Solutions to Transfer Programs to New Computer - Check Full Guide 2025

"I need to transfer some applications such as Adobe CS6, Microsoft Office, and iTunes from my current XP to my new Windows7 PC. How can I do this easily? I know I can move data with a USB drive to another PC, but what about large programs? If I just use the USB, will they be able to run on the new PC?”

Getting a new computer means that you need to personalize all settings as same as the old one. As many people complained, it is annoying to re-install these large size programs on a new computer. You may wonder, "can I transfer programs from my old computer to my new one?"

In this article, we recommend three ways to transfer programs from one computer to another.

• Transferring programs by the Data Transfer Software (Windows to Windows)
• Transferring programs by the Manual Ways (Windows to Windows)
• Transferring programs by the Windows Migration Assistant (Windows to Mac)

Transfer Programs to New Computer via the Data Transfer Software

As displayed in the above situation, the hardest part of changing to a new computer or upgrading to a new system is having to install our software on a new PC. Microsoft released Windows Easy Transfer, which can help us migrate data like settings, music, photos, video, email, but it doesn't support installed application migration. EaseUS Todo PCTrans Pro is an easy-to-use PC migration software that can transfer an unlimited number of applications, files, and user settings from one computer to another.

1. Transferring Programs from One Computer to Another via "PC to PC"

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 Data to Transfer

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

2. Moving Programs to the Computer via "Backup & Restore"

If you have an external hard drive, it is time to use it for transferring software from one computer to another. This method still needs to download EaseUS Todo PCTrans.
The Backup & Restore function is available in move programs to the external hard drive.

Steps:

• Download EaseUS Todo PCTrans on two computers.
• On old PC: Select Backup & Restore > Data Backup > choose to backup your programs on the external hard drive.
• On New PC: Connect external hard drive on the new PC > Select Data Restore > Choose a backup file > Click Restore

Read also:

How to Transfer Programs to New Computer by Manual Way

First, I will say that this is a much more complicated way to transfer a program from one computer to another. It is certainly a solution, though, if you have enough time. The methods we are talking about in this part require online transfer and physical devices. And the size of the transfer programs depends on your devices. 

1. Moving programs to the computer via Cloud Storage (OneDrive)

Step 1. Upload files to OneDrive.

Open the OneDrive app, click "Upload" to add your file.

Step 2. Download program files on the new PC.

On the new PC, run your OneDrive app and select "Download" to download your files.

2. Moving Files to New Computer by File History

If you've backed up your files to an external hard drive with File History, you are able to restore these files on your new PC.

Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to the new computer.

Step 2. Type "Control Panel" in the search box, open it > Click "File History" > Select "Restore Personal Files".

Step 3. Choose your wanted file and click the green button.

Extra Tip - How to Back Up Files to External Hard Drive

Steps: Open "Control Panel" > Click "File History" > Choose "Select drive" from the left side > Select your storage device

3. Crossover cable

Another physical device is a crossover cable. You can use the crossover cable to transfer software from one computer to another.

Steps:

1. Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing center > Change Adapter Settings.

2. Select the appropriate connection (Ethernet) > Right-click on the connection > select properties.

3. Choose Internet protocol version 4 under the network window > select properties.

4. Set the IP address and subnet masks.

5. Connect the crossover cable to the network ports of the two computers.

6. Right-click the drive you want to share > Properties > Sharing > Advance Sharing > Share this folder > Apply

Move Programs from One Computer to Another (Windows to Mac)

You can also transfer programs from Windows to Mac. Apple provides Mac Migration Assistant to help you transfer information to other pc.

Steps:

1. Download the Windows Migration Assistant from Apple > press Enter to open the Migration Assistant in the pc > Continue

2. Start up Migration Assistant on Mac > Migration window > Select From a Windows PC > Continue

3. Choose the source pc > Input an administer name and password.

4. Clock Continue after the same passcode appears.

5. The Migration Assistant on Mac will scan the drives on your PC. When the scan is finished, you can move programs to a new computer.