Microsoft is discontinuing its built-in tool for local data transfers between two Windows 11 PCs. According to an updated support document, the company will default to its OneDrive cloud service for future data migrations.
What the Legacy Transfer Tool Offered
Previously, users could migrate files and personalization settings, such as desktop wallpapers and themes, directly over their home Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable from an old PC to a new one. The key advantage was evident: the transfer took place entirely over the local network and was not constrained by cloud storage limits, relying solely on network speeds and drive performance.
However, this solution did not offer a complete system migration. Installed applications and saved credentials were not transferred, requiring manual reinstallation and setup on the target machine.
Cloud Requirement Clashes With 5 GB Storage Cap
Serving as its replacement is the integrated OneDrive-based Windows Backup. With this approach, data to be migrated is uploaded to Microsoft’s servers first and then downloaded onto the new device. This effectively makes cloud connectivity the default route for native PC-to-PC migration.
For many users, this presents a significant hurdle: the free tier of OneDrive provides only 5 GB of storage. Anyone looking to move large document folders, photo collections, or media libraries to a new PC will quickly hit this cap without a paid Microsoft subscription. Furthermore, the migration time will now largely depend on the upload and download speeds of the user’s home internet connection.
Workarounds for Affected Users
Once this transition is fully implemented, Windows 11 will no longer include a built-in, local PC-to-PC transfer option. Users will be left with the choice of temporarily upgrading their OneDrive storage plan or resorting to manual workarounds:
- External Storage Media: Manually transferring files using an external USB hard drive or SSD remains the most straightforward method to move large volumes of data quickly and without requiring a cloud account.
- Network Shares: Users can set up shared folders within their local home network to copy documents directly from one PC to another.
- Storage Checks: Before switching PCs, users should verify how much cloud storage they have available if they plan to rely on automatic recovery via their Microsoft account.
Sources: Borncity.com
