The Quickest Way to Transfer Data from One Windows Server to Another

Applicable to Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2008/2003

Question: How can I easily move data from one server to another?

"We have a server that processes a vast amount of data in the terabyte range, and we're currently migrating it to a new server with more CPUs and hard drive slots for future expansion. However, we're unsure how to proceed with the migration. I asked our vendor if they had a portal or software to transfer the data, but they told me they don't. I'm aware that there might be some code available to accomplish this, but I'm not well-versed in it."

"Is there any software or tool that would allow me to connect my old server to the new one as if it were an external hard drive? Or something similar? Thank you in advance."

As mentioned in the scenario, many users are unaware of how to migrate data from one Windows Server to another, let alone do so quickly and easily from an old Windows Server to a new one. After all, it's not as simple as transferring files from one PC to another in Windows 10/8/7.

In this article, we will introduce two solutions to help you transfer data from one Windows Server to another automatically or manually. The first method is by using a Windows data transfer tool to swiftly move data between two Windows Servers with just a few clicks. The other option is to manually operate with the Robocopy command line.

This is an HTML code snippet for embedding a YouTube video. When displayed on a webpage, it will show an iframe with a width of 700 pixels and a height of 400 pixels. The iframe contains a video titled "YouTube video player" that allows fullscreen playback and has various device features enabled such as accelerometer, autoplay, clipboard-write, encrypted media, gyroscope, and picture-in-picture.

How to Transfer Data from One Windows Server to Another Using PC Data Transfer Software

Todo PCTrans is a user-friendly and powerful PC-to-PC migration tool that helps you transfer data, applications, and user accounts between Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and Windows Server 2003 - 2019. It makes data migration on Windows Server just a click away. The tool offers three migration modes to flexibly transfer data from your old Windows Server to the new one.

• PC to PC: Connect two Windows laptops/PCs on the same local network and transfer files, apps, and accounts from your old computer to the new one over the network.
• Image Transfer: Transfer files between PCs without a network; create an image of files, folders, or software on a previous server and restore it to another server. It can also be used for backup purposes.
• App Migration: Copy installed software between local disks on the same computer.

Now, download and install this Windows Server migration tool, and then follow the steps below to start moving your data and apps from your old Windows Server to the new one.

Transferring data from one Windows server to another can be accomplished using several methods. Here's a step-by-step guide using two common approaches: **Method 1: Using File Copy Tools** 1. **Shared Folders**: On the source server, create a shared folder with the necessary data and grant appropriate permissions to the account that will be accessing it from the target server. 2. **Connect via Network**: On the target server, open File Explorer and enter the network path of the shared folder (e.g., `\\SourceServer\SharedFolder`). 3. **Copy Data**: Select the files or folders you want to transfer and copy them. Then paste them into the desired location on the target server. 4. **Verify Data**: After the transfer is complete, verify the integrity of the data. **Method 2: Using Robocopy Utility** 1. **Open Command Prompt**: On the target server, open a command prompt with administrative privileges. 2. **Robocopy Syntax**: Use the following syntax for Robocopy: ``` robocopy SourcePath DestinationPath [file(s) / options] ``` For example, if you want to transfer the entire `C:\Data` folder from the source server to `D:\Data` on the target server, the command would be: ``` robocopy \\SourceServer\C$\Data D:\Data /E /MIR /R:5 /W:2 ``` - `/E` copies subdirectories, including empty ones. - `/MIR` mirrors the source directory to the destination, deleting files on the target if they no longer exist in the source. - `/R:5` specifies the number of retries on failed copies (5 in this case). - `/W:2` sets the wait time between retries (2 seconds). 3. **Run the Command**: Press Enter to start the transfer process. Robocopy will display progress and any errors. 4. **Verify Data**: After the transfer is complete, verify the data on the target server. Remember to replace `SourceServer`, `SourcePath`, `DestinationPath`, and other placeholders with your actual server names and paths. If the servers are not on the same network, you might need to configure firewalls or use a VPN to establish connectivity.

Step 1. Run Todo PCTrans on both the source and target computers and connect the two over the Internet.

1. In the "PC to PC" section, choose the direction of the transfer, and click "Start" to continue.

2. Select the computer you want to cast your screen to, and enter the account password or verification code corresponding to the device name. Click "Connect" to proceed.

You can check the authentication code at the top of the main “PC to PC” screen on the remote computer.

Step 2: Choose the categories of apps, files, and accounts you want to transfer over the Internet.

To transfer data selectively, click Edit under each category and choose specific items.

Select applications, files or accounts

Click “Transfer” to start transferring your apps/files/accounts over the Internet from one computer to another.

Transfer apps, files or accounts over the Internet

Transferring an application from an old Windows Server to a new one involves several steps. Here's a general outline of the process, assuming that the application is installed and functioning correctly on the old server: 1. **Backup**: Make a complete backup of the old server, including system state, applications, databases, and any custom configurations. This can be done using built-in Windows backup tools or third-party software. 2. **Assessment**: Understand the dependencies of the application. Identify all the services, databases, libraries, and other components it relies on. Check for any licenses that might need to be transferred or renewed. 3. **New Server Setup**: Set up the new server with the same operating system version or a compatible one. Install the necessary software, frameworks, and dependencies required by the application. 4. **Database Migration**: If the application uses a database, migrate it to the new server. This could involve backing up and restoring the database, or using tools like SQL Server Management Studio for more complex migrations. 5. **Application Installation**: Install the application on the new server, following the same installation process as on the old server. 6. **Configuration**: Configure the application to use the new server settings (e.g., database connections, file paths, etc.). Update any reference to the old server in the application configuration files. 7. **Testing**: Thoroughly test the application on the new server to ensure it functions correctly. This should include all features, performance, and security aspects. 8. **DNS Update**: Update DNS records to point to the new server's IP address. This may involve updating A records, CNAME records, or any load balancers. 9. **Cut-over**: After testing, perform a final sync of any data changes on the old server and then redirect traffic to the new server. This could involve changing firewall rules, switching load balancers, or updating domain bindings. 10. **Post-Migration Monitoring**: Monitor the new server closely after the cut-over to ensure everything is running smoothly. Be prepared to revert back to the old server if issues arise. Remember, this is a high-level overview, and the specifics may vary depending on your application and infrastructure. It's crucial to document every step and have a rollback plan in case of issues. If possible, consult with your IT department or a professional service for assistance.

Step 1. Launch Todo PCTrans on your computer and click “App Migration”.

Select App Migration

Step 2. Select the app or apps you want to transfer.

All portable apps will be listed with a “Yes” and you can select the destination. Choose the external device or another local disk as the destination.

Step 3: Transfer your apps. Tap “Transfer” to start the process.

If you need to share files between 3 or more Windows servers, you can use the assistance of PCTrans Technician.

Here's how you can use Robocopy to copy files from one server to another, assuming you have the necessary permissions and network connectivity: 1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, right-click the Start button, and select "Command Prompt (Admin)". 2. Use the following syntax for the Robocopy command: ```cmd robocopy Source_Directory Destination_Directory [file_or_folder_names] [options] ``` Replace `Source_Directory` with the path of the folder on the source server that you want to copy, and `Destination_Directory` with the path of the folder on the destination server where you want to copy the files. For example: ```cmd robocopy \\SourceServer\Share\Path C:\DestinationServer\Share\Path *.* /S /E /ZB /R:5 /W:10 ``` In this example: - `\\SourceServer\Share\Path` is the source directory. - `C:\DestinationServer\Share\Path` is the destination directory. - `/S` includes subdirectories, except empty ones. - `/E` copies empty subdirectories as well. - `/ZB` uses restartable mode (Z) and, if that fails, uses backup mode (B). This is useful for copying across networks with potential connectivity issues. - `/R:5` specifies the number of retries on failed copies, in this case 5. - `/W:10` sets the wait time between retries, in seconds, here 10 seconds. 3. If you need to provide credentials for the source or destination server, use the `/USER:` switch followed by the username and domain (if needed), like this: ```cmd robocopy /USER:Domain\Username \\SourceServer\Share\Path C:\DestinationServer\Share\Path *.* /S /E /ZB /R:5 /W:10 ``` 4. Press Enter to execute the command. Robocopy will start copying the files and display its progress. Remember to adjust the command according to your specific needs and environment.

If you don't want to use any third-party tools to copy data from one server to another, you can rely on the built-in Windows command-line utility – Robocopy. It can help you with this task. It lets you copy some files within Windows from one server to another. You can use it to copy a single file without permissions and mirror specified volumes (shared drives) while preserving all NTFS permissions.

To copy data from Windows Server1 to Server2, use the following command:

This command translates to: Robocopy \\server1\data \\server2\data /mir /copyall /dcopy:T In Chinese: Robocopy \\服务器1\data \\服务器2\data /mir /copyall /dcopy:T This is a command using the Robocopy tool to mirror (/mir) the \data directory from \\server1 to \\server2\data, copying all file attributes (/copyall) and preserving file timestamps (/dcopy:T).

This will create an exact replica of the source folder structure, including all permissions and timestamps. Since it's creating a mirror, anything in the target that doesn't match the source will be deleted. Ideal for moving files to a new blank server. If there are important files on the target server that you want to preserve without losing your data, use this command instead:

Robocopy \\server1\data \\server2\data /e

IMPORTANT: If you accidentally delete important files on your Windows Server while running the first command, don't panic. You can use a professional data recovery software to recover lost data from Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2008/2003.

Ultimate Decision

This tutorial will show you how to use the Todo PCTrans and Robocopy utilities to move data from one Windows server to another.

As you can see, using Robocopy to copy files is quite complicated – first, you need to set up the migration environment, and then you have to use the command line, which can be difficult for regular users. Also, if something goes wrong, it could lead to data loss, which is a terrible outcome. By contrast, the Todo PCTrans tool provides a much simpler solution for transferring files and programs from your old Windows Server to the new one with just a few clicks. There's no risk of losing any data. Whether you're a Windows Server expert or a beginner, you can easily migrate data between two PCs or two Servers.

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you promptly.

Tool Todo PCTrans Enterprise Edition

Bulk transfer of computer programs, Windows accounts, domain accounts, virtual-to-physical migrations, and local to cloud desktop transfers.

24/7 Technical Chat Support