Retrieving from back up hard drive

[ABR]

I have a WD My Passport 1T continuously backing everything up on my PC. In the near future I'm replacing said PC. I understand I will need to have the WD software on the new computer, my questions are as follows:
Will the new PC display my desktop screen like it is now?
Will my MS Outlook email, MS Office, and Quickbooks be ready to go after retrieving from the backup hard drive?
I honestly have no clue

[AreWeFree]

1. Possibly but you should have realistic expectations. Backing up and restoring user data is different than application/Windows profile settings, and it depends on what you're backing up.

Personally I'd only be concerned with your data and not settings.

2. Your Office needs a license key that wouldn't be transferred over. Recover it from your existing install or find your license key from purchase.
Outlook .pst file can be restored just fine but again, account settings/preferences might not. Document your server settings anyway by going to account settings in Outlook.
Quickbooks shouldn't be a problem but be sure to get your license key, may need to deactivate on current system to install on new one. Make a separate backup within QB as well.

[ABR]

The new computers will have the latest version of Office/Outlook already installed. The backup hard drive is definitely backing up that mail. I'm hoping it will sort it into the new Outlook and excel/Word files as well. I do not know if that is a realistic expectation.
I have the Quickbooks Plus which allows me to download the newest version of QB whenever I need to. I do a manual backup everyday of the company file. That part should be a no-brainer.

[AreWeFree]

I believe WD backup is just copying the exact folder structure, so if you make the exact same user name on your new computer, and if you are backing up your entire user folder including the hidden appdata folder, then yes it will likely restore as you're expecting.

Most backup software is exactly that, a backup, and not intended to aid in migration. It is meant to put things back exactly as they were.

Sounds like you should be OK though.

[6foot8]

Chances are that version of Office on your new pc is only a trial version.

[ABR]

I believe WD backup is just copying the exact folder structure, so if you make the exact same user name on your new computer, and if you are backing up your entire user folder including the hidden appdata folder, then yes it will likely restore as you're expecting.

Most backup software is exactly that, a backup, and not intended to aid in migration. It is meant to put things back exactly as they were.

Sounds like you should be OK though.

I swapped computers back in '07 without a continuous external backup. At that time I had to purchase a new version of QB and Office. By far the QB and Outlook were the most important and the same is true today. There was a trick (which I have forgotten) to transfer all the emails and Outlook accounts to the new devises. I remember the only issue I had was getting QB networking set up properly but a call to Intuit took care of that. I'll dedicate this project to a weekend when the business is closed and take my time with it. Going from Windows Vista to 10 and purchasing Office 2016 Home and Business.

[uparmor]

Backup your qb to a flash drive, restore your qb database on new. Backup your pst from outlook to flash, attach exsisting database when setting up new outlook.

[RamonSJC]

If you are running Windows, run Windows easy transfer. Built into win7 but can be downloaded to xp.
Be sure to have the same "newer" software loaded on your new pc.

[ABR]

You guys are great, thanx for the tips. I may have more questions a bit down the road. For me changing out computers is a PITA. Few things intimidate me but this is one of them for sure

[ABR]

Backup your qb to a flash drive, restore your qb database on new. Backup your pst from outlook to flash, attach exsisting database when setting up new outlook.

When I import the pst will I have to go into account settings and create email address, data file info, and address books (MAPI) or will that get set up with the import as well?
Thanks