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One thing to sit up for: Tech firms might want everybody rely completely on cloud storage and on-line providers, however many customers want sharing recordsdata over native networks. In a nod to those cussed “offline” holdouts, Microsoft is reintroducing a function that first appeared within the Home windows ecosystem sixteen years in the past.
There was a time when Home windows 7 customers might simply switch recordsdata and folders between PCs utilizing the “Home windows Simple Switch” device. Microsoft later eliminated this convenient function – together with many others – in newer variations of Home windows. As a substitute, the corporate shifted its focus to favor OneDrive and different cloud storage platforms for dealing with file and information migration.
Nevertheless, the Simple Switch device could also be poised for a comeback in an upcoming Home windows 11 replace. Prolific Home windows Insider construct explorer “phantomofearth” not too long ago shared screenshots of a brand new Home windows Migration stream within the Backup app, which now contains an choice to switch recordsdata to a brand new PC over a neighborhood community.
Home windows Backup can now switch recordsdata, apps, settings, and even credentials to a different PC over a neighborhood WiFi community, serving to customers arrange new machines extra shortly. The method requires coming into a passcode on the receiving PC – a standard sense safety safeguard on any platform.
This is a little bit of the Home windows Migration stream within the newest Dev construct, 26200.5600 (additionally in Beta 26120.3964). That is within the precise Backup app, not the UI reconstruction we noticed earlier this yr. pic.twitter.com/rwImzRJoJE
– phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) May 13, 2025
Phantomofearth notes that the most recent Home windows Dev construct (26200.5600) contains the brand new migration stream. The choice additionally seems in Beta 26120.3964. Longtime Home windows customers – particularly Home windows 7 fans – have welcomed the return of this Home windows Backup function, which intently resembles the unique Simple Switch utility.
The present Home windows Backup app helps migration to OneDrive, which offers simply 5 gigabytes of free storage. Including an choice to switch recordsdata and settings on to a neighborhood PC will please many customers, although it nonetheless lacks an offline various. Some customers need the flexibility to repeat information by way of an exterior USB drive since native networks can typically be unreliable.
After all, there are third-party backup instruments for transferring information between techniques. Whereas Macrium Replicate Free is now restricted to trialware, alternatives like Veeam Agent, Paragon Backup & Restoration, and Hasleo Backup provide all of the options of Home windows Backup – solely a lot better.
