Transferring your FTM 2019 (Family Tree Maker) software to a new computer can be a straightforward process, but there are several steps you need to follow to ensure that all your data and settings are transferred without any issues. FTM 2019 is a popular genealogy software, and moving it to a new computer often raises concerns about data integrity and software activation. Here’s a detailed guide to help you successfully transfer FTM 2019 to a new computer.
Firstly, before transferring FTM 2019 to a new computer, you must ensure that all your family tree files are properly backed up. This is crucial because if anything goes wrong during the transfer process, you want to ensure that none of your hard work is lost. In FTM 2019, you can create a backup of your family tree files by going to the “File” menu and selecting “Backup.” It is advisable to save this backup to an external storage device, such as a USB drive, or to cloud storage. This ensures that you can easily access the backup file from the new computer once the transfer process is complete.
After you have created the backup, you’ll need to deactivate the FTM 2019 license on your old computer. Family Tree Maker licenses are generally limited to a certain number of installations, so it’s important to deactivate the license before attempting to install it on a new machine. To do this, open FTM 2019 on your old computer, go to the “Help” menu, and select “Deactivate FTM.” Once the software has been deactivated, it is ready to be reinstalled on your new computer without any licensing issues.
Next, to transfer FTM 2019 to a new computer, you need to download and install the software on the new machine. You can do this by visiting the Family Tree Maker website and logging into your account. From there, you can download the installation file for FTM 2019. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to install the software on your new computer. If you purchased a physical copy of the software, you can use the installation disc to install FTM 2019 on your new machine, though downloading it directly from the website ensures you have the latest version.
Once FTM 2019 is installed on the new computer, you will need to activate the software using your license key. This key was provided to you when you first purchased the software, either by email or included in the packaging of the physical copy. During the installation process, you will be prompted to enter your license key. Simply input the key and follow the prompts to complete the activation.
After you have successfully activated FTM 2019 on the new computer, the next step is to restore your family tree files. Remember the backup you created earlier? Now is the time to transfer that backup file from your external storage device or cloud storage to the new computer. Once the file is on the new computer, open FTM 2019, go to the “File” menu, and select “Restore.” Browse for your backup file and select it to restore all your family tree data to the new installation of FTM 2019.
Finally, it is important to check that all your data has transferred correctly. Open your family tree files in FTM 2019 on the new computer and verify that all the information is accurate and up to date. If you use additional features like syncing with Ancestry.com or exporting data, you may need to reconfigure these settings on the new machine. After the transfer is complete, you can continue using Family Tree Maker 2019 just as you did before, but now on your new computer.
In summary, to successfully transfer FTM 2019 to a new computer, you need to back up your data, deactivate the license on the old machine, install the software on the new computer, activate it with your license key, and restore your backup. Taking these steps will ensure a smooth transition and allow you to continue building your family tree with minimal disruption.