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Transfer Data from PC to PC

Christmas is here and many of you will getting new computers.  Like many, getting a new computer is an exciting especially when replacing an old slower computer.  Just think, faster computing speed, more hard drive space, quicker boot up and more but there still is the problem how to transfer data from PC to PC.

As IT support services professionals, we have put together a few steps that can help you get your new system up and running quickly this holiday season.

  1. Archive Files

We face this issue with company networks.  Endless amounts of files and data from years of work.  You should ask yourself before transferring whether you need all your old files on your new PC?  You should review your files, delete unneeded files and archive important older files.  You can store your files on discs, USB storage, an external hard drive or online cloud-based storage like Google Drive.  To archive the most files possible, consider compressing your files.

Once your older files are deleted and archived, you can organize your remaining files on your new computer.

  1. Backup Your Files

Rule 101 of tech support services, always backup your data.  It is always better to be safe than sorry as there is always the possibility you could lose or damage files during the transfer.  To ensure that all your files are protected, be sure to backup all your data to an external hard drive or to cloud-based storage like OneDrive.

  1. Transfer Your Data

Once you have performed the steps above, you are now ready to migrate your files to your new computer.  You have several options available to transfer files to your new computer.

OneDrive is a free cloud-based online storage from Microsoft and it comes with 15 GB of space free.

Google Drive is a free cloud-based online storage from Google and it comes with 15 GB of space free.

  1. Transfer Your Files

After you transfer your files and data from your old computer to your new one, it is the perfect time to implement some new practices to protect your information from all the threats out there.

Backup your data regularly with File History

Windows 8.1 offers File History which is a unique backup drive option to protect your data against a computer crash. By using File History, you can backup copies of files that are in Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, Desktop folders and the OneDrive files available offline on your PC.  If you want to backup files that are located elsewhere on the computer, you must transfer them to one of the folders listed above.

Antivirus

Your system should have an active anti-virus to protect your system.  Make sure you setup the anti-virus for automatic scans and updates.  We recommend ESET and it provides great protection and uses very little resources.

  1. Wipe Your Old Hard Drive

This is the one step so many people miss.  You have to remember that once you move files off your old computer, they are not completely gone.  You should always wipe hard drives on systems you are retiring.  You can use third party software to wipe the drive or if you are going to recycle your system, you can physically destroy the hard drive.

We hope these steps help you enjoy your new computer and retire your old one with ease.

365 iT SOLUTIONS is a leading IT consulting firm in Toronto. We provide industry leading Managed IT ServicesIT Support ServicesIT Outsourcing ServicesTech Support Services and Cloud Services.

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