Moving from Windows to a Mac with Migration Assistant

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To move from a Windows PC to a Mac, install Apple's Windows Migration Assistant on the PC and use Migration Assistant on the Mac. Apple says it copies contacts, calendars, email accounts and more to the right places on your Mac, and doesn't delete anything from your PC. Your Mac shows a code, you type it on the PC, then you choose what to move.

Quick answer

Update Windows and macOS, quit your Windows apps, and turn off antivirus, firewall or VPN software. Keep both computers close with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on. Download the Windows Migration Assistant that matches your Mac's macOS. On the Mac, choose "From a Windows PC". On the PC, enter the code the Mac shows, then pick what to transfer.

Which Windows Migration Assistant do I need?

Apple matches the PC app to the version of macOS on your Mac, not to your version of Windows. From Apple's download table:

  1. Windows Migration Assistant 3.2.0.0: from Windows 10 or later to macOS 27 Golden Gate, macOS Tahoe 26, macOS Sequoia 15 or macOS Sonoma 14. Apple's download page says the Mac must be running macOS Sonoma 14.4 or later.
  2. Windows Migration Assistant 2.4.5.0: from Windows 7 or later to macOS Ventura 13 or macOS Monterey 12.
  3. Windows Migration Assistant 2.3.1.0: from Windows 7 or later to macOS Big Sur 11.

Download the PC app from Apple's support site; the links are in the sources below.

How do I get the PC and the Mac ready?

Apple's checklist:

  1. Update both. Make sure Windows is up to date on the PC and macOS is up to date on the Mac.
  2. Quiet the PC. Quit all apps and turn off any settings that could make the PC perform other tasks. Turn off antivirus, firewall or VPN software on either computer.
  3. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, side by side. Apple says to keep the Mac and PC near each other with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If an older PC doesn't support Bluetooth Low Energy, you may see a message that a Bluetooth adapter is needed; Apple notes adapters that plug into the PC's USB port are widely available.
  4. Older Macs: if the Mac uses macOS 13 or earlier, or you're not sure, connect both computers to the same network, or directly to each other with an Ethernet cable.

How do I transfer, step by step?

Apple's steps refer to Windows Migration Assistant 3; it says most are similar in earlier versions.

  1. Mac: if the Mac is starting up for the first time, the transfer is part of Setup Assistant. Otherwise, open Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder in Applications, or with Spotlight, and enter your administrator password if asked. Steps around setup are in how to set up a new MacBook Pro.
  2. Mac: when asked how you want to transfer your information, select "From a Windows PC", then click Continue.
  3. PC: when the Mac shows a code, open the Windows Migration Assistant you downloaded. Follow the instructions until you're asked for the code, enter it, then click Continue. The PC then looks for and connects to your Mac.
  4. Mac: wait while it calculates how much space your information uses. You may need to scroll to see the whole list.
  5. Mac: select each category you want, or click the disclosure arrow to pick specific items. Click Continue.

Large transfers may need hours, Apple says, and may seem to pause occasionally. When it's finished, quit Migration Assistant. When the Mac restarts, log in to the migrated account with the password you set.

What happens to my Windows user account?

Your PC account becomes an account on the Mac.

  • Administrator account: you're asked to click Set Password and enter a secure password. Remember it, because you'll need it to log in on the Mac.
  • Standard account: a temporary password appears on screen. Write it down. The user enters it the first time they log in, then chooses their own.
  • More than one Windows user: Apple says to log in to each account on the PC and run Windows Migration Assistant again.

What moves, and where does it go?

From Apple's table:

From your PCTo your Mac
Email and email settings from Outlook and Windows MailMail
Contacts from People, Outlook and your Contacts folderContacts
Appointments from Calendar and OutlookCalendar
Tasks from Outlook (macOS 13 or later)Reminders
Music, podcasts, audiobooks, films and TVMusic, Podcasts, Books and TV
Home page and bookmarks from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer and SafariSafari
Documents and files from your home directory, and photosYour home folder

Apple adds that custom desktop pictures, language and location settings come across, and known Wi-Fi networks if the Mac uses macOS 13 or later. Its Mac User Guide says network settings and passwords aren't transferred. Photos land in your home folder, and you can add them to the Photos app yourself or let Photos search your Mac for them.

Apple also says to authorise your Mac for purchases with your Apple Account before you sync or play content downloaded from Apple.

What if Windows Migration Assistant fails?

Apple's first check is that the computers are set up correctly, including using the right version of Windows Migration Assistant. Next, it suggests the check disk (chkdsk) utility on the PC:

  1. Right-click the Start button, then click Run.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter.
  3. Type chkdsk and press Enter.
  4. If it finds problems, type chkdsk drive: /F, where drive is your Windows startup disk letter, such as C. Press Enter, type Y, then restart the PC.

Repeat until the utility reports no issues. If you still can't transfer, Apple suggests an external storage device or file sharing to copy important files across. More fixes for the Mac side are in Migration Assistant stuck or not working.

Where Failshot fits

Your first Mac is a fresh start, and FileVault and Find My come with it, as security settings for a new MacBook explains. Your password is the first layer. Failshot is the second: second layer device security for your Mac, and a new Mac is the moment to add it.

While it's on, Failshot photographs whoever unlocks your Mac, then, with Pro, records a 5-second video, and its window tells them the unlock was photographed. With the Mac's built-in camera, the green light comes on. With Pro, turn on alerts and Failshot emails you about an unlock you don't confirm as yours, a wrong Failshot PIN or answer, or its camera access being switched off while it's on. Switching it off, or quitting it from its menu, takes Touch ID or your Failshot PIN and answer, never your Mac password.

Failshot runs on macOS 14 or later. Free to download. It's free to use. Pro adds video, email alerts and the encrypted vault, and you can try Pro free for 7 days. Your card is taken at sign-up and charged on day 8 unless you cancel. The trial is on failshot.app, for the Mac. iPhone, Android and Windows are coming soon.

More questions

Does Windows Migration Assistant delete anything from my PC?

No. Apple says Migration Assistant doesn't delete information from your PC, and it doesn't replace macOS on your Mac.

Will my Windows passwords transfer to the Mac?

No. Apple's Mac User Guide says network settings and passwords aren't transferred from a PC. Your custom desktop picture, language and location settings are.

Can I transfer from a PC after I've set up the Mac?

Yes. Open Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder in your Applications folder, or with Spotlight, then choose "From a Windows PC". Apple's steps cover a Mac that's already set up as well as one in Setup Assistant.

Where are my Windows files on the Mac?

Apple says files from your main documents, videos, music and pictures folders go into the Documents, Movies, Music and Pictures folders in your home folder. In the Finder, choose Go > Home. Desktop files move to the Mac's desktop.

Sources