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20 May 2025

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Windows 11 is testing a new wireless PC-to-PC data transfer feature
Back in the older versions of Windows, there used to be a handy feature called Windows Easy Transfer that painlessly guided the process of migrating files and settings from one computer to another. Sadly, it was discontinued with Windows 10 as Microsoft wanted users to start using its OneDrive cloud storage instead. But it seems like Windows Easy Transfer might be making a comeback, at least in spirit. According to Windows Latest, Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows Backup that allegedly behaves in a similar way. Here's a bit of the Windows Migration flow in the latest Dev build, 26200.5600 (also in Beta 26120.3964). This is in the actual Backup app, not the UI reconstruction we saw earlier this year. pic.twitter.com/rwImzRJoJE— phantomofearth ?? (@phantomofearth) May 13, 2025 Spotted by Twitter user @phantomofearth, the Insider Dev version of Windows 11 now has a “Transfer files to a new PC” option in Windows Backup. This new PC-to-PC transfer method requires both PCs—the sending PC and the receiving PC—to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The sending PC is given a special code to be entered on the receiving PC, which connects the two PCs and allows you to commence the transfer. The feature allegedly supports the transfer of “files, apps, settings, and credentials over a network connection to speed up PC setup.” You can use it to transfer data to both new and established Windows PCs. Further reading: The best Windows backup software

HP’s Core Ultra 7 work laptop with 16GB RAM is $400 off today
Some laptops are built for leisure, others are built for gaming. And then you have laptops like the HP ProBook 460 G11 that are built for work. It’s fast, it’s capable, and it’s $400 off at B&H right now. Its original $1,299 price has been knocked down to just $899—an absolute steal when you consider the specs and performance packed into it. The ProBook 460 G11 is purpose-built to tackle your entire to-do list, whether that includes sending out emails, planning complex work tasks, procrastinating on social media, bingeing your guilty pleasure reality TV shows on break, while juggling dozens of open apps and browser tabs. With its speedy Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor, it’ll deftly handle whatever you throw at it while still managing 12+ hours of battery life on its modestly sized 56-watt-hour battery. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM is pretty standard. It’s about as low as we’d recommend for any modern laptop running Windows 11, and this machine comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. The 512GB M.2 SSD leaves something to be desired, but it’s plenty large as long as you aren’t downloading tons of high-res video, and it’s hard to ask for more at this price. If you really need more storage, add a fast external drive or two via the two USB-C and/or two USB-A ports. The 16-inch 1920p screen is work-optimized, so you probably don’t want to game on it. As for display connectivity, this laptop includes a full-sized HDMI port, and the aforementioned USB-C ports support video output. That means it can support triple displays for maximum productivity. While it lacks SD/microSD slots, you do get a LAN port and 3.5mm audio jack. And with its 0.43-inch thickness and 3.85-pound weight, it’s portable enough to take with you wherever you do your work best. Take advantage of this $400 discount at B&H and get your own HP ProBook 460 G11 for $899 while this sale is still going on! Save $400 on HP's productivity-focused work laptopBuy now from B&H

Get Samsung’s rugged little 256GB USB flash drive for only $22
If you want to be ready for anything, your tech drawer needs to have a few things always on hand—like a small-but-fast flash drive that you can whip out whenever you need to move files between devices. I’m talking about something like this Samsung Bar Plus on Amazon! Act now to get 256GB of portable storage for a mere $22. That’s a whopping 45% off its original MSRP and a solid price for this much space. The best part about the Samsung Bar Plus—apart from its price—is that it can transfer files at up to 400 MB/s speeds, which means you can move large videos, archives, and folders in seconds. It’s widely compatible with any modern device that supports USB-A, too. This USB flash drive has a sleek design and a rugged metal casing that makes it more durable than most of its competitors. It’s waterproof, shockproof, and built to withstand extreme temperatures, damage from magnets, and even X-ray machines. You can carry this thing anywhere you go, and it has a convenient keyring hole for looping onto a lanyard. While 256GB is the sweet spot for many, if you need more or less, know that the other capacities are also on sale: the 128GB model is $15 (was $23) and the 512GB model is $63 (was $80). But for the best bang for your buck, get the 256GB model for $22 (was $40)! Save 45% on the Samsung Bar Plus USB flash driveBuy now at Amazon

I switched to a trackball mouse and I’m never going back
Computer mice are silent killers. For years I struggled with wrist pain, elbow pain, and shoulder pain, and I staved it off with stretches, exercises, ergonomic changes, and what have you—but it always kept coming back. Turns out, it was because of my mouse. About a year ago, I was at my wit’s end, scrambling for web advice on why I’m hurting and what I could do about it. Reddit users talked about how switching to a trackball mouse made all the difference for them, and I was intrigued. Hopeful, even. Sure, I was reluctant because I didn’t want to waste my money or relearn how to work a mouse, but the pain was bad enough that I sucked it up and took a chance. Joel Lee / Foundry So, I spent $38 on a ProtoArc EM03, telling myself I could just return it if I didn’t like it. (The EM03 has since been discontinued, but the Nulea M505 is similar in design and price.) And you know what? I hated it for the first week or so. It was foreign, cumbersome, and weird. It had a learning curve, and it was frustrating, to say the least. Then something magical happened: around the fourth week, I found myself zipping through my usual work without fumbling or struggling, without any of my usual pain. Wrist, elbow, shoulder—all gone. And using the trackball mouse? Second nature. I was having a good time with it, and I dare say I now prefer it to traditional mice. Buy trackball mouse on Amazon I should note that my mouse is a finger trackball, not a thumb trackball. I’ve tried the thumb variant before, and I find it less precise and more prone to hand fatigue and repetitive strain. Being able to control the trackball with both index and middle fingers makes for a more pleasant experience with minimal wear on a single digit. I love that there’s close to zero body movement when using a trackball mouse, meaning I can place it wherever I want with no regard for space or need of a mouse pad. I can put it on top of my desktop tower, under my monitor, or down on my lap, and it’s heavy enough to stay anchored while I’m using it. It doesn’t slide around. Other things I love about it? The ergonomic shape conforms to my hand. The mouse buttons are large, tactile, and quiet. The “Soft Touch” material is gentle and cooling. I can connect it to three devices, two via Bluetooth pairings and one via wireless dongle. It lasts about 3 to 4 months on a full charge, and it recharges in an hour or so. Joel Lee / Foundry As far as I can tell, there are only three downsides to using a trackball mouse. First, they aren’t suitable for games with lots of mouse movement. Traditional mice still excel for FPSes and the like, so maybe keep a backup mouse just for gaming. Second, the socket that holds the trackball gets gunked up over time (like older mice used to do back before optical and laser tech) and needs occasional cleaning. Third, finding a left-handed version might be tougher than with traditional mice. I can put up with all of that. As far as I’m concerned, the benefits outweigh the inconveniences, and the buy-in cost was absolutely worth it. The day my trackball mouse dies, you can bet I’m ordering a replacement right then and there—most likely the Nulea M505, but maybe the Kensington Expert if I want to try something more unusual. Buy trackball mouse on Amazon