New computer on its way - using Laplink to move my programs? (Page 2): Some software has a limited number of installs, some only has only one licensed install. Even though you are not...

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

BlueMorel wrote:

I've ordered a new Dell desktop and monitor, coming in a week or so. I plan on using Laplink PCMover to transfer files and programs from my laptop to the new tower, with the expectation that my existing programs, like Adobe and Office, etc, will work without having to reinstall any.

Any problems you foresee? Suggestions? My laptop is running the current Windows 10 updated.

Some software has a limited number of installs, some only has only one licensed install. Even though you are not actually using any application software installation procedures on the new computer, you may still run in to some licensing issues.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

juan_uy wrote:

Just personal opinion: I would go for the manual r... (show quote)

Thanks, Juan. Good point on the programs. I may choose to drag over only the few old programs I don't want to lose and reinstall the latest and greatest of those few whose versions are newest and most used by me. The new computer will have 16G, better graphics card, dual boot and storage drives, better all around. Tired of waiting for Lightroom to do its thing, looking forward to faster bootups, plus a 27" monitor for editing. And a workstation instead of a laptop sitting on a TV tray in the living room.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I agree with wwright above - you will almost certainly need registry files which would have been included in the original installations for everything to work properly (if at all).

ggab Loc: ?

BlueMorel wrote:

I've ordered a new Dell desktop and monitor, coming in a week or so. I plan on using Laplink PCMover to transfer files and programs from my laptop to the new tower, with the expectation that my existing programs, like Adobe and Office, etc, will work without having to reinstall any.

Any problems you foresee? Suggestions? My laptop is running the current Windows 10 updated.

Some thoughts:
1- Sounds like it transfers registry keys, if not entire sections of the registry or perhaps the entire OS.
2- One reason to start fresh with a new PC is to, "Start Fresh".
3- Why not just move your hard drive to the new computer?
4- I would ask Laplink if the device drivers from the old computer move to the new.
5- I would ask Laplink if your old PC has, say Windows 7 and the new one has Windows 10, will that cause a problem? Is it simply cloning your old drive?

Some things just off the top of my head.

ggab Loc: ?

BlueMorel wrote:

I've ordered a new Dell desktop and monitor, coming in a week or so. I plan on using Laplink PCMover to transfer files and programs from my laptop to the new tower, with the expectation that my existing programs, like Adobe and Office, etc, will work without having to reinstall any.

Any problems you foresee? Suggestions? My laptop is running the current Windows 10 updated.

From the LapLink site:
"*Applications may require re-entry of a license code or re-activating on the new PC. Certain system settings and applications may not be transferred due to their incompatibility with the operating system on the new PC. For more information, please read the User Guide!"

I guess that answers my question about cloning.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

ggab wrote:

Some thoughts: br 1- Sounds like it transfers regi... (show quote)

The old one has latest update of Windows 10, and presumably the new one will, so compatibility shouldn't be a problem.
Not moving an old-style HD into a computer that has much better faster more powerful drives, which is the whole reason I'm upgrading..
I will be reading all the documentation I can before using the program. My understanding is that Laplink has a responsive help desk if i need it. Seems like the people who had the most problems expected it to be a plug-and-play, while I expect directions and choices to pop up on the screen as the program does its thing.

Ny5y Loc: Mississippi

Get a copy of Acronis cloning software it moves identical programs with all keys installed and works!

CaptainEd

I've tried PC Mover twice, both with different but unsatisfactory results. The first time, I was moving from an HP to a Sony. It copied a lot of manufacturer specific drivers and missed license keys so I had to re-install software anyway. The second time, it simply didn't work and support could not make it work. I was using an external hardware instead of a cable, but it would never create a transfer file that could be read by the new machine. The drive was fine and still in use, it was the software. It would have been quicker to just re-install the software on the new machine and then copy over the Documents, Pictures, Music and what ever other data. Your mileage may vary....

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

CaptainEd wrote:

I've tried PC Mover twice, both with different but... (show quote)

Thanks, Ed, for the firsthand experience. I'm moving from a Dell laptop to a Dell tower, same Windows version, using a HDMI cable computer to computer. The Laplink software is what Dell offered as an addon.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

BlueMorel wrote:

Thanks, Ed, for the firsthand experience. I'm moving from a Dell laptop to a Dell tower, same Windows version, using a HDMI cable computer to computer. The Laplink software is what Dell offered as an addon.

Sounds good then - any probs and you could probably move the registry to the new computer - it might be worth looking at the registry - you could probably identify any entries relating to the apps you are transferring.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Longshadow wrote:

Does Laplink PCMover copy required system files also?
Programs are installed and OS system files are modified.
You just can't copy program file directories to another system, they won't run.
I've no idea how Laplink works.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

BlueMorel wrote:

I've ordered a new Dell desktop and monitor, coming in a week or so. I plan on using Laplink PCMover to transfer files and programs from my laptop to the new tower, with the expectation that my existing programs, like Adobe and Office, etc, will work without having to reinstall any.

Any problems you foresee? Suggestions? My laptop is running the current Windows 10 updated.

I'm in the process of adding a drive and moving all my files to the drive and programs. I wonder if this will work on that also. I'm to the point where my hard drive is so full my sister won't hardly run so I have to admit another drive and move everything to it.

But, since there's a lot more to it than just moving stuff, such as system files are changed there's any files that need moved the registry has to be changed there's so much involved Camille I think it's easier just to reinstall after uninstalling in my case and maybe in your case too.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

I used my old copy of "Karen;s Replicator".
I had a PC XP > 7 > 8,1 Windows disk, and made a clone on a newer drive.
Plugged it into a Mac Pro 3,1, installed my 2 year old Win10.
Reboot! A half day of DriverBooster and M$ upgrades and fixes later- it's alive!
It also took about 4 reboots and re-upgrades, but basically it was just following the instructions.
And reboot when asked.

wwright Loc: Tucson

BlueMorel wrote:

The old one has latest update of Windows 10, and p... (show quote)

One thing to keep in mind, while the OS version, patches, etc are the same - the hardware (processor, interface chips, disk model) may not be, and will have different firmware. That is where the registry hives are important. During the installation process the OS determines what it needs to install based on the firmware information. Sorry to sound so negative. My background is forty years of computer repair, the last twenty or so with Microsoft OS on Dell, HP, and Compaq platforms. Every time I opened a ticket with MS, the first steps were to update firmware and software, before troubleshooting began.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

If you don't already have your DATA backed-up, this is the perfect time to get an external hard drive and copy your data to it, updating it in the future as you make data changes on the new computer.
Do this before anything else. That way, if things go bad during migration from old to new machines, you still have your data. Legit programs can always be installed on the new computer in case they don't migrate well or a new Windows install is needed.