Using Transfer: Simplify File Sharing When Switching Computers

Moving files from an old computer to a new one can often be slow and frustrating, especially during stressful times like IT outages or tight deadlines. Traditional methods like USB or Wi-Fi transfers can take hours and slow down your new computer just when you need it most. If your old computer is prone to overheating or other issues, these methods might not even be viable.

With Transfer, you can move and send your large files quickly and for free, avoiding these common setbacks.

Prioritizing data

Imagine being able to control the process so only your most essential files transfer over initially. Those with lower priority we can pick up at a later point once the backlog has been dealt with. All this with free secure file transfer courtesy of Transfer.

How to work this magic

As part of the Windows or Mac setup, you want to first copy across your application and registry setup. This is an important step and should not be skipped as it may impede any secure access/authentication you may have set up.

Data, however, is often a separate issue; this is where Transfer can help you…

1. Get Organized…

Firstly, you need to sort your files into active files that will need transferring immediately, and then lower ranks of priority. By keeping an active file directory/folder, we can effectively schedule backups as well as transfers. Other files you are keeping for archive, or for reference, will have a lower priority.

While you don’t want to be moving lots of files around on what is a (probably) ailing machine, you do want to make this process easier for yourself. Note down file addresses with drive letter and folder(s) to locate the groups of files). Moving data on a poor machine (particularly if the issue is hard drive-related) can increase the risk of corruption.

For this first stage of the process, we will be working on your old machine. This can be done while setup is running on your new machine or even before it arrives. If your machine has a time-related issue (such as overheating), you can do this in a few sessions to allow the machine to cool between uploads.

2. Send the files

1. Opening the web browser on your old computer, go to https://studio.creativefabrica.com/transfer

2. Add the first batch of files. These should be your active files first so you can continue working quickly. Transfer supports up to 2GB transfers for free, but if you need more space, you can upgrade to All Access for 1TB transfers.

3. Add your email address to the sender box and recipient box.

4. Add a subject so you know which transfer is which. For this first transfer, we can just put Active, or Active 1 if sending multiple transfers.

5. You will then be emailed a code, this is a security feature for sending the files. Copy the code into the Transfer window. The transfer will then be processed.

6. An email with the link will arrive from Creative Fabrica Studio.

While you are waiting, transfer as many of your files from your old machine as possible. This way you make the most gains by using this method, as well as preventing data loss should the original computer suddenly suffer a critical error.

For your archive files, you may want to consider cloud storage as a longer-term solution to save drive space, or as part of an off-site archiving solution. Archive files should never be saved to just one location as external hard drives and USB memory sticks have a shelf life. Transfer can give up to 1 year for you to download (when you are an All Access subscriber), but you will need a longer-term solution past this.

3) Receive the files

On your new computer, we can start pulling through your first data, even as you are still sending your lower-priority data on your old machine. Your data is held securely in the cloud, so this is entirely independent of your old computer now.

1. On your new computer, open your email Active and follow the link to download your first set of files.

2. The files will go into your Downloaded Items folder. You will then need to move these files onto your local data drive (usually C:/ or E:/ on a PC, or labeled as [Your name] Mac… on Mac), or onto an external drive. You can use your notes to help you set up the file structure for these files.

3. You can get started working on your files, safe in the knowledge your other data is kept safe and ready for you to download within the next 30 days. You can download this data at your leisure or add more as your workload allows.

Need more time?

You can transfer your data for free within 30 days. However, if you suspect you will need longer, whether due to anticipated workload or data amount, sign up for All Access. You can then set the export date of your transfer up to 1 year. This expiry date is set in the initial upload though, so you will need to sign up before uploading your data to benefit from the extended expiry. It is also up to you to set this up in your uploading process.

Streamlined data transfers

You will get a confirmation of download for each transfer as you do them. However, a separate list that you can tick off is always a good idea as you do not want a transfer to expire before downloading it as you are at risk of data loss. You also want to transfer all data off your old machine as quickly as possible to avoid data corruption or loss of access.

Transfer offers a quick way to get data transferred off of a computer that is ailing and will hold it securely until you are ready. It can also be used to send large files to others for collaborative working, sign-off, authorization, and approval. You can use the expiry feature to set a deadline, and transfers work great for version control where you need to control the editing process between multiple users linearly.