Transferring app data from old PC to new PC?

GeekyDad

GeekyDad

Member
We're expecting new PCs this afternoon. We're currently using Windows 10, the new PCs will, of course, have 11. We've copied to app data folders to flash drives. Just wanna make sure I don't screw up the new PCs by placing the old app data on the new new computers. First, is it even okay (safe) to simply copy and paste those app folders into the app data folder of the new PCs? And if so, is there more to it than that? Should I reinstall the app software before or after pasting the older app data folders?

Thanks
 
You mean the app data where windows stores file settings/saves/etc. or are you refering to the actual folders where you installed your apps? Either way, you should do a fresh install for all apps to avoid any issues. Backup should be for stuff you saved, like work stuff, saves, etc.
 
What exactly do you mean by "app data"? There is a folder in Windows username\appdata, in which case - don't copy. Or do you just mean general shit from My Documents and random game saves?

Just install everything from scratch.
 
The AppData folder probably contains savegame/profile data for at least some games in your library. Why in the world devs choose to put that sort of stuff in a folder that's hidden by default is beyond me and it has burned me before, so I'd recommend going through and making sure you have any pertinent subfolders backed up before you transfer.
 
Applications generally install small files in various places. It's kind of rare on pc for applications to be in one place unless it's a portable installation. The only way you'll get them on the new PCs is if you use a transfer utility of some kind. Windows "may" allow you to do it, but there's also 3rd party software with this feature. Best windows experience I had was windows 7 to 8, but I haven't had much luck since. Now I fresh install whatever I want to keep.

My last idea would be to upgrade the 10's to 11, and then transfer 11 to 11. Could end up with more headaches though
 
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Better to only transfer individual folders to make sure you're not transferring anything you shouldn't/don't need to.

But overall I don't understand why you're doing this at all when steam cloud saves will just handle everything for you.
 
GHG said:
But overall I don't understand why you're doing this at all when steam cloud saves will just handle everything for you.
Click to expand...

steam is the only PC game store guys.
The More You Know Nbc GIF by For(bes) The Culture
 
I usually only do firefox bookmarks and thunderbird mail profile, doesn't take that long to reinstall the rest, and you get it all fresh.
 
What I usually do is back up all of the main folders, like %appdata% and whatnot, to a separate drive, then manually retrieve folders as I need them. That way you're not just throwing bloat into a new drive but you don't lose everything.
GHG said:
Better to only transfer individual folders to make sure you're not transferring anything you shouldn't/don't need to.

But overall I don't understand why you're doing this at all when steam cloud saves will just handle everything for you.
Click to expand...
It's the little exceptions that get you. I decided to install Sleeping Dogs on my new build but it turns out the Steam version doesn't have cloud saves. Oddly the GOG version does.
 
RagnarokIV said:
What exactly do you mean by "app data"? There is a folder in Windows username\appdata, in which case - don't copy. Or do you just mean general shit from My Documents and random game saves?

Just install everything from scratch.
Click to expand...
Yes, the folders within the username/appdata folder. Why should I not copy the folders I need over?
GHG said:
Better to only transfer individual folders to make sure you're not transferring anything you shouldn't/don't need to.

But overall I don't understand why you're doing this at all when steam cloud saves will just handle everything for you.
Click to expand...
So then, it is safe to transfer individual appdata folders over?

Steam isn't a concern at all (or any games for that matter). It's mostly my audio software - plugins, automation settings, etc.
thief183 said:
next step is coming here next month complaining that your PC stutter....

Do a clean install of everything
Click to expand...
Will pasting appdata folders into the new folder cause issues?
 
You could try something like reflect which will copy everything, then run a driver cleanup utility before installing any drivers for the new hardware. Depending on the age of the older hardware you may need to run mbr2gpt first. Worst case scenario is it doesn't work and you end up back at square one, best case is you have everything you want on the new pc.
 
GeekyDad said:
Yes, the folders within the username/appdata folder. Why should I not copy the folders I need over?

So then, it is safe to transfer individual appdata folders over?

Steam isn't a concern at all (or any games for that matter). It's mostly my audio software - plugins, automation settings, etc.

Will pasting appdata folders into the new folder cause issues?
Click to expand...
#1 Safe? Yeah. But will they work? Probably not. You'll have directory issues, and most likely not all data are in those folders
#2 At best, if it contains game saves or program settings, those will be saved, but again, I wouldn't expect much in terms of those programs actually working unless you use a transfer utility. For example, I have a game folder I install all my games to on C root, and while most of those games will work doing a simple copy paste job, some will not because they still put files in various places anyway
 
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TheUnicornGuy said:
You could try something like reflect which will copy everything, then run a driver cleanup utility before installing any drivers for the new hardware. Depending on the age of the older hardware you may need to run mbr2gpt first. Worst case scenario is it doesn't work and you end up back at square one, best case is you have everything you want on the new pc.
Click to expand...
But won't cause any issues with the operating system? That's my main concern. Like you say, worse case, I just build my presets back up from scratch. Just don't wanna cause issues with OS.
 
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Reizo Ryuu said:
it shouldn't but the appdata folder is basically a huge trash/storage bin that windows use for all kinds of things, so if you do want to transfer, only transfer what you need.
Click to expand...
Took that advice, and so far so good. Was able to get my presets, which was my main concern. The plugins I just reinstalled.

Thanks again, folks.
 
As an aside, any recommended times for allowing the desktop to go into sleep mode? I noticed after it goes into sleep mode and I click it back to life, it makes a sound like it's powering back up. Being concerned for the health of the hardware, I'm wondering if it's better to extend that. Currently, I have it set to a half hour for sleep mode, and 15 minutes for the screen to turn off.
 
GeekyDad said:
As an aside, any recommended times for allowing the desktop to go into sleep mode? I noticed after it goes into sleep mode and I click it back to life, it makes a sound like it's powering back up. Being concerned for the health of the hardware, I'm wondering if it's better to extend that. Currently, I have it set to a half hour for sleep mode, and 15 minutes for the screen to turn off.
Click to expand...
Your settings are fine, but personally I just shut down my computer and turn off fast loading to extend my SSD life. While the computer is on and at idle, it won't be doing much if was meant to sleep anyway, so screen off and HDD access settings are enough
 
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I'd copy the AppData files over first, then install the programs, choosing not to replace files if it prompts you.

That could lead to borked installs though, but it is the quickest.

It should mean you don't end up with your AppData overwritting important install files.

The best way is to indentify what AppData files contain user data and only copy that over. If you're going to that much effort though, you might as well clean install all the programs.

RagnarokIV said:
What exactly do you mean by "app data"? There is a folder in Windows username\appdata, in which case - don't copy. Or do you just mean general shit from My Documents and random game saves?

Just install everything from scratch.
Click to expand...

AppData is often where installed programs settings are (and in some cases user data).
 
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