Microsoft Ends Local PC Migration in Windows

Windows Backup now requires OneDrive cloud storage and a Microsoft account to transfer files between computers.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Computers

Microsoft Ends Local PC Migration in Windows

Live Poll

Would you be comfortable moving your files to a new PC through Microsoft's cloud?

In October 2026, Microsoft removed the local PC-to-PC migration feature from Windows via update KB5127648, after first announcing the change in September 2026 through optional update KB5124010. Users moving to a new computer must now use Windows Backup, which routes data through Microsoft's servers.

Why it matters

The change shifts how Windows users transfer personal data, replacing a direct network-based process with a cloud-dependent one that requires a Microsoft account. Users without a large OneDrive plan or who prefer keeping data off Microsoft servers now face a different path to moving files to a new PC.

The discontinued migration transferred data and account information over the local network, requiring both computers to be on the same network, while Windows Backup depends on OneDrive's free 5GB allotment. How the new process handles files beyond that capacity has not been detailed.

The players

Microsoft

Microsoft is the software company that develops Windows and controls the OneDrive and Windows Backup services involved in this change.

The details

Windows Backup moves data from the old computer to Microsoft cloud storage through OneDrive and then to the new machine, and it cannot be used on Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. The earlier local-network method is no longer available on Patch Day updates.

September 2026: Microsoft announces removal of local PC migration via optional update KB5124010.
October 2026: Local PC-to-PC migration is removed on Patch Day via update KB5127648.

The Tech Race

The removal of local migration pushes Windows users further into Microsoft's cloud ecosystem, mirroring the broader industry move toward subscription-linked storage. This positions Microsoft's OneDrive against rival cloud platforms competing for the same user data.

Users upgrading to a new PC must sign in with a Microsoft account and rely on OneDrive storage, where the free tier offers only 5GB. Those with larger file sets may need to pay for additional cloud space to complete a migration.

The takeaway

Before moving to a new computer, check your OneDrive storage capacity and confirm you have a Microsoft account set up, since Windows Backup now requires both. Plan for file transfers that may exceed the free 5GB limit.