Move files off a Windows 7 PC with an external storage device (2024)

You can use an external storage device such as a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive to help you move all your favorite files off a Windows 7 PC and onto a Windows 10 PC. Here's how to copy your files onto an external storage device and move them to a new PC.

Move files off a Windows 7 PC with an external storage device (1)

Copy your files on Windows 7 to an external storage device

Note:Copying files from one location to another will not remove the files from their original locations.

  1. Connect your external storage device to your Windows 7 PC.

  2. Select the Start button > Computer.

  3. Locate the files you wish to copy, or the folders where your files are stored.

  4. Select the file you wish to copy, but do not open it. If you'd like to copy multiple files, hold down the CTRL button as you select additional files. You can also select folders, and this will select all the files that are stored within them.

  5. All files you selected should now be highlighted. At the top of the window, select Organize > Copy to copy the files to memory.

  6. Now, go to the external drive location by clicking on the corresponding letter of the drive.

  7. Once the drive is highlighted, select Organize > Paste. This will copy the files you selected earlier onto the drive.

Note that you may need to repeat steps 3-7 multiple times if you have files stored in multiple locations.

Verify your files are correct and remove the storage device

After you have copied or moved your files onto an external storage device, you can verify they're in the right location by browsing the external drive.

Then you'll need to safely remove the drive to ensure no files are lost or corrupted. To remove the device, select Eject before you disconnect the drive from your PC.

Once you have moved your files onto your external storage device, you'll be able to transfer them onto your new Windows 10 PC.

For another option to transfer files, see Move files off a Windows 7 PC with OneDrive.

Copy your files to Windows 10 from an external storage device

  1. Connect your external storage device to your Windows 10 PC.

  2. Select File Explorer from your task bar.

  3. On the left guide bar, select This PC.

  4. Locate the external drive and double-click its corresponding icon.

  5. Locate the folder where your files are located, and then double-click that folder's icon.

  6. To select all the files in this location, select Home in the top left and then Select all. All the files in this folder will now be highlighted. To copy only one file, select it by clicking on it once.

  7. Select Home tab in the top left, and then select Copy to and select the folder you'd like the files copied to: Documents, Music, Pictures, or Videos. You can also choose a custom location by selecting Choose location....

Your files will begin to transfer to your Windows 10 PC. Note that this may take time depending on the number and size of the files you transfer.

After the files are copied, you can navigate to their new location to make sure the files were successfully copied over.

Get more info about moving to Windows 10

If you're considering a move to Windows 10, download theGuide to Windows 10app to get the info you need to make a smooth transition, including personalized recommendations for your PC.

Get the Guide to Windows 10 app

*This app is for Windows 7 only

Move files off a Windows 7 PC with an external storage device (2024)

FAQs

How do I transfer all files from my computer to an external hard drive? ›

To copy multiple files, hold CTRL as you select additional files or folders. Once you have files and folders highlighted, make sure you're in the Home tab, then select Organize > Copy to, and select your external storage device name from the list of options.

Does Windows 7 support external hard drives? ›

You can use an external storage device such as a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive to help you move all your favorite files off a Windows 7 PC and onto a Windows 10 PC.

How can you copy a file from computer hard drive to an external device? ›

Transfer specific files to an external storage device
  1. Connect your external storage drive to your PC.
  2. On the taskbar, select File Explorer.
  3. Find the files you want to copy or the folders where you've stored those files.
  4. To copy multiple files, hold CTRL while selecting more files or folders.

How do I transfer data from Windows 7? ›

Select Update & Security > Backup > Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Select Select another backup to restore files from. Select the backup created from your Windows 7 PC, and then select Next. Select the Select all files from this backup checkbox, and then select Next.

How do I put everything on my computer from an external hard drive? ›

Once you've plugged in your hard drive and found it on your computer, you can simply copy files onto the hard drive by clicking and dragging them into the Finder or File Explorer window. This creates a copy on your hard drive, while leaving the original on your computer or laptop. 3.

How do I transfer everything from my old computer to my new computer? ›

6 methods to transfer files from PC to PC
  1. Cloud storage or web data transfers. ...
  2. External hard drives or USB flash drives. ...
  3. Direct cable transfer. ...
  4. PC transfer software. ...
  5. Network transfer (LAN or WiFi) ...
  6. SATA cable connection.
Jul 31, 2024

How to move files in Windows 7? ›

To move a file or folder to another location on your computer:
  1. Right-click the Start menu button and choose Open Windows Explorer. ...
  2. Double-click a folder or series of folders to locate the file that you want to move. ...
  3. Click and drag the file to another folder in the Navigation pane on the left side of the window.
Mar 26, 2016

How do I connect an external hard drive to Windows 7? ›

Connect your external hard drive to the USB port on your Windows 7 system. If the drive does not show up in the Computer category as a new drive or a removable drive you need to initialize the hard drive to allow Windows 7 to see the drive.

Can you run Windows 7 on a USB drive? ›

The USB drive can now be used to install Windows 7. Boot from the USB device to start the Windows 7 setup process. You might need to make changes to the boot sequence in BIOS if the Windows 7 setup process doesn't start when you try to boot from the USB drive.

How do I copy Windows 7 to a flash drive? ›

And also please backup your data from USB first.
  1. Download Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool and install it. ...
  2. Run the program, browse to your Windows 7 ISO image using the Browse button.
  3. In this step, you need to select your media type. ...
  4. Select your USB flash drive from the drop down box and click on Begin copying button.

How do I download my entire computer to an external hard drive? ›

If external hard drives backup is your preferred option, the process is pretty straightforward.
  1. Connect your external hard drive via your PC's USB port.
  2. Open your Control Panel. ...
  3. Select Save Backup Copies of Your Files with File History, then select System Image Backup.
  4. You'll then be prompted to create a system image.
May 23, 2012

Does Windows 7 have easy transfer? ›

Windows Easy Transfer was introduced in Windows Vista and included in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.

How do I transfer everything from my old Windows 7 computer to my new computer Windows 11? ›

Another efficient way of moving files from a Windows 7 PC to a Windows 11 PC is by utilizing an external storage device. You can quickly transfer all your files and programs from Windows 7 to Windows 11 by using an external storage device like an external hard drive, USB drive, or SD card.

How do I transfer files from Windows old? ›

How to Restore Files from Windows. Old Folder
  1. Open the File Explorer window.
  2. Go to C:\Windows. old\Users\username.
  3. Browse the files.
  4. Copy and paste the files that you want to restore into your current Windows installation.
Jan 25, 2023

How to backup all files on Windows 10 to an external hard drive? ›

Backup Your Computer with File History

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Add a Drive, and then choose an external drive or network location for your backups (Figure 1).

How do I move files from internal storage to external storage? ›

Move files through clean tab
  1. On your Android device, open Files by Google. . Learn how to view your storage space.
  2. Tap Menu Clean .
  3. On the "Move to SD Card" card, tap Select files.
  4. Select which files you would like to move.
  5. Tap Move to SD Card.

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