Forum Discussion
How do I transfer data from broken laptop to new one?
I'm facing a challenge with transferring data from my broken laptop to a new one (Windows 11). The old laptop isn't functioning properly, and I’m unsure of the best method to retrieve important files and documents. I have tried basic troubleshooting, but I need guidance on how to safely access the data without causing further damage. So detailed steps or recommendations for services that specialize in data recovery would also be helpful.
Thank you!
That’s not happening if your laptop isn’t booting up or responding at all. To transfer data from broken laptop to new one. It’s a good idea to figure out if it’s just a software issue or if the hardware is toast. Take a sec to listen for weird sounds or check if it shows any signs of life.
If your old laptop is completely unresponsive and you can’t retrieve files normally, consider using an external hard drive enclosure if you are going to transfer data from broken laptop to new one. You can pull out the hard drive, connect it via USB to your new laptop, and access your files that way.
Just make sure that you've followed this step-by-step tutorial:
https://www.recodie.com/transfer-data-from-broken-laptop-to-new-one
Before transfering data from broken laptop to new one, please use Microsoft’s built-in tools like File History or OneDrive to backup your important stuff along the way. Once you’ve got access, don’t just drag and drop everything. Organize your files first – it’ll save you a ton of headaches later. You don’t want to end up with a scattered mess of documents when you finally get them to your new machine.
How to transfer data from a broken laptop to a new one? Checking what's going on with your old laptop. Can it turn on? Does it boot up at all? If the laptop can turn on but isn’t functioning properly, try booting in safe mode. Sometimes, this will allow you to access files and copy them over to an external drive or cloud storage. If it successfully boots in safe mode, I recommend using Microsoft OneDrive to sync your important files to the cloud. This way, they’re safe even if the laptop dies completely.
Once you’ve got that hard drive plugged into your new laptop, it should show up just like an external drive. Open it up and start exploring! This part is where you might find all those forgotten selfies, random downloads, and that one essay you thought you lost. Tip: Focus on important folders like Documents, Pictures, and Desktop first.
As you copy files over, take a moment to organize them. Your future self will be so grateful. After you’ve transferred everything, it’s a good idea to once again back it all up using OneDrive or File History in Windows, just in case. That way, if you’re ever in this situation again (hopefully not!), you’ll have everything on hand without a scramble.
If you can’t access the laptop at all, you’ll likely need to get your hands dirty. This is where the fun begins. You can take out the hard drive from your broken laptop. Just make sure you have the right tools (like a screwdriver) to open it up. When I did this, I bought an external hard drive enclosure online (they’re like $20-30), which lets you plug the drive into your new laptop through USB. Then it becomes like an external drive. which you can plug into your new laptop using USB.
Connect the external hard drive (the one from the broken laptop) into your new laptop. Open File Explorer on your new laptop. The connected hard drive should appear like any other drive. Browse through the folders and copy over the files you need. Next you are able to transfer data from broken laptop to new laptop.
