Moving to a new Windows 11 PC: get your files across remotely, and help family do it

• It does: show you each PC's screen and let you use it, so you can find files on the old PC and check them on the new one. With a free account, it copies files and folders between the two PCs directly.
• It doesn't: move installed apps, settings or accounts. Apps get installed again on the new PC, and most settings come back when you sign in to the same accounts there.

On the free plan you can still do the whole move by driving both screens, sending small files as chat attachments, and copying the rest through an external drive or a cloud storage account.

• Personal folders: Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Music, Videos and Downloads.
• Anything saved somewhere unusual, such as a folder on the C: drive or a second drive. Ask, or look at recent files in File Explorer.
• Browser bookmarks and saved passwords. Signing in to the browser's own sync on both PCs usually brings them across.
• Email. Webmail and most mail accounts only need signing in again; mail kept in files on the PC needs those files copied.
• Paid apps: their license keys or the account they're registered to, before the old PC goes.
• Printers and scanners: note the model, to install its software on the new PC.

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   Step 1: Install RemoteAccessApp on both PCs

   Run the free installer from the download page on the old PC and the new one, and choose Set up this PC on each with the same account. For a relative, read them the 6-digit code from Add a PC on your dashboard instead, and they type it on each PC.

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   Step 2: Open both PCs side by side

   In the RemoteAccessApp Console, open the old PC and the new PC in tabs or side by side (the free plan opens 3 at once). Someone at each PC clicks Allow, unless they're your own PCs with unattended access on.

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   Step 3: Copy the files across

   Open Copy files and choose Copy between servers…, then pick the old PC on one side and the new PC on the other, and copy whole folders across. Or use the File transfer page to browse a PC and download from it.

   On the free plan, copy to an external drive or cloud storage on the old PC's screen, then from it on the new one.

4. 4

   Step 4: Reinstall apps and sign in again

   On the new PC's screen, install the apps you need from their makers or the Microsoft Store, and sign in to the browser, email and other accounts. Most settings follow the accounts.

5. 5

   Step 5: Check, then retire the old PC

   Open a few files on the new PC to make sure everything arrived. Keep the old PC for a week or two in case something was missed, then remove it from your account with Remove this PC from your account in its tray menu.

Most of the work is the same, but you're doing it from your own home while they watch. A few things make it go smoothly:

• Set up the new PC while you're on the phone with them: the Windows 11 setup screens are easier with a voice in your ear.
• Ask them to stay nearby to click Allow on each PC, and tell them what you're about to do before you do it. The banner shows on their screen the whole time.
• Use the chat to send them small files or a screenshot of where something now lives.
• Leave the old PC on and connected until you've checked the new one, so you can go back for anything forgotten.
• Show them the new Start menu and where their files are, on their own screen, before you hang up.

The first-time setup on their PC is covered in how to help a family member with their computer, and there are more ideas in ways to help your family with their computer without driving over.

• Make sure you've copied everything you need, and that you have the license keys for paid apps.
• Remove it from your RemoteAccessApp account (tray menu, Remove this PC from your account), so it no longer appears in your list.
• Wipe it before you sell, donate or recycle it: Windows' own Reset this PC with the option to remove everything.