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Windows Migration Assistant Not Working? Fix it in 7 Steps
Check verified solutions that did the trick for others!
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Migration Assistantis a useful tool for transferring data between Windows and Mac. The utility allows users to move files between devices, but the process is not as effortless as claimed. Many users reported that Windows Migration Assistant is not working.
For some users, the device was not located, while others found the process to be stuck. When faced with something similar, your primary approach should be to identify and eliminate the underlying cause. Let’s find out how!
Why is my Migration Assistant not working?
Here are a few reasons Migration Assistant is stuck or not opening:
What can I do if Windows Migration Assistant is not working?
Before we proceed to the complex ones, try these quick solutions first:
If none work, move to the fixes listed next.
1. Disable Edge from running
Most users reported that Windows Migration Assistant says Edge is running, and, as a result, it is not working. But preventing the browser, as well as the extensions, from running should do the trick.
2. Disable startup and background apps
Besides Edge, other apps, too, can affect the functioning of Migration Assistant, and it’s recommended that you disable all these from startup and running in the background.
3. Turn off the firewall
If the Migration Assistant is not finding Windows PC, it could be the firewall to blame. So, disable the Windows Defender Firewall as well as any other third-party ones installed on the PC, and the problem should disappear.
4. Repair the disk
Check Disk is a built-in utility in Windows that runs extensive scans on the disk and eliminates issues triggering errors. And since disk-related problems can lead to Windows Migration Assistant not working, running the CheckDisk scan should work.
5. Run Migration Assistant in compatibility mode
For some users, running Windows Migration Assistant in compatibility mode helped when the tool was stuck or not working. Compatibility Mode helps in cases when an app was ideally developed for an earlier iteration and is to be run on one released later.
6. Uninstall the antivirus
Simply disabling the antivirus doesn’t work in every case because some processes keep running and conflict with Windows Migration Assistant. In this case, it’s best that youuninstall the programto fix the problem.
7. Manually transfer the files
When nothing else works, you can always manually transfer the files. For that, you could use an alternateWindows to Mac data transfer software. These tools resemble Windows Migration Assistant in every aspect and should work just as well.
Another option is to use an external hard drive. But, with it, you would be able to copy just the files and not the program, emails, or other pieces of data. Nevertheless, it’s an evergreen method to transfer data between two devices.
After you have fixed Windows Migration Assistant when it’s not working, do not forget to read ourcomparison of Windows 11 and MacOS. Besides, if you haven’t found one, check thebest browsers for Mac.
For any queries or to share which solution worked for you, drop a comment below.
More about the topics:migration software,windows 10,Windows 11
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
