Support for Windows 7 is about to expire soon. With a heavy heart, I'll probably have to buy a new laptop, with Windows 10. Now just the question: Do I have to reinstall everything or can I transfer it somehow?
If the old laptop is good enough, then you can actually just upgrade to Windows 10. What if you know how, is still possible for free.
At least under Windows 10, you could also install the hard drive in another device is not a clean solution, but it works. Then the programs remain available.
Otherwise, I see no way synonymous without reinstalling all the programs to swap the device and the Windows version.
It is difficult to transmit. Most programs write a lot of information in the registry. So it would often not be enough just to copy the program folder over.
For many programs, however, it is possible to export the personal data and to take it over.
So for example the Firefox / Chrome profile with all bookmarks, favorites, history etc.
For most programs, however, it will mean that they have to be reinstalled from scratch to be fully functional.
Always reinstall.
But you can help yourself with the configurations.
New laptop: reinstall all programs. Then copy the folders from the old laptop to the new one. Paths have to be the same.
The installation is necessary because the individual programs must be registered (entered in the registry) for the operating system to manage them.
Is not necessarily a new laptop just because Win 7 support expires, the free upgrade to Win 10 is still. And the system requirements of Win 10 are almost identical to Win 7.
https://www.computerbild.de/...48619.html
Since the compatible programs are adopted.
I would strongly recommend that you first clean up the old PC (data, programs and services). And the programs you want to keep documented (source, URLs, passwords, other restrictions, etc…). Data can be copied, programs can't. Always plan the steps first, and then do it. Indepe.
