Microsoft has ended the direct PC-to-PC transfer feature in Windows 11. The feature let users connect an old PC and a new PC to the same network and move files and personal settings directly between them. Microsoft's September 2026 update documentation states that it is no longer available. Microsoft points to Windows Backup as the alternative, which syncs supported files to OneDrive, and copying files manually with external storage is another option. However, moving files alone will not fully restore your previous working environment. When replacing a PC, you need to check not only where your files are saved, but also how Windows settings are restored and how apps are reinstalled.
Direct transfer ended in September, and the October update reflects it
In the preview update KB5124010, dated September 22, 2026, Microsoft stated that the PC-to-PC transfer feature is no longer available. The note appears in the Windows Backup entry, which covers features rolled out gradually, in the update documentation for Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2. Microsoft directs users to Windows Backup as the alternative.
The October 13 update, KB5127648, also incorporates the improvements from the September 22 update. However, it is not confirmed that the direct transfer feature was removed from every device on the same day. Microsoft's Japanese support page also carries a notice saying "This feature is no longer available," yet the previous step-by-step instructions remain below it. The presence of those instructions does not mean the feature still works.
With the discontinued feature, users paired the two PCs during the new PC's initial setup and moved files and personal settings over the same Wi-Fi or wired LAN. Requirements included signing in to a Microsoft account on the new PC and using an account with no existing backup. Whether a Microsoft account is required therefore cannot, on its own, distinguish the old direct transfer from the current Windows Backup.
How direct transfer and Windows Backup differ
Even before it was discontinued, PC-to-PC transfer did not clone an entire old PC. System files, OS-related files, and installed apps were excluded, as were saved passwords and sign-in credentials. Files stored in OneDrive and drives encrypted with BitLocker were also not covered. In other words, even with the old feature, apps had to be reinstalled after moving to a new PC.
Comparison of three transfer methods
This comparison draws on Microsoft's published pages: the PC-to-PC transfer explanation, how to use Windows Backup, and the external storage migration steps. It compares the file transfer route, scope, handling of settings and apps, account requirements, and capacity conditions. The information is based on documents as of November 11, 2026. For direct transfer it shows the specifications before discontinuation; for the other two methods it shows current guidance. It does not mean all three methods are still available, and it is neither a hands-on test nor a transfer speed measurement.
| Item | PC-to-PC transfer (before discontinuation) | Windows Backup | External storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| File transfer route | Direct transfer between PCs over the same Wi-Fi or wired LAN | Syncs to OneDrive; used on the new PC | Copy to external storage, then move to the new PC |
| File scope | Documents, photos, videos, and more in folders or drives. OneDrive files and BitLocker-encrypted drives not covered | Five folders selectable in the app, including Desktop | Files and folders selected in File Explorer |
| Windows settings | Personal settings transferred. Saved passwords and sign-in credentials not covered | Restores selected personal settings and supported items such as Wi-Fi networks and passwords | File copy only; settings cannot be restored |
| Apps | Installed apps not covered | Restores app pins. Apps must be reinstalled separately, and complete migration of in-app data is not guaranteed | File copy only; apps cannot be reinstalled |
| Account requirements | Sign in with a Microsoft account during new PC setup. Accounts without an existing backup | Personal Microsoft account required. Work or school accounts not supported by the app | No account needed for copying files. Requirements for new PC setup are separate |
| Capacity | No specific capacity limit stated in the compared document | Depends on free OneDrive space. Free accounts include 5 GB | Enough free space to store the copied files |
When moving to a new PC, it helps to treat file copying, Windows settings restoration, and app reinstallation as separate tasks. Finishing the file transfer does not mean your previous working environment has been fully restored. Conversely, restoring Windows settings does not mean files stored outside the backup scope have been moved. It also cannot be said that the old direct transfer, which ran over the local network, kept all communication, including authentication, entirely within the local environment.
Settings that Windows Backup can save include accessibility, personalization, language and dictionary, and other Windows settings. Account-related settings and supported Wi-Fi networks and passwords are also included. But the fact that credentials were excluded from the old direct transfer and the fact that today's Windows Backup can handle some settings and passwords refer to different features.
Where files are saved matters more than the 5 GB OneDrive limit
If you use Windows Backup, first check where the files you need are stored on the old PC. The folder backup feature in Windows Backup lets you select the following five folders. Files in the selected folders sync to OneDrive and become available on the new PC.
- Desktop
- Documents
- Pictures
- Videos
- Music
The Downloads folder and any other drives are not in this selection list. If you keep important files in such locations, you will need to plan a separate way to move them. That said, even for folders not on the backup list, you can still save files to OneDrive manually.
The 5 GB included with a free Microsoft account is OneDrive storage capacity, not a limit on an entire PC migration or a single transfer. How much you can actually back up depends on how much OneDrive space you currently use and how much remains. By comparing the total size of the files you want to move with your available capacity, you can judge whether you need more storage or another method. You can also combine approaches, such as moving large files with external storage and using Windows Backup to restore Windows settings.
According to Microsoft, backing up personal settings also requires signing in to OneDrive and having enough storage, and settings are not backed up if free space is insufficient. Because copying files to external storage does not restore Windows settings, you should also check the state of Windows Backup. In addition, the personal Windows Backup app does not support work or school Microsoft accounts.
What to check after moving to the new PC
If you use Windows Backup, first confirm that a backup has been created successfully on the old PC. Then, during new PC setup, sign in with the same personal Microsoft account and select the backup to restore. Note that what is restored for apps is their pins, so not all apps are installed automatically. Microsoft Store apps can be reinstalled from the restored pins, while apps obtained elsewhere require downloading installers from websites or other sources.
If you use external storage, copy the files from the old PC to the external media in File Explorer, then paste them into the desired locations on the new PC. Microsoft advises confirming that the files transferred correctly in their new location and safely removing the external storage afterward. Because the Downloads folder is among the locations Microsoft mentions when identifying what to move, it is important to list where you keep the files you regularly use before you start.
Even after signing in to the new PC and finishing the file copy, you may not be able to resume your usual work right away. Besides confirming that the files are in the intended locations and open without problems, check that Windows settings have been restored and that reinstalled apps work properly. App-specific settings and internal data in particular may not migrate completely, so individual checks are essential. Completing these checks before resetting or disposing of the old PC helps prevent missing data and problems in your working environment after the move.