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XanderHart's avatar
XanderHart
Iron Contributor
Jan 18, 2026

Look for suggestions to transfer apps from pc to pc

I decided to trade in my old Windows 10 PC for a new one. Before starting the switch, I have to transfer my important apps from old pc to new one. These are mostly design and game apps. The challengi...
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HoltSawye's avatar
HoltSawye
Iron Contributor
Jan 18, 2026

What I need to tell you is that you cannot simply copy folders to transfer installed applications directly from one Windows computer to another. Installed applications are deeply integrated with the Windows registry, system files, and specific programme data locations. Copying the main Program Files folder will cause applications to become corrupted and inoperable on the new computer.

How to transfer apps from PC to PC

Stage 1: Old Computer Audit and Backup Preparation

  • Record all software that must be installed on the new computer.

  • Locate the installation package (.exe/.msi format) for each software, or bookmark the official download page.

  • Navigate to C:\Users\[your username]\AppData and copy the entire folder to an external hard drive 

  • Synchronise the old computer's ‘Documents’, “Desktop”, and ‘Downloads’ folders to the same external drive.

Stage 2: Installation and Configuration Restoration on New Computer

  • Using the checklist, install all applications on the new computer via official installation packages / download pages. Do not directly copy the Program Files folder from the old computer.

  • After installation, locate the configuration folders for each software from the AppData backup on the external drive (typically found in AppData\Roaming\[Software Name] or AppData\Local\[Software Name]). Copy these to the corresponding paths on the new computer .

  • Copy the backed-up folders such as ‘Documents’ and ‘Desktop’ from the external hard drive to their corresponding locations on the new computer.

Stage 3: Verification and Finalisation

  • Open each migrated application individually to confirm settings, personal configurations, and saved data are functioning correctly.

  • Enter the previously collected product keys to complete activation.

  • Run Windows Update and check for and install the latest versions within each application.

  • Once verified, format the external hard drive for reuse or retain it as an archive.

For most users, installing applications fresh on the new computer and then manually copying their specific settings and data folders from the old computer's AppData and Documents locations is advisable. This avoids potential instability from cloning and ensures your new machine starts with a clean, properly configured system.

 

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