Transferring Installed Programs from One Computer to Another Windows 11/10

Q: What is the best way to copy a program from one computer to another?

A: Relying on a trustworthy PC transfer software is the optimal solution for moving installed programs from one computer to another on Windows 11/10/7.

How Do I Transfer Installed Programs to Another Computer

When replacing a new device, you might need to transfer your programs, settings, documents, and other files from one computer to another. But how do you go about getting your computer set up and copying installed software and programs from one computer to another?

If you encounter such an issue, this article provides two solutions for transferring installed programs from one computer to another. Here is a brief overview of the two methods:

Let's begin with the easier and recommended method of learning how to transfer programs from one PC to another using the tool Todo PCTrans.

Method 1: How to Transfer Programs from One Computer to Another Using Software

Why do we strongly recommend using professional PC transfer software for assistance? It is the simplest and safest method to transfer programs from one computer to another without encountering any startup problems.

请注意，当我们安装软件时，所有组件会分散在各个子目录中，如Program Files目录、注册表和其他程序的文件关联。你不能直接从程序文件夹复制/粘贴已安装的程序。

使用PC转移软件将已安装的软件复制到另一台电脑

Applies to: Migrate installed Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Quickbooks, Firefox, Chrome, Outlook, Netflix, and other programs to a new PC.

Reliable PC data transfer software - Todo PCTrans Pro is the optimal choice for transferring installed programs from one computer to another on Windows 11/10 and Windows 7.

PC Data Transfer software is designed to facilitate the transfer of all content to a new PC and ensure they are ready for use. This user-friendly tool securely迁移您的现有文件、文件夹、程序和账户到新的计算机。它具备许多实用功能：

Complete Guide: How to Transfer Programs from One Computer to Another Windows 11/10

Download the tool Todo PCTrans to migrate the desired program to another PC now.

#1. Backup and Find Product Keys of Licensed Software & Programs

If the software requires verification or needs you to log in, using your account and password to activate it should be your final step.

If you wish to transfer the licensed software, you can utilize the Product Key feature to locate your key number. This method helps you find your license numbers for Windows, Adobe, and Office.

Once you have the product key, you can copy and save the serial keys to a local document on an external storage device as a backup.

#2. Transfer Software from One Computer to Another

Step 1. Launch Todo PCTrans on both your source and target computers, and connect them via the internet.

1. At the "PC to PC" section, choose the transfer direction and click "Start" to proceed.

2. Select the target computer by its device name, then enter its account password or verification code. Click "Connect" to proceed.

You can check the verification code at the upper-right corner of the main screen on the target computer under PC to PC.

Step 2. Select the categories Applications, Files, and Accounts to transfer over the internet.

If you wish to transfer data selectively, click "Edit" under each category and select the specific items.

Step 3. Click "Transfer" to start transferring your apps, files, and accounts from one computer to another computer via the Internet.

Next, restart your new computer, and you can begin running the migrated programs on the new PC. The transferred software should run on the new machine without any issues.

#3. Activate Transferred Programs and Software on the New Computer

Once the process is complete, you can run the transferred programs on your new PC and then reactivate them on the new computer.

Translate the following text into English: - Launch transferred programs like Office. - Go to Settings, and locate the activation button. - Click on it and enter the backed-up product key that Todo PCTrans retrieved for you from the source computer. - Reactivate your software.

After that, they'll resume working. By sharing the buttons below, you can help more users learn how to use this tool to transfer programs to another computer.

Method 2: Manually Transfer Installed Programs from One Computer to Another Using USB

请注意，大多数程序（非便携式应用程序）仅通过复制程序文件无法在另一台PC上正常运行。在这种情况下，您只能按照方法1中推荐的那样，使用专用的PC数据传输工具Todo PCTrans来复制已安装的程序。

But for some simple and portable applications, you can still try to copy and transfer to another computer by using a physically removable USB flash drive.

Supported programs:

• Portable applications.
• Programs with .exe file extension.
• Light software that doesn't require installation.

Preparation:

To transfer programs to a new PC using an external drive, you will need the following准备工作:

• An external hard drive or USB drive
• Locate the setup files and the .EXE files
• Backup the activation key (it's crucial to backup the activation key beforehand)

Next, you can manually copy the program to the external hard drive. Afterwards, connect the device to the new PC and run the program.

Steps to Copy Programs from One Installation to Another: 1. Identify the programs you want to copy: Make a list of the software applications that you wish to transfer from one installation to another. 2. Check compatibility: Ensure that the programs you're copying are compatible with the target system's hardware and operating system. 3. Backup source installation: Create a backup of your current installation in case anything goes wrong during the process. This can be done using imaging software or by simply copying the program files to an external storage device. 4. Locate program files: Find the installation folders for each program usually located in the "Program Files" (or "Program Files (x86)" for 32-bit programs on 64-bit systems) folder on the source computer. 5. Copy program files: Using a file manager like Windows Explorer, copy the entire program folders from the source installation to an external storage device, such as a USB drive or network location. 6. Connect to target computer: Connect the external storage device to the target computer where you want to install the programs. 7. Paste program files: Navigate to the appropriate destination folder (e.g., "Program Files") on the target computer and paste the copied program folders. 8. Modify registry entries (optional): Some programs rely on registry entries for proper functioning. Use a registry editor like RegEdit to export and import relevant keys from the source computer to the target computer. Be cautious as modifying the registry can cause issues if done incorrectly. 9. Install dependencies (if necessary): If the programs require specific libraries or components, ensure they are installed on the target computer before attempting to run the copied programs. 10. Test the programs: Launch each program to verify that it runs correctly on the new installation. If there are any issues, troubleshoot accordingly. 11. Create shortcuts (optional): Create desktop shortcuts and add the programs to the start menu for easy access. 12. Update or activate (if applicable): If the programs require activation or updates, follow the necessary steps to do so on the new installation. Remember that this method might not work for all programs, especially those with strict licensing terms or that use digital rights management (DRM). It is always recommended to use official installation methods provided by the software developers.

Step 1. Connect the USB drive or external hard drive to the source PC, locate and copy all selected programs, then paste them to the drive.

Step 2. Safely eject the USB drive or external hard drive from the source PC.

Step 3. Connect the device to the new PC, and then copy the programs to the new hard drive.

Step 4. Modify your program settings and reactivate the software.

There are two possibilities:

• It runs fine; then you're ready.
• If it doesn't run, locate the original installer (either downloaded or from CD/DVD) and install that. Some users might have forgotten to save the original installer, so they will need to search for it again.

Conclusion: An Easier Method to Transfer Programs Between Computers

On this page, we have compiled two methods to help all Windows users transfer programs from one computer to another, either using software or a manual approach.

An easier way is to use a PC data transfer program like Todo PCTrans. This tool helps you transfer your data, applications, and account settings to another PC with just a few simple clicks.

It allows you to transfer all types of programs, whether installers, applications, or portable tools, to another computer without the need for reinstallation or encountering boot issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring Programs Between Computers

Aside from aiding you in transferring installed software to a new computer, we have also linked three frequently asked questions that you might find interesting. Follow and discover the answers right here.

< strong >1. Can I transfer programs from one computer to another for free? Yes, you can often transfer programs from one computer to another, but whether it's free or not depends on the software license terms. Some programs come with a license that allows you to install them on multiple devices, while others require a separate license for each computer. Additionally, some software might have restrictions on how you can transfer or activate the license. Always refer to the software's End User License Agreement (EULA) or contact the software provider for specific instructions and information about any potential costs.

Yes, if you follow the methods outlined above, you can manually copy portable software for free to a new computer. Alternatively, if you prefer a software solution, you can use the Todo PCTrans Free tool, which allows you to transfer up to 5 programs for free between computers.

To transfer unlimited files and software to a new computer, activate the Pro version before starting the transfer task.

**2. How do I transfer everything from my old computer to my new one?**

The tools like Todo PCTrans can transfer everything to a new laptop or desktop, either with or without a network. As previously stated, you can use this PC data transfer utility to copy the following main data:

• ? Files: such as documents, images, music, photos, and emails.
• ? User Account and Settings: including user profiles, accounts, passwords, favorites, and other personalized configurations.
• ? Programs and Applications: encompassing the transfer of Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Quickbooks, Firefox, Google Chrome, Thunderbird, Avast, AVG, and other programs to the new computer.

< strong > 3. Can I use Cloud or Email to transfer programs to another computer? Yes, you can use Cloud services or email to transfer programs to another computer, but it depends on the size of the program and the specific method supported by the service. For smaller programs, you can upload the files to a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, and then download them on the other computer. For larger programs, splitting the files into smaller parts might be necessary. Email can work for smaller files as well, but most email services have file size limits, so you might need to compress the files or use a file sharing service if they exceed the limit. Always ensure that you have the necessary permissions and licenses to reinstall the program on the new computer.

✔ Yes, just like the manual copying method, you can simply use Cloud or Email to send some portable .exe programs to another computer.

✖ No, most programs require the operating system to load information from the registry, making it impossible to simply copy the installation package. Some program settings cannot be copied or synchronized to a new computer via Cloud or Email.

For a complete solution to migrate installed programs seamlessly to a new computer, your best bet is to use a tool like Todo PCTrans.