If you have just bought your MAC and you are willing toswitch from Windows PC to Mac, congratulations! You’re eager to use your Mac,but you’ve assembled years of data on that PC. Switching platforms does notmean to start over: You can still use those old files. Apple makes it easierwith a free utility called Migration Assistant. So, in this article, I will beexplaining how can you move your data from a Windows PC to your Mac. Beforemoving to the solution, let’s first know about Migration Assistant.
What is the MigrationAssistant?
Migration Assistant is a utility provided by Apple, which is included in theutility folder of every Mac. You can see it when you first start up your Macwhen Mac asks if you want to transfer data over from another Mac, a TimeMachine backup, or a PC. Migration Assistant can transfer your contacts,calendars, email accounts, and more from a PC. Additionally, it migrates thisdata to the appropriate places on your Mac.
I am trying to migrate data using Migration Assistant (MA) from a Windows 10 PC to a brand new iMac running High Sierra (via an ethernet cable) without any joy. After disabling Windows firewallI and quitting all apps I started Windows MA and then boot the iMac. Apple has introduced a selection of interesting improvements for iOS and Mac admins in the recently introduced iOS 14, including new APIs for mobile device management (MDM) and usability improvements.The easy (but good) stuff One of the better enhancements is the introduction of choice. IPhone and iPad users can now choose which web browser.
Apple makes the app freely available to download for transferring to yourMac. You’ll require specific software, depending on what macOS or OS Xoperating system you’re transferring to. You need to download the MigrationAssistant software to your PC before you begin.
Before you Start
For a smooth migration, you arerequired to keep certain things in mind like:
- Make sure that Windows is up to date.Migration Assistant works with Windows 7 and later.
- Just keep in mind that you know thename and password of an administrator account on your PC.
- You are required to connect your Macand PC to the same network, such as your home Wi-Fi network. Or you can connectan Ethernet cable between the ports on your Mac and PC in order to create adirect network connection. Some Mac models require an Ethernet adapter, such asthe Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter or Apple Thunderbolt to GigabitEthernet Adapter.
- If you are using Microsoft OneDriveon your PC, just follow Microsoft’s instructions for uninstallingOneDrivebefore continuing. You can reinstall OneDrive after the migration iscomplete.
How to Move data from a Windows PC to your Mac?
Just follow thebelow instructions to move data from a Windows PC to Mac.
- Download and install the appropriate Windows Migration Assistant on your PC, based on the version of macOS on your Mac:
- Windows Migration Assistant for macOS Mojave or later.
- WMA for macOS Sierra and High Sierra.
- Windows Migration Assistant for OS X El Capitan or earlier
- Then, Quit any open Windows apps.
- After that, Open Windows Migration Assistant, then click Continue.
- Next, start up your Mac. The Setup Assistant will automatically open the first time you turn on your Mac. If you’ve already set up your Mac, open Migration Assistant, from the utility folder of your Applications folder.
- On your Mac, follow the screen prompts until you get to the migration pane of the assistant. Then, select the option to transfer your information.
- Click on From a Windows PC, then click Continue.
- When prompted, type an administrator’s name and password.
- Now, click Continue to close any other open apps.
- Under the migration window, select your PC from the list of available computers. Then wait for the PC to show the same passcode that your Mac shows.
- When you see both the computers are displaying the same passcode, click Continue on your PC and Mac.
- Now, your Mac scans the drives on your PC to build a list of information to migrate. Once the scan completes, select the information that you want to migrate to your Mac and click Continue.
You can see the progress andestimated time remaining on both the PC and your Mac. It will tell you whenmigration is complete.
After transferring your data
When the migration process getscomplete, just close Windows Migration Assistant on your PC. After that, log into the new user account on your Mac. The first time you log in to a useraccount migrated from your PC, you are asked to set a password. You can use thesimilar password that you used on your PC, or else create a new password.
Other ways to move data (files) from a Windows PC to a Mac.
There are several other ways totransfer data (files) from a PC to a Mac, including:
- By using the “PC Data TransferService” at Apple Retail Stores and Apple Specialists
- By using a portable hard drive orstorage device
- A CD or DVD burner
- Other portable media
- Making use of a shared file server
- By using email
- A direct Ethernet connection
- By installing the PC’s hard drive inthe Mac, if compatible
Bottom Lines
The article is describing the best techniques to move your data from a Windows PC to your Mac. The Migration Assistant is a utility provided by Apple that can easily transfer the data from a Windows to a Mac. Other than this, there are various other methods which are mentioned in this article. I hope they solve your purpose.
Recommended to read: How To Recover Deleted Folder From Windows 10
Summary :
Have you ever thought about transferring files from PC to Mac but don’t know how to do this work? This post will introduce you a free tool - Windows Migration Assistant which is offered by Apple. With it, you can easily transfer files including pictures, music, email accounts, and more from PC to Mac. Get more details from MiniTool.
If you buy a new Mac and you still want to use old files on your Windows, you can transfer files from PC to Mac via Windows Migration Assistant which is a free utility offered by Apple. With it, you can easily migrate your pictures, documents, email accounts, contacts, calendars, and more from a PC and your files will be moved to the appropriate places on your new Mac.
Tip: If you delete files on Mac by mistake, you can get back the file you need. Read this post to get methods: How Can You Recover Deleted Files On Mac.
Overview of Windows Migration Assistant
Windows Migration Assistant is free utility offered by Apple and it includes the Utilities folder on every Mac. When you boot up your Mac for the first time, it will ask if you want to transfer data over from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or a PC.
![Apple Apple](/uploads/1/2/9/4/129450295/620735689.jpg)
Before you begin, you need to download Windows Migration Assistant to your PC according to what Mac operating system you're transferring to:
- Windows Migration Assistant for macOS Mojave
- Windows Migration Assistant for macOS Sierra and High Sierra
- Windows Migration Assistant for OS X El Capitan or earlier
The version of your Windows and programs that are used to create your data will decide what actual data gets transferred. For example, Bookmarks from Firefox and Internet Explorer are taken to Safari. The content and image files of iTunes should be able to make it over as well. System settings get pulled over. You can also specify what other files you want to bring over.
Transferring calendar, contacts, and email information can be a little tricky. Most importantly, if you want to pull over your email account information, you can use Windows Migration Assistant. For example, Windows Migration Assistant will pull over your email messages, contacts, and calendars from your Microsoft Outlook.
Make Preparation Before You Start
Before you start to transfer files from PC to Mac via Windows Migration Assistant, you need to make some preparations.
- Get the administrative username and password associated with the PC.
- Both the new Mac and your PC need to connect to the same network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Check the drive performance before running Windows Migration Assistant:
Step 1: Press Win + R to open Run.
Step 2: Type cmd in the Run window and click OK.
Step 3: Type chkdsk in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
If a drive performance check finds issues, you should run a drive repair process:
Step 1: Type chkdsk drive: /f in the Command Prompt window and press Enter. Replace drive with the name of your Windows startup disk.
Step 2: Press Y and press Enter.
Step 3: Restart your PC.
You must repeat the steps above until the drive performance check shows no issues. Then you can use Windows Migration Assistant.
Transfer Files from PC to Mac via Windows Migration Assistant
In order to transfer files from PC to Mac via Windows Migration Assistant, you need to connect the Mac to the PC through Ethernet or Wi-Fi network firstly.
On the New Mac:
Step 1: Run a Finder window.
Step 2: Click on the Applications option.
Step 3: Double-click Utilities folder.
Step 4: Click on Migration Assistant and click Continue.
Apple Migration Assistant Download Pc To Mac Version
Step 5: Select From a PC and click Continue.
On the PC:
Step 1: Run Migration Assistant on your PC.
Tip: Running Windows Migration Assistant on the PC is one-way: It is only used to migrate data from PC to Mac. After launching, Windows Migration Assistant will attempt to connect to its Mac counterpart. A security code will appear on the screen.
Step 2: Confirm the code on your PC is the same as it is on your Mac.
Step 3: Choose the settings, folders, and files that you want to transfer from PC to Mac.
Step 4: Click Continue to start.
Of course, there are other ways to transfer files between PCs and Macs, but Windows Migration Assistant offers you a convenient and free way to migrate data from PC to Mac.
Tip: If you are interested in how to transfer files from Android to PC, read this post.
Migration Assistant App Mac
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this post has shown you how to transfer files from PC to Mac via Windows Migration Assistant. It is a free and useful way. If you also want to do this work, try the method above.