It’s easy to bring your files and photos to a new PC using OneDrive, a cloud storage service. With internet access and a few clicks, you can back up and protect your files online in the cloud and then, when you’re ready, sync onto a new PC. Syncing the files between your new PC and the cloud allows you to store files locally for offline use when you don’t have internet access as well as on the OneDrive service in the cloud where you can restore them if something happens. OneDrive can automatically keep the two versions in sync as changes are made.

Note: these instructions are designed for Windows 7 users. The OneDrive client came with Windows 8 so users with Windows 8 and 8.1 devices can use these same instructions but skip the part about installing the app.

If OneDrive is not the best fit for you, you can use an external hard drive or the Windows Backup & Restore feature. Head to aka.ms/MoveToWindows10 to learn how.