> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.taltech.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to move WinWedge or WinWedge Pro to a new PC > Move your WinWedge setup to a new PC and arrange a transfer license. **Yes, you can move WinWedge or WinWedge Pro to a new PC, and you can test it before you pay.** Install the free 30-day WinWedge trial on the new PC, open your existing .SW3 configuration files in it, and check that data from your scale, balance or other serial device arrives in Excel or your other applications just as before. When you are happy, buy a transfer/upgrade license from TALtech and enter the **activation key** to turn the trial into your full licensed copy. The latest version of WinWedge works with all current versions of Windows, including Windows 11. WinWedge is a one-time purchase with no subscription or annual fees. A fee applies to transfer a license to a new PC, or to upgrade an older CD-based version to the latest version. This fee is much less than the cost of a new license. See the [TALtech software license agreement (EULA)](https://www.taltech.com/policies/software-license/). The WinWedge transfer fee is generally 50% of the equivalent new license's per-PC list price. For an exact quote, contact [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) with your existing license details (see Step 4). > [!TIP] > > **Free support, even during the trial.** If you would like help connecting your devices or setting up WinWedge on the new PC, contact TALtech technical support at [support@taltech.com](mailto:support@taltech.com) or 215-496-0222 (9 am to 5 pm Eastern). You do not need to have bought the transfer license first. ## Terms used on this page | Term | What it is | Where to find it | | - | - | - | | **Serial number / license number** | Proof of your original purchase | **Help > About** in WinWedge on the old PC, or your original order or invoice | | **Install ID** | A 5 or 6 digit number unique to each installation | **Help > About** in WinWedge on the new PC | | **Activation key** | The code TALtech sends you to activate WinWedge on the new PC | Sent by TALtech Sales, or generated from your key generator dashboard | > [!NOTE] > > Older CD versions of WinWedge show a serial number but not an Install ID in **Help > About**. Some versions label the Install ID "Unique ID" or show it when you double-click the large graphic. Send [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) whatever details you have. ## Steps Most customers get WinWedge working on the new PC first (Steps 1 to 3) and then buy the transfer/upgrade license (Steps 4 and 5). **1. Save your files and settings from the old PC** If you can still use the old computer: * **Copy your WinWedge configuration files (.SW3).** If you are not sure where they are, search the old PC for `*.SW3`. Configuration files work with both WinWedge and WinWedge Pro. * **Copy any macros you use with WinWedge's DDE mode,** and the files WinWedge sends data to, such as Excel workbooks, Access databases and log files. * **Note how WinWedge starts automatically, if it does.** Check the Windows Startup folder, desktop or Start-menu shortcuts that open a configuration file, and Task Scheduler. * **Note your license details.** Open **Help > About** in WinWedge and write down the version and any software serial number or Install ID shown. You will need these in Step 4. If the old computer no longer works, use any backups you have. You can create new configuration files on the new PC (see Step 3). **2. Install the free WinWedge trial on the new PC** Download and install the latest WinWedge or WinWedge Pro trial from the [TALtech free trial downloads page](https://www.taltech.com/support-resources/free-trial-downloads/). The trial is the full software. When you buy your transfer/upgrade license, you activate this same installation, so you do not need to reinstall anything or set it up again. The trial runs for 30 days, with each session limited to 20 minutes. Plan to buy your license before the trial runs out. Right-click the WinWedge icon and select **Run as administrator** the first time you run it. **3. Set up and test WinWedge with your old configuration files** **Copy your files to the new PC.** Copy your .SW3 configuration files, plus any DDE macros and the files WinWedge sends data to. **Connect your device.** Attach your balance, scale, gage, meter, sensor or other RS232 serial device to the new PC. * If you use an RS232-to-USB adapter, Windows usually installs its driver automatically when the PC is connected to the internet. If it does not, install the driver from the adapter maker's website. * Open **Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)** to see which COM port your device is using on the new PC. **Update the COM port in WinWedge.** In the WinWedge trial, open your original configuration file, go to **Port > Settings**, select the new COM port, and save the configuration file. If you are using the same device as before, the other serial port settings (baud rate, parity and so on) stay the same. If you are using a different device on the new PC, create a new configuration file using the [WinWedge Quick Start Guide](https://support.taltech.com/winwedge/winwedge-quick-start.md). **Update links to other applications.** If you send data from WinWedge to Excel, Access or another application using DDE, update any file paths or folder names that are different on the new PC. **Set up automatic start-up, if you used it.** See [Start WinWedge automatically](https://support.taltech.com/winwedge/automatically-running-winwedge-on-pc-startup-or-with-a-specific-configuration.md). **Test everything.** Collect data from your device into your usual applications, such as Excel, and check it works just as it did on the old PC. > [!TIP] > > Stuck? Contact [support@taltech.com](mailto:support@taltech.com) or call 215-496-0222. Free support is available while you are using the trial. **4. Buy your transfer/upgrade license** First, find the **Install ID** on the new PC: open WinWedge and go to **Help > About**. It is a 5 or 6 digit number. Then email [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) with: * Your company name * Your product (WinWedge or WinWedge Pro) and version * Your software serial number, license number, order number or invoice number, if you have it * The old installation's Install ID, if available * The email address used to register the software or your key generator dashboard, if you know it * The **Install ID** from the new PC If you do not have all of these details, send what you have. Sales will check your license and email you a quote. You can pay by credit card or company purchase order. **5. Enter your activation key** After payment, you get your activation key in one of two ways: * **By email:** Sales emails you an activation key for the Install ID you sent. * **Through your key generator dashboard:** Sales adds a replacement activation to your dashboard. Open the link Sales sends you, enter the new Install ID, and generate your activation key. Then: 1. Run the WinWedge trial as administrator. 2. Enter the **activation key** in the activation key field. 3. Restart WinWedge. It is now fully activated, with all the settings you tested in Step 3. > [!WARNING] > > Enter the **activation key**, not the Install ID. The Install ID is the number you sent to TALtech; the activation key is the code you received back. > [!NOTE] > > Keep the PC name, Install ID, activation key, and software license or order number together in your records. **6. Uninstall WinWedge from the old PC** Once WinWedge is activated and working on the new PC, uninstall it from the old PC if you can still access it. The license has now been transferred to the new PC. ## Frequently asked questions > [accordion] Can I transfer my WinWedge license to a new computer? > > Yes. Install the [free 30-day WinWedge trial](https://www.taltech.com/support-resources/free-trial-downloads/) on the new computer and test it with your existing configuration files. Then email [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) with your license details and the new Install ID. TALtech sends a quote, and after payment you receive an activation key for the new computer. > [accordion] Can I test WinWedge on my new PC before I pay for the transfer? > > Yes. Most customers do. The free 30-day trial is the full software, so you can open your existing .SW3 configuration files, connect your devices and check that everything works before you buy. When you activate, you keep the same installation and settings. Free technical support is available during the trial. > [accordion] How long does the WinWedge trial last? > > The free trial runs for 30 days, with each session limited to 20 minutes. Buy your transfer/upgrade license before the trial runs out so your data collection is not interrupted. > [accordion] Is there a fee to move WinWedge to a new PC? > > Yes. WinWedge has no subscription or annual fees, but there is a one-time fee to transfer a license to a new PC. It is much less than the cost of a new license. See the [TALtech software license agreement (EULA)](https://www.taltech.com/policies/software-license/) or email [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) for a quote. > [accordion] Does WinWedge work on Windows 11? > > Yes. The latest version of WinWedge and WinWedge Pro works with all current versions of Windows, including Windows 11. Download the [free trial](https://www.taltech.com/support-resources/free-trial-downloads/) to try it on your PC. > [accordion] My old PC has died. Can I still move WinWedge? > > Yes. Email [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) with whatever you have, such as your company name, order number, invoice or the email address you registered with. If you have backups of your .SW3 configuration files, copy them to the new PC. If not, you can create new configuration files with the [WinWedge Quick Start Guide](https://support.taltech.com/winwedge/winwedge-quick-start.md), or contact [support@taltech.com](mailto:support@taltech.com) for help. > [accordion] Where do I find my serial number or Install ID? > > Open WinWedge and go to **Help > About**. Check the old PC for your original software serial number, or use your order or invoice. The Install ID for the new installation is shown on the new PC. Older CD versions show the serial number but not an Install ID. Some versions label the Install ID "Unique ID" or show it when you double-click the large graphic. > [accordion] I have an old CD version of WinWedge. Can I move it to a new PC? > > Yes. Older CD-based versions are upgraded to the latest version as part of the move. Install the [free WinWedge trial](https://www.taltech.com/support-resources/free-trial-downloads/) on the new PC, test it with your configuration files, and email [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) for an upgrade quote. > [accordion] Do I need to reconfigure WinWedge for my scale, balance or other serial device when I move to a new PC? > > Usually not. Copy your .SW3 configuration file to the new PC and update the COM port in **Port > Settings** to match the port shown in Device Manager. The other serial settings stay the same if you are using the same device. > [accordion] Does this work for WinWedge Pro? > > Yes. The steps are the same for WinWedge and WinWedge Pro, and .SW3 configuration files work with both. > [accordion] Who do I contact for help? > > For help setting up WinWedge or connecting your devices, contact technical support at [support@taltech.com](mailto:support@taltech.com) or 215-496-0222 (9 am to 5 pm Eastern). Support is free, including during the trial. > > For license transfers, quotes and activation keys, contact [sales@taltech.com](mailto:sales@taltech.com) or 800-722-6004. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.