Moving everything to a new computer
Files move easily. Passwords, licenses, and printers are what get left behind. Keep the old computer until you've checked.
What's usually going on
Macs have Migration Assistant, which moves almost everything from one Mac to another. Windows has no single tool that moves programs, so files, settings, and software come across in separate steps. Either way, some programs need to be signed out of the old computer before they'll work on the new one.
Worth trying first
Back up the old computer first.
A full backup to an external drive means nothing is lost if the move goes wrong.
Mac: use Migration Assistant.
Turn on the new Mac and choose to transfer from another Mac when asked, or open Migration Assistant later. Keep both Macs plugged in and close together.
Windows: move files and settings.
Windows Backup on the old PC saves settings and apps to your Microsoft account. Copy your files with OneDrive or an external drive, then reinstall programs on the new PC.
Sort out licensed programs.
Microsoft Office, Adobe, and some accounting programs limit how many computers they run on. Sign out or deactivate them on the old computer.
Check before you wipe the old one.
Open your important files, passwords, email, and printer on the new computer. Only then erase the old one.
When to hand it over
If you'd rather it simply arrived set up, with every file, password, program, and printer in place. We do this remotely across the US, and in New York City we can do it at your desk.
Your own technologist, on call.
Tell us a little about your setup. We'll take it from there.