a standard network transfer, PCmover includes a few extra tools to handle tricky migrations.
First, there is the Image & Drive Assistant. This is a lifesaver if your old PC died but you still have its hard drive. You can connect that old drive to your new PC and restore your programs directly from it.
Second, there is the File Based Transfer option. If your two computers cannot connect to the same network, you can use this feature to pack all your data into one massive transfer file and carry it over on a portable USB drive.
Finally, the Profile Migrator lets you move settings and apps between two different user profiles on the exact same computer, which is highly useful for corporate environments using Active Directory.
Preparing Your Computers for Migration
Before you begin transferring gigabytes of data, you need to prepare both your old and new machines to ensure the software runs smoothly without crashing.
- Verify your operating system. Your new PC must be running the exact same version of Windows as your old one, or a newer version. You cannot migrate backward from Windows 11 down to Windows 10.
- Run Windows Update. Ensure your brand-new computer has all the latest mandatory security patches installed and rebooted before you begin.
- Free up some basic space. Both machines need at least 200 MB of free hard drive space just to install the PCmover application.
Installing PCmover
Head to the Laplink website, purchase your license, and download the PCmover executable file onto both computers.
Double-click the downloaded file and follow the standard on-screen prompts. If Windows User Account Control pops up asking for permission, click Yes to allow the setup launcher to run.
If you happen to have bought a physical retail box, simply insert the CD into your disc drive, click “Run Welcome.exe” from the AutoPlay menu, and follow the same installation wizard. Remember, you must install this software on both the old and new computers before moving forward.
How to Connect Your Two Computers
Go to your old PC and launch the application. If your Windows Firewall alerts you that the program is trying to access the network, be sure to click Unblock or Yes. If you block the software here, the two computers will never find each other.
On the main welcome screen, click the button labeled Transfer Between PCs.
Now, walk over to your new computer, open PCmover, and repeat those exact same steps until both monitors are sitting on the same prompt. Stop and do not click Next on either machine yet.
Run PCmover on Both PCs
Choosing Your Connection Method
The software needs a path to send your files. If both computers are connected to the same home Wi-Fi or plugged into the same internet router, simply choose the Network option and click Next on both screens.
If you purchased a specialized Laplink Ethernet or USB cable, physically plug both ends into the computers now, select the cable option, and click Next.
Look at your old computer’s screen. It will scan the network and should display the name of your new PC. If it does not show up immediately, click Scan Again. Once your new PC’s name appears, select it and click OK.
Customizing What Gets Transferred
Walk back over to your new computer and click Analyze PC. The software will scan your old machine to calculate exactly how much data needs to be moved.
After the analysis finishes, you have a choice to make. You can hit Transfer Everything to let the software do all the heavy lifting automatically. However, if you want to leave behind some digital clutter, click the Choose What to Transfer option.
Diving into the Customization Menu
Choosing to customize your migration opens up a highly detailed menu. Clicking the “Let Me Choose” button allows you to fine-tune four specific categories:
1. Applications: This opens a master list of every program installed on your old PC. Simply uncheck the boxes next to old games or software trials you no longer use. The software is smart enough to flag incompatible applications or system tools that shouldn’t be moved to a newer operating system.
2. Documents and Media: You can individually select or deselect specific folders for your pictures, music, and videos. If you want your old downloads folder to go straight to a backup drive on the new PC, you can modify the Target field to redirect the files.
3. User Accounts: If your old computer was shared by the whole family, you can review how those accounts will be recreated. You can edit the user privileges, merge an old account into your newly created admin account, or completely exclude a user from the transfer.
4. Advanced File Filtering: This section is strictly for power users. It allows you to modify specific drive mappings or set up file filters to automatically exclude certain extensions, like preventing any massive temporary files from migrating.
Starting the Migration
Once you are completely satisfied with your selections, review your final summary and click Start Transfer.
PCmover will begin securely packing and shipping your items across the network to the new machine. The time this takes will vary wildly depending on how much data you own and the speed of your Wi-Fi or transfer cable. Just let the computers sit. If the progress bar absolutely freezes for over an hour with no activity, you may need to restart the transfer.
Post-Transfer Troubleshooting
PCmover is incredibly accurate, but a few specific types of software always require a little manual intervention after a migration. You will almost certainly need to reactivate your antivirus software, download hardware-specific drivers for your new graphics card, and log back into programs that use strict Digital Rights Management.
If a transferred application refuses to open, try these quick fixes:
- Open the Windows Control Panel, find the broken app, and select the Repair option.
- Right-click the application shortcut and select Run as Administrator.
- Check the developer’s website for an update patch, especially if you migrated from Windows 10 up to Windows 11.
- If all else fails, completely uninstall the broken application and reinstall it fresh on the new machine. Your saved files and configurations will usually still be waiting for you.
How to Undo a Transfer
If something went horribly wrong, perhaps you migrated the wrong user account or your new PC is acting glitchy you can reverse the entire process. Just open PCmover on your new computer, click Undo Transfer on the welcome screen, and the software will roll your system back to the exact state it was in before you started.
Moving to a new computer does not have to mean losing your perfectly tailored desktop environment. By letting dedicated software handle the heavy lifting, you can get straight to enjoying your new hardware.
Laplink PC Transfer can be downloaded from their website here.
