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How to transfer files from one laptop to another using a hard drive?

Hi guys! Recently I get a new PC and all my files are still stored in the old one. So I want to know how do I transfer all my files from the old PC to the new one. I have an external hard drive. If you guys have any ideas, please let me know! Good day!

Best Answered by

iBoysoft author Rivers Wong

Rivers Wong

Answered on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Hi there! Since you have an external hard drive yourself, to transfer files from your old PC to the new one, you can first transfer all your files onto that hard drive, then move these files from the hard drive to your new PC.

Hi there! Since you have an external hard drive yourself, to transfer files from your old PC to the new one, you can first transfer all your files onto that hard drive, then move these files from the hard drive to your new PC.

But before you do that, make sure that the storage space of your external hard drive is enough for storing all your important files. Otherwise, you'll have to transfer these files from your old PC to the new one in two separate transfers. Now, you can follow these steps to transfer files to your wanted location:

  1. Properly connect your external hard drive to your old PC.
  2. On the taskbar, select File Explorer, then locate and highlight the files and folders you wish to transfer to your new computer.
  3. Once you have highlighted your wanted files and folders, right-click on them, select Show more options > Send to, then select your external hard drive name from the list of options.
  4. After all of your files and folders are copied to your drive, safely disconnect the hard drive from your PC by clicking Eject to ensure no files would be lost or corrupted.
  5. Connect your external hard drive to your new Windows PC.
  6. Select File Explorer from the taskbar and select This PC on the left guide bar.
  7. Locate your hard drive and double-click on it, select all files and folders you just copied from your old PC, then drag and drop them to the desktop or whatever locations you want.

After that, your files will begin to transfer to your new PC immediately. Note that this process may take a while, which depends on the number and size of the files you transfer. Have a nice day!

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