Server Migration: Everything You Need to Know | 2025 Complete Guide

Applies to: Migrate Server content in Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2012 r2/2008/2008 r2/2003, etc.

This page covers everything you need to know about Server Migration and shows you the complete transfer procedure between Server computers.

What Is Server Migration

Server Migration is the process of applying a tool or advanced Server transferring software to migrate data, transfer software, and even user data from one Server to another Server. 

So when and why do you need to perform Server Migration? Here is a list of all possible reasons:

• Server computer gets old and slow.
• There is not sufficient space for the Server to store data and applications.
• Server is too old, and you need to upgrade Server data to a new one.
• Protect company data from Server crashes or outdated Server machines.
• Speed up Server computer, optimize company website loading performance.

To get rid of this issue, one efficient way is to free up disk space in Windows Server. However, this only temporarily fixes these issues. A forever solution to these problems is to apply Server Migration. This guide provides a full-featured data migration tool: EaseUS Todo PCTrans.

What Are the Windows Server Migration Tools

So, what tools can you apply for Server Migration? Alongside Windows Server Migration Tools built-in Server Manager, there are many tools and methods that Server managers can apply for data, files, and even application migration between two Windows Server computers.

Here is a list of tools that you can apply to transfer data from on Window Server to another: 

• Windows Server Migration Software - EaseUS Todo PCTrans Technician
• Windows Server Migration Tools in Server Manager
• Server Data Migration via Cloud Drive
• Data Transfer via USB or External Storage Devices

So when to use the above 4 Server Migration tools and how to use them? First, check the tutorial guide below, and you'll transfer files and content from Server to Server successfully.

How to Perform Server Migration and Migrate Files/Data, Apps 

To help you fully understand and learn how to use the recommended methods for transferring files, we have decided to offer you a complete guide and list of methods from easy to complex.

Follow and get the most suitable tool for Server Migration now:

#1. Transfer Files, Apps, User Accounts, and settings to the New Server via Server Migration Software

• Device: Two Server computers, network connection in the same LAN
• Tools: Server Migration Software - EaseUS Todo PCTrans Technician
• Transfer Content: Files, folders, applications, Server users' accounts, and settings.

EaseUS Todo PCTrans Technician is reliable and trustworthy in assisting Server users in migrating almost everything to a new Server computer. You can download, install, and apply this tool to see how to own old Server data to a new computer with only a few simple clicks.

#1. Transfer Data to New Server

Step 1. Set Up the Old Server Computer

• Install and launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans on the old server computer. Select "This is Old PC" and click "Next" in the Data Transfer tab.

• Choose "Transfer Directly" and click "Next" to move on. 

Step 2. Set Up the New Server PC

• Download and open EaseUS Todo PCTrans on the new server computer. Select "This is New PC" and click "Next".

• Choose "Transfer directly" and click "Next."
• In the next tab, select "Network" and click "Next" (Make sure the two PCs are connected to the same LAN.)

• Select the target PC and click "Connect" to scan all the data in old server PC.

Step 3. Select the Files to Transfer

• Switch to the "Files" tab, tick the files you need to transfer. Then, click "Transfer" to start.

#2. Migrate Apps and Software to Another Server

Step 1. Set Up the Old PC

• First, install and launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans and select Data Transfer on the left panel of the main interface.

• Select "Transfer Directly" and click "Next" to continue. 

Step 2. Set Up the New PC

• Download and launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans on the new computer; select "This is New PC" and click "Next".

• Select "Transfer directly" and click "Next" to continue. 
• Select "Network" and click Next to continue. This will automatically scan the old PC. (Make sure the two PCs are connected to the same LAN.)

• Select the target PC and click Connect. Then, it will take some time to scan and analyze the data in old PC.

Step 3. Select the Apps to Transfer

• On the new PC, select the applications you want to transfer. Then, click "Transfer" to start.

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#2. Migrate Data Between Servers via External Storage Devices

• Device: A big USB or external hard drive with sufficient free space, two Server computers
• Tools: Windows Copy & Paste
• Transfer Content: Files and folders stored on Server computers, Database content, etc.

How to Transfer:

Step 1. Connect the USB or external hard drive to the source Server.

Step 2. Copy and paste files and folders that you need to migrate to a new Server into the external storage device.

Step 3. Disconnect the external storage drive. Once done, connect it to the new Server.

Step 4. Copy and paste files and folders to the new Server's target location.

#3. Transfer Server Content to a New One Using Cloud Drive

• Device: Two Server computers, cloud drive account
• Tools: OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, pCloud, etc.
• Transfer Content: Files, folders, and desktop content in the Server computer.

How to Transfer Server Files:

Step 1. Launch the cloud drive app on the Server computer or open the cloud website via browser.

Step 2. Log in with your cloud drive account and password.

Step 3. Click "Add" or "Upload" to select files or documents on the computer to upload.

Step 4. Once done, launch the Cloud Drive app on the new Server computer, log in, and select files to download to the new Server.

#4. Export Server Data and Import to a New Server via Windows Server Migration Tools 

• Device: Two Server computers, an external USB drive with sufficient free space
• Tools: Windows Server Migration Tools
• Transfer Content: Files, folders, and desktop content in the Server computer.

Windows Server Migration Tools is a built-in tool that Microsoft added to Windows Server Manager and advanced Server experts would apply this tool for file migration between Servers.

How to Use Windows Server Migration Tools for Server File Transferring:

Step 1. Enable Windows Server Migration Tools in Server Manager:

Type and search Server Manager, click to open it > Click "Manage" > "Add Roles and Features".

Check "Windows Server Migration Tools" and click "Next" > Click "Install" to continue.

Step 2. Create a deployment folder on the target server computer:

Open "PowerShell", type the following command lines, and enter each time.

• cd %Windir%\System32\ServerMigrationTools\ 
• SmigDeploy.exe /package /architecture X64 /os WS08 /path

Step 3. Register Windows Server Migration Tools on the source Server computer:

• Copy the deployment folder to a local drive of the source computer. 
• Open Command Prompt, type .\Smigdeploy.exe, and hit Enter.

Step 4. Migrate Server Data from Server to Server

• Open Windows Server Manager on the source Server, and click to open Windows Server Migration Tools.
• Open PowerShell and type Export-SmigServerSetting -User All -Group –Path C:SysAdminExportMigUsersGroups –Verbose, then hit Enter. 

This will help to export files from the source Server computer.

• On the target Server computer, open Server Migration Tools by launching Server Manager > Tools > Windows Server > Migration Tools.
• Open Powershell and type Import-SmigServerSetting–UserEnabled–Group-PathC:SysAdminExportMigUsersGroups -Verbose, hit Enter.

This command will import the exported Server data to the new Server computer.

All you need is to wait for the process to complete. 

How Long Does Server Migration Take

According to experienced Windows Server experts, server Migration's duration varies depending on many factors. Here is a list of most factors that may affect the speed of Server data migration:

• Data amount
• Network speed
• File type - files and pictures are faster than videos, audio
• USB port type of external storage drives, USB 4.0 and USB 3.0, are much faster than USB 2.0
• Free space on the target drive: the more free space left, the faster server migration speed will be.
• The file transfer speed of Cloud drives may be different.

Suppose all the factors stay the same, so how long would it be for each Server Migration Tool to transfer files, apps, etc., to a new Server computer? 

Here is a comparison table that lists the transition speed of the above four recommended methods, and it helps you to figure out which is the fastest for Server data migration:

If you need an online guide or want to know what EaseUS Server migration software - Todo PCTrans Technician can do for you, click the chat button to reach our support team for help:

Server Migration Is Easy, and You Can Be an Expert with the Right Solution

This page explained what Server Migration is and listed four normal Server Migration tools for any level of Serve users to apply for transferring data from Server to Server.

• For the easiest method, don't miss Windows Copy and Paste via an external storage device.
• For a comprehensive solution to migrate everything to a new Server computer, you can always rely on EaseUS Todo PCTrans Technician.

• For experienced Server users, Windows Server Migration Tools is economical for Server file migration.