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Moving off Windows 10 or an Intel Mac? Protect your data first

October 28, 2026

2026 has pushed a lot of people towards a new computer. Apple’s macOS 27, released on 14 September 2026, only runs on Macs with Apple silicon, and Windows 10 now relies on Microsoft’s extended security updates, which run until 12 October 2027. If you’re planning a move, the old computer still holds your files, and the move itself is when things most often go wrong.

What’s changed

  • Intel Macs: Apple said in 2025 that macOS Tahoe 26 would be the last major version for Intel-based Macs, and macOS 27 Golden Gate requires Apple silicon. Intel Macs keep working, but won’t get the new version.
  • Windows 10: normal support ended on 14 October 2025. Home users can still get security fixes through Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates programme, now extended to 12 October 2027.

Five steps before you switch

  • Make a full copy first. Back up the whole computer, not just your Documents folder. Photos, email archives and app data are often stored somewhere else.
  • Check the copy opens. Open a few photos and documents from the backup on another computer before you do anything else.
  • Don’t wipe, sell or trade in the old computer until you have used the new one for a few weeks and are sure nothing is missing.
  • Watch for warning signs during the copy. If the transfer keeps stopping, the computer gets very slow, or the drive clicks or disappears, stop. A failing drive gets worse every time it is pushed through a long copy.
  • Note your encryption keys. If the old drive uses BitLocker or FileVault, write down the recovery key. Without it, no one can read the drive.

Why MacBooks need extra care

On most MacBooks since 2018, the storage is built into the logic board and can’t be removed. If the Mac stops working, the files can only be reached by repairing the board. Our board-level repair team does this in our London lab, so a dead MacBook doesn’t have to mean lost files.

If something goes wrong

If a transfer fails or the old computer won’t start, power it down and leave it off. Don’t run CHKDSK, First Aid or free recovery tools on a noisy or slow drive. Describe the device and what happened, and an engineer will reply with advice and a no-obligation quote. Call the lab on 020 7064 4996.

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