Microsoft kills built-in PC-to-PC transfers in Windows 11
· pcworld.com · popularity 20/100 · 0 similar stories today · Reference & How-To (Discovery & Research)
Read the original at pcworld.com →
Summary
Microsoft has done away with the most convenient way for users to transfer files and settings between two Windows computers: the local PC transfer, also known as the ‘PC-to-PC Migration Feature.’ Instead, you now have to use the ‘Windows Backup’ feature, which has a major limitation, as reported by Betanews . This is because the Windows Backup feature requires you to use OneDrive. However, the free version of OneDrive only provides 5GB of online storage. So if you want to transfer large amounts of data between an old and a new Windows PC using Windows Backup, you’ll need a paid OneDrive account. Alternatively, you can use another online storage service that offers more space, or an external hard drive, to copy large amounts of data between the two Windows computers. Microsoft removed the option for local PC migration on Patch Day in October 2026 with update KB5127648. This change had already been announced in September 2026 via the optional update (Windows Preview) KB5124010. So, with Windows Backup, data now follows this path: old Windows computer > Windows Backup > Microsoft cloud storage (OneDrive) > new Windows computer. As well as the additional cost of extra storage on OneDrive, another drawback is that your data leaves your local network and passes through Microsoft’s servers. Furthermore, you must have a Microsoft account to do this. Anyone wishing to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account cannot use Windows Backup. With the now-discontinued PC-to-PC migration, you could transfer data and account information from an old Windows computer to a new one via your local network. This process took place entirely over your local network; both Windows computers simply had to be on the same network. To learn more, see how Microsoft explains how the new Windows PC-to-PC migration tool works . By the way: If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you’ll miss out on the many benefits of the Pro version, which we’ve outlined here . The Windows 11 upgrade is available in the PCWorld Software Store for just $59.99 instead of $99 .
Found in: PCWorld. Rating basis: single outlet; outlet tier 2 (unlisted); 1 feeds; feed position 6.