Copy Desktop Possible?

On my W7 desktop PC I use the desktop itself as a "workspace" = for storage of (and access to) a large no of internet shortcuts. These fill out most of the screen. I want now to recreate this desktop-workspace on a replacement W 10 PC. Not just the visual which I have done with a screen dump but the underlying bookmarks to the web sites also. Using my external hard drive or email if necessary.

All attempts to find the sequence of key strokes to do this have defeated me. Can anyone help, is this possible in simple stages?

Mostly I use Chrome but occasionally Edge.

Tks

Hi, using your Desktop in Win7 takes a lot of ram up.

 

If you did not know Windows 10 End of Life October 14th 2025.  Microsoft has stated No Security Updates will be delivered.  Pay 30bucks for 1 yr Only for Security Updates.  There will be no Updates released for issues in the OS.

 

So with that is it worth going to try doing so. ?

I'm not sure if this is what you want but open File Explorer on Windows 7 and browse to C>Users>your login name>Desktop

 

All of your shortcuts should be in this Desktop Folder. Copy the shortcuts to a USB flash drive and then copy them to your Windows 10 computer to the same path as your Windows 7 computer. 

I am well aware that officially W 10's days are numbered and my switching from a W7 to a W 10 PC will not be a permanent solution. The intention is to progress to W 11. I'm not quite sure  if I understand what you say about Security Updates but my aim is to make the W 10 as serviceable as possible in the interim - in the way that I have described if doable.

I'm not sure if this is what you want but open File Explorer on Windows 7 and browse to C>Users>your login name>Desktop

 

All of your shortcuts should be in this Desktop Folder. Copy the shortcuts to a USB flash drive and then copy them to your Windows 10 computer to the same path as your Windows 7 computer. 

 

I think that is what I attempted to do but no reason not to try again with your instructions in view (!).  A more advanced query is if I copy over the User File also if that would "arrange" the icons in the "correct" positions?

Don't copy the USERS folder to the new computer. That would be a disaster. Just copy the website shortcuts in the Desktop Folder. 

Re Win10 Security Updates after October : https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/latitude-7290

 

EDIT : wrong URL : https://betanews.com/2025/06/16/will-windows-10-stop-working-see-if-your-pc-will-survive-the-switch-to-windows-11/

 

EDIT : I would not know if you are aware or well aware of the above.  

A was saying that to figure out if you wanted to proceed with the Desktop migration to Windows 10.

Edited by Pkshadow, 22 June 2025 - 02:01 AM.

Re Win10 Security Updates after October : https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/latitude-7290
 
EDIT : I would not know if you are aware or well aware of the above.  
A was saying that to figure out if you wanted to proceed with the Desktop migration to Windows 10.

I'm afraid that such technical issues are above my pay grade. As I understand it I have bought a W 10 PC which should satisfy all reasonable requirements. I didn't think that "adding" a desktop file would make a great deal of difference.

I think I understand about the security updates. But the link was to Dell RAM and SSD upgrades which threw me.

Don't copy the USERS folder to the new computer. That would be a disaster. Just copy the website shortcuts in the Desktop Folder. 

That is precisely what I had in mind to do so tks for the warning and I will desist.

If I import the "W7 desktop" and rename it "Desktop 2", will it override the existing W 10 desktop settings OR would I have the option to switch between the two depending on circs?

Sorry about that. I thought the link copied.

 

URL re article on MS 10 EOL and Security :

https://betanews.com/2025/06/16/will-windows-10-stop-working-see-if-your-pc-will-survive-the-switch-to-windows-11/

@Pkshadow. I fear that our email corresp is not going strictly chronologically in one time dimension. There may appear to be gaps and duplications. I have studied the description of the Security patch and at this stage I could see a case for investing 30 dollars for a year's extension in October. I hope that it requires no more than a couple of mouse clicks. One of the options was to switch to ChromeOS. This struck me as worth following up.

That is precisely what I had in mind to do so tks for the warning and I will desist.

If I import the "W7 desktop" and rename it "Desktop 2", will it override the existing W 10 desktop settings OR would I have the option to switch between the two depending on circs?

I would copy all the files in Desktop to a folder called Desktop2 then copy Desktop 2 to anywhere you like on the new computer, probably to the Desktop of the new computer. 

 

So the procedure would be to create a folder called Desktop2. Next, open Desktop in File Explorer under C:\Users\your login name\Desktop. Select all the files in Desktop. Select Copy then Paste them into the Desktop2 folder.

Tks