Windows 11 Migration Guide: How Microsoft’s Backup and OneDrive Impact Your Data Transfer

For countless PC users worldwide, transitioning from a Windows 10 device to a shiny new Windows 11 machine isn’t just about enjoying spruced-up visuals or new multitasking layouts—it’s about ensuring all your digital life makes the jump, seamlessly and safely. Microsoft, not missing an opportunity to both simplify and monetize this migration, has doubled down on its OneDrive cloud storage solution—this time tying it tightly to the Windows Backup app. The approach, as recent coverage from TechRadar and further corroborated by user experiences and Microsoft’s own documentation, makes for both a smoother move and a fresh bundle of caveats.

Windows Backup for Migration: The Promise and the Catch​

In a recent promotional push, Microsoft showcases how the Windows Backup app can tackle migration headaches. The process, as the video clip demonstrates, is meant to be straightforward: users back up their files, select settings, and—at least for Microsoft Store apps—application shortcuts (pins) on their old Windows 10 PC. Everything moves to the cloud, ready to be restored on the new Windows 11 system with minimal manual scraping. On paper, this delivers on much of what users want: convenience, speed, and a familiar setup awaiting them after their first boot.
However, as soon as reality collides with marketing spin, nuances appear. Firstly, Windows Backup leverages OneDrive as the storage medium. This means users are funneled toward Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem—part of a broader, years-long trend of the company’s “cloud-first” philosophy. Secondly, Microsoft clarifies that only a limited subset of app data—specifically, Microsoft Store apps—can be migrated this way. Third-party applications require traditional download and setup.
More notably, the free tier of OneDrive grants users just 5GB of storage, far below what most longtime PC users require for their photos, documents, and media files. This limitation is not tucked away—it’s called out transparently in Microsoft’s messaging, but for many, it brings the “free and easy” promise into question. Unsurprisingly, upgrading OneDrive means entering a subscription, which is precisely the nudge Microsoft is hoping for.

The Free Alternatives—and Their Limitations​

Astute users and independent voices in the Windows community have quickly pointed out the obvious: There are, indeed, free ways to transfer your data between PCs without capitulating to a paid OneDrive plan.
The most no-nonsense approach involves copying your important files—especially space-eating photos and videos—to an external storage device. Once physically moved, these files can be pasted into the new Windows 11 machine’s local storage at the user’s discretion. While this workaround lacks the elegant automation of Windows Backup, it neatly sidesteps recurring fees and does not depend on internet speed or Microsoft’s servers.
The catch, of course, is that the process demands more manual involvement. Selectivity is also crucial: users must decide what to leave behind, what to move, and what to back up redundantly. There’s also the perennial risk of drive failure during transfer, so safe migration best practices always recommend at least two copies during the move—one on the source machine and one on the external drive—until transfer is confirmed.
Interest is building in Microsoft’s previewed but currently non-functional “PC-to-PC migration” feature. While this will allegedly enable direct transfers over a local network—cutting OneDrive out of the equation entirely—it is not available as of the latest public updates. For now, the skeleton of this option exists in Windows 11, but not Windows 10, and not as a working tool. Even its finalized capabilities remain unclear; rumors suggest it will only move files, not apps of any kind, and it will likely still require a Microsoft account to initiate.

Microsoft’s Strategy: User Experience Meets Monetization​

At its core, Microsoft’s heavy OneDrive integration is less about technical limitation and more about strategic positioning. For businesses, students, and home users alike, moving to Windows 11 is inevitable as Windows 10 support nears sunset. By making OneDrive the default—and currently, only—supported medium for complete backup and migration, Microsoft both smooths onboarding and generates reliable, recurring service revenue.
This isn’t new for the company. As early as Windows 8.1, OneDrive began taking a prominent role in the user experience, with deeper hooks in Windows 10 and now a nearly unavoidable presence in Windows 11. Today, features from Office 365 to file sync and even default document save locations gently funnel users into the cloud.
Unfortunately, this “cloud-first” approach can feel heavy-handed, especially for users who want control over their migration and storage choices. Many competitors—such as Google Drive or Dropbox—offer similar or better introductory storage limits, but Microsoft’s backup utility doesn’t let users substitute another provider. Alternative migration utilities exist—sometimes bundled with hardware from PC manufacturers or third parties—but these often come with technical hurdles or are, themselves, paid products.

What’s Actually Transferred? Parsing the Details​

A closer examination of the Backup app’s migration process reveals several important technical constraints:

• Personal Files: Photos, documents, videos, and other “user-created” files in profile folders (like Desktop, Documents, Pictures). These are the bulk of most users’ data loads and will likely push beyond OneDrive’s free 5GB cap.
• Windows Settings: Interface customizations, Wi-Fi credentials, system preferences.
• Microsoft Store Apps and Pins: Application shortcuts (pins) appear in the same locations on Windows 11, and clicking them will start auto-reinstallation—if the app is still available in the Store. For legacy, third-party, or custom-installed apps, users are out of luck; these must be located, downloaded, and configured manually.

In effect, this is much less comprehensive than Apple’s Time Machine for macOS, which, while not perfect, does allow nearly full-system restoration (apps included) when moving between machines. Windows’ reliance on the Store for automated app migration is a bottleneck likely to frustrate power users and professionals.

The Subscription Squeeze: How Much Does OneDrive Really Cost?​

The reality for most users is simple: 5GB won’t suffice. As soon as you hit that threshold, Microsoft’s migration wizard prompts you to buy more. OneDrive subscriptions, commonly set at 100GB or bundled via Microsoft 365 (with 1TB per user), are not particularly expensive—monthly rates typically start around $1.99 for 100GB and go up depending on your region, family sharing, and bundled productivity software. However, for users who only need migration once or twice in a PC’s lifetime, ongoing payments might feel excessive.
Meanwhile, some users already leverage other cloud providers, local NAS drives, or external hard disks for their backup routines—and are disappointed to find those solutions unsupported in the official process.

Risks and Downsides: Forced Cloud Adoption, Data Sovereignty, and User Autonomy​

Promoting OneDrive as the default (and often, only) solution for backup and migration raises several larger concerns beyond cost:

Data Sovereignty and Privacy​

For users with sensitive files—especially in business or institutional settings—moving data to a third-party cloud can bring regulatory and compliance headaches. Microsoft encrypts data at rest and in transit, but questions about offshore storage, access for law enforcement, and control over deletion policies remain. Some users, especially in privacy-sensitive regions, are wary of any system that makes full-cloud backup an onboarding requirement.

Forced Platform Lock-In​

By making migration smoothest within its own ecosystem, Microsoft disincentivizes switching (either in terms of OS or cloud platform). While this arguably improves usability for the average consumer, it can create longer-term headaches for those wanting to diversify or control their storage stack. It is notable that the company does not permit alternative provider selection within Windows Backup, even as rivals’ solutions grow in popularity.

User Experience: A Waiting Game for Better Tools​

The half-implemented PC-to-PC migration tool is both a glimpse of hope and a source of user frustration. Many Windows 10 households are eagerly awaiting a final, user-friendly, cloud-free way to move data—before the October 2025 end-of-support deadline. Should Microsoft deliver, that would address many current gripes. However, with the tool presently unavailable and details scarce, users have every reason to be cautious and plan alternative routes.

Critical Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, and the Bigger Picture​

Notable Strengths​

• Simplicity for the Mainstream User: For those already bought into Microsoft’s ecosystem, the backup-to-OneDrive/restore process massively simplifies what was once a frustrating, piecemeal approach.
• Surface Awareness of App Gaps: Microsoft is clear in the UI about which apps won’t be transferred, matching expectations and minimizing unpleasant surprises for those making the switch.
• Cloud Restore Convenience: Users with fast, reliable internet connections enjoy the ability to start migration from anywhere, without wrangling external hardware or network shares.

Major Pain Points and Risks​

• Hidden Costs: The rapid escalation from a “free” migration to mandatory OneDrive subscription is a real sore spot for users with even moderate amounts of data. This feels less like a technical limit, and more like an engineered sales funnel.
• Limited App Migration: Relying only on the Microsoft Store leaves users of specialized, legacy, or business-critical software out in the cold—complicating migration for those who need it most.
• No Provider Choice: The “take it or leave it” approach to backup provider selection runs counter to the open, flexible ideals that have defined Windows for decades, and it’s likely to aggravate savvy or already-invested users.
• Incomplete New Migration Tools: Until PC-to-PC migration works robustly and reliably (and, ideally, becomes available on both Windows 10 and 11), the official story for “painless migration” rings partially hollow.

Alternatives in Practice: What Tech Experts Recommend​

Given these caveats, what should a power user or concerned home user do? There is no “one size fits all”—but these options stand out for those wary of OneDrive limitations:

• Manual Transfers: External drives remain the gold standard for speed, privacy, and control. Coupled with simple scripts or folder syncing software, they can handle most scenarios painlessly, especially when dealing with bulk media.
• Third-Party Migration Utilities: Several reputable tools exist for sector-based disk cloning, profile migration, or selective file backup. Most are paid products (e.g., Laplink PCmover, EaseUS Todo PCTrans), but they may justify their cost for complex moves or larger-volume deployments.
• Local Network Transfers: Technically proficient users can use Windows’ built-in sharing, FTP, or even old-fashioned file sharing over LAN to bypass cloud services entirely. This does not however transfer application registrations or system settings trivially.
• Wait for PC-to-PC Migration: For those not in a hurry and with trust in Microsoft’s future updates, the direct migration feature—if/when it arrives—may finally offer a compromise between simplicity and autonomy. Until then, it’s not a practical solution.

Looking Forward: Will Microsoft Loosen Its Grip?​

The trajectory is clear: Microsoft wants more users relying on its cloud, and migration is one powerful leverage point. However, growing user pushback—reflected across independent tech publications, community forums, and social channels—suggests there’s a hunger for greater control and more equitable options.
Best practice, for now, is to plan migration ahead of any major PC transition:

• Inventory your apps and files and trim unnecessary bloat.
• Back up critical documents and media redundantly, preferably across at least two methods (cloud and physical).
• Verify your account credentials and subscriptions before initiating any in-place upgrade or backup-restore process.
• Stay up-to-date with Windows and Backup app changes—Microsoft has shown both the will and capacity to quietly update these workflows in response to feedback, though often only after user uproar.

As Microsoft tunes its tools and users adapt or push back, the balance between convenience and control in PC migration will remain a live issue. For now, OneDrive occupies center stage by design. But as competitors innovate and users demand more portable, provider-agnostic backup solutions, the story is far from over. The hope among Windows enthusiasts is that Microsoft will ultimately prioritize user autonomy—even as it seeks ever stronger engagement with its own services. Until then, approach every upgrade with eyes open, and don’t be afraid to take the manual route if it better serves your needs.

---

Source: TechRadar 'Moving is easy with Windows 11' Microsoft tells us, promoting Backup app for transferring files from a Windows 10 PC - but you'll need to pay for OneDrive