HT204087: Move your data from a Windows PC to a Mac

Learn about Move your data from a Windows PC to a Mac
PADiscJockey
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Trying to avoid creating a new account

I have already created my master account on my new iMac.  I would like to transfer files from other PC's to this account.  According to the support article, this will create a new account on my iMac.  Is there a work around for this, or will I just end up deleting my account and modifying the new account created by the migration?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 4, 2013 8:18 AM

Close
PADiscJockey

Q: Trying to avoid creating a new account

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by sig,Helpful

    sig sig Feb 4, 2013 8:22 AM in response to PADiscJockey
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 4, 2013 8:22 AM in response to PADiscJockey

    Transfer the files by copying to an external drive or flash drive. Then copy to the Mac.

  • by PADiscJockey,

    PADiscJockey PADiscJockey Feb 4, 2013 8:38 AM in response to sig
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2013 8:38 AM in response to sig

    I was afraid you would say that.  Hmmm...bummer.  At any rate, I appreciate your response.  Quick question regarding that.  Does the external drive need to be formated one way or the other?  I am guessing that I can just take an external I have used in the past, for my PC based computers, move those files to that, and then use that same external to connect to the iMac?

  • by sig,

    sig sig Feb 4, 2013 9:03 AM in response to PADiscJockey
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 4, 2013 9:03 AM in response to PADiscJockey

    Fat 32 can be read by both PC and Mac.

  • by cbs20,

    cbs20 cbs20 Feb 4, 2013 9:24 AM in response to sig
    Level 4 (2,785 points)
    Feb 4, 2013 9:24 AM in response to sig

    Also exFat

  • by TR6Nick,

    TR6Nick TR6Nick Feb 13, 2013 8:17 AM in response to PADiscJockey
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2013 8:17 AM in response to PADiscJockey

    Hi,

    I'm a new kid on the block and trying to migrate from PC to iMac.

    Having tried initially with wireless and failed, I then connected over ethernet and the connection was made instantly - superb!!

    I, like PADiskJockey have already created an account and don't want to create another.

    You mention copying to an external drive or flash drive - perfect, but I don't see any option to do that. When I tested the migration assistant it started to say creating a new user ... so I quit.

    How to I divert the migrated data to an external drive, please??

  • by sig,

    sig sig Feb 13, 2013 8:29 AM in response to TR6Nick
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 13, 2013 8:29 AM in response to TR6Nick

    Insert your flash drive to the PC. Copy the files to it and then insert it into the Mac and copy the files over.

  • by TR6Nick,

    TR6Nick TR6Nick Feb 13, 2013 10:33 AM in response to sig
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2013 10:33 AM in response to sig

    That was what I was going to do for the majority of files anyway.

    The only files I was going to migrate using the Wizard were the Outlook related ones ie .pst files. I am not using Outlook on the iMac as it was quite expensive so I was expecting the Migration Wizard to translate the .pst file into the relevant format for Mail and Contacts on iMac. I have not discovered the format and location of the iMac versions of these files so was going to rely on the Wizard to do this for me.

    Is there a method for translating these files and where should they be located?

    Thanks

  • by TR6Nick,

    TR6Nick TR6Nick Feb 13, 2013 4:23 PM in response to TR6Nick
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2013 4:23 PM in response to TR6Nick

    I have answered my own question.

    I thought the Migration Assistant was a lot cleverer than it actually is. I do not see the point in using it.

    I only wanted to migrate/translate the Outlook .pst, contacts and calendar. I have successfully and simply migrated the outlook .pst file using Thunderbird. See the relevant part of: http://guides.macrumors.com/Moving_Email_from_PC_Outlook_to_Apple_Mail . It's not perfect as I have some attachments now included in the email itself and I have found one pdf file which has exploded into the email, but I don't think I have lost anything.

    The only way I can see to migrate contacts is one at a time by doing 'Save As' and selecting the .vcf format. On the Mac you just drag the .vcf file onto the open contacts page.

    I cannot find a way to migrate Calendar so I'm stuck on that one.