I want to transfer files from my Windows XP desktop PC to my Windows 8.1 desktop PC.
I backed up all the files from my XP to a 'Western Digital My Book USB 2.0' external drive, using Norton 360 to perform the backup. 21,000 files, about 40 GB, it took about 2 hours. I had Norton running my backups for years and assumed that if I ever looked in the external drive I would see the same stuff as on my PCs's hard drive. I can find the files in the external drive, but can't identify the file types, and they all have lengthy names of mixed letters and numbers, I don't know what they are or how to open them. I've tried installing them in, and restoring them to, the 8.1 PC, don't know if they've transferred, and don't know where or how to look for them. I don't want to use OneDrive, SkyDrive, or any other cloud type storage, I just want my files to be on my PC and external drive only. I want to access and work with the photos, essays, and lists I had in my old PC.
The only other procedure I can find is LapLink, which might work. I can connect both PCs to the Internet, but I only have one monitor, can I use LapLink that way? And then I may still have trouble finding the files on the new PC?
Does a Windows 8.1 PC have a folder like "My Documents" or does it all go to the cloud... and then why would i need 1TB of hard drive, I mean my old PC was only 200 GBs and did all I wanted it to and then some. 8.1: It's very upsetting.
I've installed a download of Noton 360 in my new PC, and it seems to work with the 8.1, is that right?