Work on:Windows Server 2022/2019/2016, 2012/2012 r2 and 2008, etc.
This page explains what Windows File Server is, how to download the Windows File Server migration tool, and how to apply it to transfer the file server between Servers successfully. For a complete guide to successfully migrate Windows File Server to a new Server without losing any data, your full guide is here. Let's get started here.
Before we start, let's first figure out what Windows File Server is?Windows File Serveris a central server that allows end-users on different computers to access and share files on the same network. File Servers are normal in schools and offices. They often store many data like files, photos, videos, etc. They enable all client computers to share items via the same network without using a flash drive, hard drive, or other external storage devices.
When upgrading Windows Server computers, it's essential to transfer everything from one Server to another. Aside fromtransferring data from one Windows Server to another, it's also crucial to migrating installed programs to another Server computer.
File Server is one of the Must-Have tools you need to install on another computer. Instead of spending time re-downloading and re-installing Windows File Servers, we'll show you a complete guide to migrating Windows File Server to another Server computer successfully.
What method comes to your mind first to help you transfer Windows File Servers between Server computers? Here we have two ways that you have a try:
Which method to choose? Here is a quick guide:
According to most Windows Server users and administrators, Microsoft offers some free tools that help to migrate data and files between Servers. However, most of them are complex to set up for Server file migration.
For an instant and efficient Server file migration solution, Qiling Disk Master is an ideal and professional Server migration tool that you can't miss.
Guide 1. Transfer Files Between Servers
Step 1.Open Qiling Disk Master on both of your server computers. Choose "File sync" to go to the next step.
Step 2. Connect the current PC to the target PC by entering the target computer's account password or its verification code. You can turn on the "Connection Verification"on the right top of the "File sync" mainscreen on the target computer.
Step 3. Check all the files you want to transferto another Server computer. Then click "Proceed" to migrate specific data you have chosen.
Step 4. Wait for the process finishes. PCTrans will transfer files at a fast speed. It won't take too long.
Guide 2. Transfer File Server and Other Programs to New Server
Step 1. Run Qiling Disk Master on both PCs
On the source PC, select "File sync" on the main screen of Qiling Disk Master and move on.
Step 2. Connect two computers
1. Select your target PC to connect via its IP address or device name and click "Connect".
2. Enter the login password of your target PC and click "OK" to confirm.
If you didn't see the target PC in the listed devices, you can also click "Add PC" to manually connect the target PC by inputting its IP address or device name.
Step 3. Select apps, programs, and software and transfer to the target computer
1. You can select and choose what you want to transfer from the current computer to the target PC.
2. After selecting desired applications and programs, click "Proceed" to start the transferring process.
So what is Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit? It is a tool that helps to migrate file servers from one computer to another. The latest version of Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit is now with a 1.2 version, and it's totally free for Windows Serer users to download and install for file server migration among all Windows Servers.
Note that Microsoft Server Migration Toolkit no longer supports Windows Server 2012 or even newer versions. Therefore, if your Server computers install new Server systems, please return to Method 1 and apply Qiling Disk Master for help.
Step 1.Install and launch the Migrate File Server Migration tool on the target Server computer and click "New".
Step 2.Click "Next", then assign a name to the project, and browse to select a location for saving a log.
Step 3.Set a location in the target Server to store share files/folders.
Step 4.Click "Finish".
Step 5.At the Setup section, click "Source file servers" and type in the server name on the "Add Server" window.
Step 6.Once done, expand the Server and select folder, files to migrate to the new Server.
Step 7.Configure the destination folder names, and then complete the process.
Alongside Microsoft File Server Migration, Microsoft also released Windows Server Manager with Widows Server Migration Tools that help to migrate server files between multiple computers with success.
Windows Server Migration Tools is embedded in Windows Server Manager. As long as you've installed this tool, you can enable the migration tools with the guide below.
Step 1.Install Windows Server Migration Tools:
Search Server Manager and click to open it > Click "Manage" > "Add Roles and Features".
Check "Windows Server Migration Tools" and click "Next" > Click "Install" to confirm.
Step 2.Create a deployment folder on the target computer:
Search and click to open "PowerShell" , type the following command lines, and enter each time.
Step 3.Register Windows Server Migration Tools on the source computer:
Step 4. Migrate Server Data from Server to Server
Wait for the process to complete, you'll successfully migrate Server files to a new Server.
On this page, we discussed with is Windows file server, and presented you with three reliable Windows server migration tools. As long as you select the correct migration tool, file server migration between two Server computers can be easy and simple.
Among the three tools, Qiling Disk Master, with its PC to PC feature, can efficiently assist you in transferring files, applications, and even user accounts and settings to a new Server machine.