Migrate files with Dropbox and the Lenovo Migration Assistant

Updated Dec 12, 2023

You can migrate files from one computer to a new Lenovo computer using Dropbox and the Lenovo Migration Assistant.

Be sure the Dropbox desktop app is installed on both your old and new computers. If the install is successful, you'll see a Dropbox folder in your File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and the Dropbox icon will appear in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).

Before you begin

  • If you have a large number of files, consider migrating the ones you use more often first. Also consider migrating them in batches, overnight, or on a weekend.
  • Be sure there’s enough hard-drive space on the computer you're migrating files to and enough storage space in your Dropbox account. Learn how to check your available Dropbox storage space.
  • Be sure both computers are connected to the Internet, and both are signed into the Dropbox desktop app with the same Dropbox account.

Migrate files from one computer to another

  1. On the computer you're migrating from, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and navigate to the files you want to migrate.
  2. Drag and drop those files into the Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
    • The files will upload to your Dropbox account in the cloud, then sync to your new computer.

The migration is complete when all files and folders are fully synced to the new computer. In the Dropbox folder on both computers, a sync icon will appear beside each file and folder to indicate its sync status. Also, the Dropbox icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) will say Your files are up to date or will otherwise indicate sync status.

During the migration

  • Don't change settings, sign out, or turn off either computer during the migration process—the desktop app can sync only when you're signed in.
  • If you lose Internet access during the migration, Dropbox will simply pause syncing, then resume once you're online again.
  • Dropbox will try to download all of the files in your account. If there are files you don't want taking up space on your new computer, you can use selective sync to store them only in the cloud. However, you may need to wait until Dropbox has finished its initial sync before the selective sync option becomes available.
  • You can check the sync status at any time using the desktop app.
  • The time it takes for the migration to complete depends on the number of files you're migrating and on the speed of your Internet connection. Learn to control bandwidth as needed.

After the migration

If you later want to delete files from your old computer—or wipe the hard drive entirely—be sure to first sign out of Dropbox on that computer and uninstall the Dropbox desktop app on that computer. This ensures synced files aren't deleted from your Dropbox account or from your new computer.

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