Windows 7 backup to 8.1

[LASJayhawk]

Will it work? My Win7 notebook is falling apart. I bought a cheep win8.1 notebook, can I use my Win7 backups to restore my files to the new Win8.1 machine?

[Bushfiva]

Your data, yes. Your applications, no. This assumes your backup regime lets you restore just your data. However Windows Easy Transfer will also do the job if you have an Easy Transfer cable, an external drive, or a network connection to the new machine.

[LASJayhawk]

Thanks. Did the easy transfer....the windows backup wouldn't just transfer data

[Bushfiva]

Glad it worked out. Since you seem to be someone who actually backs stuff up, note that Windows 8's File History feature works rather well; much better than Previous Versions in Win7. You may want to turn it on and play with it.