Download Windows File Server Migration Tool and Transfer File Servers [2023 New]

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.

What Is Windows File Server?

Before we start, let's first figure out what Windows File Server is? Windows File Server is 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. 

 

How Do I Migrate File Servers from One Windows Server to Another

When upgrading Windows Server computers, it's essential to transfer everything from one Server to another. Aside from transferring 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.

Windows File Server Migration Tools Recommendation 

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:

1. #1. Install Windows Server Migration Tool/Program
2. #2. Use Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit 

Which method to choose? Here is a quick guide:

• For an instant and easy solution, a third-party Windows Server migration tool - EaseUS Todo PCTrans can help.
• For a free & Windows solution, you can take Method 1 to migrate the file server to a new Windows Server computer.

#1. Install Windows Server Migration Tool or Program to Migrate Windows File Servers

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, EaseUS Todo PCTrans is an ideal and professional Server migration tool that you can't miss.

• Supported OS: Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2012 r2/2008, 20018 r2, etc.
• How to Download:

How to Use:

Guide 1. Transfer Files Between Servers

Step 1. Open EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both of your server computers. Choose "PC to PC" to go to the next step.

Step 2. Choose the transfer direction  - New PC or Old PC.

"New" - Transfer files from old Server to current new Server.

"Old" - Transfer files from current old Server to a new Server.

Step 3. 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 "PC to PC" mainscreen on the target computer. 

Step 4. Click "Files" > "Transfer" to check all the files you want to transfer to another Server computer. Then click "Transfer" to migrate specific data you have chosen.

Step 5. 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 EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both PCs

On the source PC, select "PC to PC" on the main screen of EaseUS Todo PCTrans and move on.

Step 2. Choose transfer direction - Old or New Computer

"New" - Transfer all data from remote old computer to current new computer.

"Old" - Transfer all data from current old device to a new computer.

Step 3. 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 4. 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 "Transfer" to start the transferring process.

#2. Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit Free Download and How to Use

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.

• Supported OS: Windows Server 2012/2012 r2/2008/2008 r2, etc.
• Microsoft Server Migration Toolkit Free Download: 

1. https://microsoft-file-server-migration-toolkit.software.informer.com/download/
2. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/?ocid=cloudplat_hp

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 EaseUS Todo PCTrans for help.

How to Use: 

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.

Bonus Tip: Microsoft File Server Migration Alternative Tool Free Download

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.

• Supported OS: Windows Server 2012 to 2022.
• How to Download: 

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.

How to Use:

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.

• cd %Windir%\System32\ServerMigrationTools\ 
• SmigDeploy.exe /package /architecture X64 /os WS08 /path

Step 3. Register Windows Server Migration Tools on the source computer:

• Copy the deployment folder to a local drive of the source computer. 
• Open Command Prompt, type .\Smigdeploy.exe, and hit Enter.

Step 4. Migrate Server Data from Server to Server

• Open Windows Server Manager on the source Server computer, click Windows Server Migration Tools to open it.
• Open PowerShell and type Export-SmigServerSetting -User All -Group –Path C:SysAdminExportMigUsersGroups –Verbose, then hit Enter. 

• On the target Server computer, open Server Migration Tools by launching Server Manager > Tools > Windows Server > Migration Tools.
• Open Powershell and type Import-SmigServerSetting–UserEnabled–Group-PathC:SysAdminExportMigUsersGroups -Verbose, hit Enter.

Wait for the process to complete, you'll successfully migrate Server files to a new Server.

Server File Migration Is Easy with Reliable Windows File Server Migration Tools

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, EaseUS Todo PCTrans, 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.