Tommg

I just purchased a new computer and I have a question. The new computer came with windows 10 already installed. Using Acronis 2020, I have a full backup of the old computer on an external drive. Now for the question: if I restore the backup on the new computer (as I mentioned earlier I already have windows on the new computer, so I don't think I want/need to mess with installing windows 10) ... will the restore bring all my programs over to the new computer? One specific example ; I have MS office on the old computer will the restore to the new computer install MS office? The same example also applies to all the other programs on the old computer. Thanks for any help

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Acronis has a special feature to move to another computer - follow the instructions exactly and you may still have to tweak a few things when done.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

That surprises me as the appropriate registry entries will have to be changed, but I am not that familiar with Acronis, so will be interested to see how that works out. Hope the OP keeps us informed.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

There is also an app just for moving to a new machine that Microsoft has on their recommended list of software. PC Mover = https://web.laplink.com/transfer-programs-to-new-computer/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc

lautenk2

Your Acronis backup of your old computer is most likely useless for your new computer. If you try to restore that backup to your new computer, it will replace the Windows 10 on your new computer with whatever OS was on the C: drive of your old computer, and your new computer will not be able to even boot up. I have used a few versions of Acronis over the years, and the "full backups" that it makes can only be used to restore to the same original computer. Possibly you could restore to another computer with identical hardware, but I wouldn't bet much money that that would work either.

Do you still have the old computer and the old Acronis? If so, you could make backups of drives or folders from the old computer containing only data, and restore them to equivalent places on your new computer. You should enlist some local help to do this.

You cannot just make backups of your c: drive or program folders from your old computer and restore to a new computer and then expect anything to work. All of the programs on the old computer will need to be installed on the new computer, just copying the program files to the new computer will not result in a working program.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but what you're trying to do will be a bit more complicated than you have planned for so far. The good news is that it's possible to copy over all your data by any of a few different methods. Re-installing all your programs will involve case-by-case considerations.
- Some programs allow multiple installations (then no problem),
- others need to be de-registered from the old computer before installing and registering on the new computer,
- and some others may only be registered/licensed to one computer (your old computer) and you need to pay again to install them on another computer (and this is likely to happen with MS Office assuming you don't have a multiple installation license). Sorry again, it can get complicated.

Please don't be discouraged. When I've done this myself (many times now, and I think it's kind of fun) it's pretty much used up all my free time for a week or so. Then after that I'm real happy to have a shiny new fast dependable computer for several years. Good luck. Get some local help.

Tommg

You are probably correct, but Accronis claims that a full backup can be restored to a new computer with only minimal problems, plus the acronis is able to move programs as well (both to the existing computer whose hard drive has crashed and a new computer)... that is the only reason to purchase the Acronis software in the first place. I'm hoping that I can figure out a way to "get-r-done"
I do have a copy of MS Office 2007, but it's an "upgrade" program which requires an existing version of MS office to upgrade to the 2007 version, as of now it looks as though I'm in a bit of a conrundum unless I can find someone with a 2007 version of MS office that they would like to get rid of on-the-cheap". The interesting part of this entire project is that my wife uses ms outlook for her email and that about all I need the program for (she does not want to change to any other email service for her email ...

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have Acronis True Image 2019 (about the 4th version I have owned), the feature, in "Tools" is "Acronis Universal Restore", it creates a special boot media to use to transfer your backup to another computer that is "dissimilar". Or your own computer if you had to replace components and the new ones are different.

lautenk2

MS Outlook is about all I use as well. Last time I looked, Outlook was only offered in a package with a few things I never used, clever marketing on the part of MS.

If the newer Acronis claims to be able to "restore" to a "new" computer I'm not gonna argue , I've been happy with their products so far.

Be sure to do a full backup of your new computer as it is now. You might want to return to what you have now if anything goes wrong with the restore process.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

You are about to create a huge mess!

HOHIMER

I think this will screw up your new computer!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Personally, I would copy over the data files and re-install the aps (typically from the installation files in the download folder), but I’m interested in how this turns out. I just don’t see how Acronis is going to find every registry entry for every ap AND modify or add it as appropriate for the new HW, but I’m always eager to learn. It’s easy enough for Microsoft with their aps, but for the zillions of others, every one will make different registry additions and changes AND many of those will be affected by the HW.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

To be even faster, install the drive from the old machine, temporarily if you wish, and copy what you want.
It will be much quicker than through a USB port.
I am not sure if Office 2007 will run in Win10.
A very simple solution is to subscribe to Office 365.
You get all of the latest parts of Office including Outlook.
It's$99/yr. with free updates.
That's $8.32/mo to never have to worry about it again. It is a no brainer.

df61743 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Acronis will not examine or modify any registry entry. The registry is merely a set of binary files that make up a relational database. When an Acronis backup is restored, those files get copied over unchanged just like all the other files that get restored.

To the OP... If you want to try to restore your old backup to the new computer, I recommend you take an Acronis snapshot of the new computer first. Then you can get back to where you are now.

IMO, trying to restore your old backup is unlikely to be successful. Your new computer probably requires completely different device drivers.

Dick

lautenk2

[quote=BBurns]... I am not sure if Office 2007 will run in Win10 ...

I'm sure, it does.

Also, many people dislike the idea of S/W subscriptions.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Exactly my point. The registry entries are specific to both the applications installed AND the Windows configuration and HW of the machine it was used to backup. If he takes a “snapshot” of the new computer, the registry entries will be correct for the new computer HW and Windows configuration, but it will not have the entries for the installed SW of the old machine. If he “snapshots” the old machine, they will not be correct for the new HW configuration. Acronis will need to be VERY smart indeed to meld the two into a workable installation. Maybe it is, but I’m waiting to see. If the machine will boot correctly after the “restore”, the device drivers are the least of the issues as they can be updated (provided internet access works or he has another machine to download the drivers and move them via thumb drives to the new machine).

Acronis advertises that it can clone the entire drive (such as moving from an HD to an SSD, which I have used) and it talks about DATA migration, but I don’t see anything about APPLICATION migration. Again, I’d leave the new Win 10 installation alone, copy over all relevant data and reinstall the aps, possibly using Microsoft’s migration tool for the Office applications.