Microsoft Ditches Local PC-to-PC Migration Tool in Favor of OneDrive

Microsoft has discontinued its PC-to-PC migration tool in Windows 11, which allowed users to transfer files and settings between two computers over a local network. The feature, which was introduced through a phased rollout before being withdrawn, did not require cloud storage like OneDrive.

The tool had limitations, however: installed applications, saved passwords, and sign-in credentials were not transferred and had to be restored or reinstalled separately. In July 2025, Windows Latest tested the feature, which was designed in a similar way to Windows Easy Transfer, a utility available in earlier versions of Windows that helped users migrate data between PCs.

Microsoft is now directing users toward Windows Backup, which relies on OneDrive for file synchronization and restoration. This change simplifies Microsoft's migration strategy but removes an option that allowed users to transfer substantial amounts of data without relying on cloud storage.