How to Move a Photo Archive to Another Computer
By ImgHeal · Updated
Transfer files and context together, then compare before retiring the old copy.
Inventory the whole archive
Include original scans, back images, captions, project files, and accepted exports. Check for linked files stored outside the main folder. Record the source location and expected identifiers before starting the transfer.
Copy and verify
Copy to a clearly named destination without overwriting unrelated files. Compare counts, paths, sizes, and checksums where useful. Open representative files on the new computer, including a large master and an editing project that might require external resources.
Keep the old copy until review is complete
Confirm backup coverage for the new location and test a small recovery. Update any folder references in the index. Only consider retiring the old archive after comparison and recovery checks are clean; a successful copy operation alone is insufficient.
Check before you finish
- Include linked files and notes.
- Keep the source until verification is complete.
Continue with a related guide
Try a restoration on a copy of your photo
Keep the original scan. Upload a separate digital copy, review ImgHeal’s generated result, and decide whether it suits your needs.
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