I am planning on replacing my current PCspecialist laptop with a new one from PCspecialist. Does anyone have any experience of using cloning software - i.e. transferring all your software and files from one PC to another, using software such as Zinstall or Laplink? Are such transfer packages reliable or is it easier just to do a new install of each program one-by-one?
PC Cloning
- Thread starter kk63
- Start date
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
Definitely a clean install. The drivers etc. in your old copy of Windows will not work on your new PC. In addition, Windows configures itself somewhat depending on the platform it's installed on and all that will be wrong for your new PC.
A clean install on a new PC is far and away the best way to ensure you get a good experience with your new kit.
A clean install on a new PC is far and away the best way to ensure you get a good experience with your new kit.
Definitely a clean install. The drivers etc. in your old copy of Windows will not work on your new PC. In addition, Windows configures itself somewhat depending on the platform it's installed on and all that will be wrong for your new PC.
A clean install on a new PC is far and away the best way to ensure you get a good experience with your new kit.
Thank you.
Oussebon
Multiverse Poster
Cloning would be perfect if you were swapping out the OS drive in the same computer. For instance replacing your HDD with an SSD.
But for a different system, which will have different hardware, different drivers, etc then it needs to be a clean install.
There is software that can help a bit with transferring files. e.g. FreeFileSync.
You could use it to copy the files and folders you want to move over to an external HDD.
Or you could use FFS to copy files/folders you select directly to the new PC via the network, for instance if you shared the drives on your old PC so the new one could access them. Or if you put them into external USB enclosures and connected them to the new system.
Ultimately that still requires you to pick what you want to copy, but it's probably still easier than manually copying and pasting
Edit: Depending on what programs we're talking about, some could just be copied over. PC games usually can be copied over, and then you make the relevant client 'discover' the files, without needing to redownload the whole thing. Though you may need to reinstall the client itself, rather than just copy the files for it over.
But for a different system, which will have different hardware, different drivers, etc then it needs to be a clean install.
There is software that can help a bit with transferring files. e.g. FreeFileSync.
You could use it to copy the files and folders you want to move over to an external HDD.
Or you could use FFS to copy files/folders you select directly to the new PC via the network, for instance if you shared the drives on your old PC so the new one could access them. Or if you put them into external USB enclosures and connected them to the new system.
Ultimately that still requires you to pick what you want to copy, but it's probably still easier than manually copying and pasting
Edit: Depending on what programs we're talking about, some could just be copied over. PC games usually can be copied over, and then you make the relevant client 'discover' the files, without needing to redownload the whole thing. Though you may need to reinstall the client itself, rather than just copy the files for it over.