Collect normal files
- Review Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, and custom project folders.
- Check shared folders, synced folders, and files stored outside the main user profile.
- Export anything that exists only inside a browser or specialized app.
Prepare applications and accounts
- List installed programs, licenses, subscriptions, and sign-in information.
- Back up accounting, email archives, templates, fonts, and databases using each program’s proper method.
- Confirm multi-factor authentication can move to the new device.
Verify before retiring the old computer
- Open sample files from the backup.
- Keep the old machine unchanged until the new setup is fully working.
- Use a secure erase only after data, applications, printers, and email are verified.
Stop guessing when the problem keeps coming back
Ask for migration help when the computer runs specialized business software or data locations are unclear.