Older computers with Windows 6 (Vista) or 7 may have security problems IF YOU USE THEM ON THE INTERNET. That's why both my places of work won't let my old Win7 computer on their network. Of course, you can still use them as a local-only machine. I don't know how to put them on one keyboard/monitor, but why not get a large flash drive and copy the files you need onto it? This, of course, assumes your old computer has a USB port. If it's slow, it will take awhile, but that's just once.

On your old computer, select the C: drive and go to properties, to see how big the disk is, and how full it is. Get a backup drive at least that large and copy everything from your old computer to it and use that drive as an external USB hard disk. Of course, you can't use the program files from your old computer so if you have old programs you want to use, you'll have to get equivalent programs for your new computer, or use the old one if necessary.

Thanks for the suggestion. I do have a drive that I have used for backups occasionally--not very often as it seemed to make my old computer work too hard. But I really don't want to have to purchase new programs for the new computer. That's why I had hoped to continue using the old one as long as possible.

If you want to use two computers with the same monitor, etc. then you can get a KVM switch. This is a box which connects to the Keyboard Video and Mouse ports of each computer. You plug your K, V, and M into it and you can switch between computers. The only problem is that the ports of the two computers much match. Your new computer probably has a USB keyboard and mouse, and they will probably work on the old one. Many monitors now have multiple ports so you could switch it between computers.

Without more information of what you have, I can't be more specific.

The easiest way to transfer files from one PC to another is using a memory stick or external drive. No need to "join" the PCs. Though, if you want to "join" them and you have a home network (meaning wifi or a router), you may be able to share folders and copy them from one to another that way. Not if there is a wide diversity between operating systems

Using an external memory device, copy-then paste-then copy off- is the easiest.

Get a friends, a neighbor, a younger family member, to help you. Do it all at once and call it done. This is a very simple thing to do. Then give your old PC a well deserved retirement.

Another option is to use remote control software from one to the other. Just control it remotely. Here's a good free option...includes file transfer

https://www.tightvnc.com/

Yes, that's an alternative too. Though a seemingly less frequently updated and less widely used than Real VNC, which is the one I use. Both are free for non-commercial users. And Russian, no sense in giving the KGB a backdoor entrance. ;-)

I have a headless server and I access it from a handful of different PCs in my house. I've found the VNC Server and Viewer software code to be light, easily set up once, and very responsive for use within one network.

But for this user who's self described as tech challenged, it would seem the easiest thing would be a one time file copy project (done by someone else as a helper, if necessary) and to then be done with it. I can't imagine that many files could be involved.

@Elmer J Fudd I don't see RealVNC server as being free (viewer, yes).

" ... I really don't want to have to purchase new programs for the new computer. That's why I had hoped to continue using the old one ... "

Can you retrieve the keys for the old programs? If so, maybe you could download the programs (from the program's official websites) and reuse your keys.

A KVM switch should work but I've never used one. I always seem to have an extra mouse, keyboard and display from old computers.

So might using the old computer (as suggested) as a headless (no display, etc.) machine running a VNC server. Install the server on the old computer, the viewer on the new. I don't use it but that looks to be the free version.

I'm assuming you'll be using your old mouse, keyboard and monitor on the new computer. Is the monitor from the old computer lower resolution that the new computer is capable of? If so, although not necessary, it might be nice to hook a high resolution monitor to the new computer.

If it were me and I could swing it, I might consider something similar to this:

1080P Monitor: https://www.walmart.com/grocery/ip/onn-VGA-HDMI-60hz-FHD-Monitor-1080p-22/971375923

Wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo: https://www.walmart.com/grocery/ip/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-and-Mouse-Combo/605403536

Walmart curbside... they bring it out to your car and put it in your trunk. No contact.

I just did a quick search. I didn't check Amazon or anyone else.

It would cost you more, and take more space, but it might save you a bit of frustration.

Your personal documents are probably all in your "Documents" folder on your Vista machine. Unless you have a lot of videos, they would probably fit on a USB flash drive.

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@badabing2

https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/pricing/
We also have a FREE version of VNC Connect which is available for personal non-commercial use, this can be obtained by activating a Home subscription.

Maybe?

Thanks, everybody, for all the suggestions. I'll have to look into them and see which appears to be easiest. I'm always so busy at this time of year that I haven't even gotten around to turning on the new computer yet, so that probably will have to wait until after the Labor Day weekend. My monitor is a very large one that I use for editing photos, which is why I'd prefer not to have another one cluttering up my desk.

badabing, the link Richard shows for what I guess is now called "Home Subscription" looks like it is the free version.

It's funny. I just re-installed this perhaps two months ago. My headless server was apparently doing a Windows update and I think there was a power surge that gave it indigestion. I had to do a recovery and reinstall windows and the programs on the PC, including Real VNC server. The website pages I saw at the time were different than what I see is there now.

But I think the upshot is the same. I had to provide an email address and I think that sent a key by email to enable the software. I haven't seen any further emails. I've been using this and earlier versions for at least 10 years (I currently use 6.20 viewer and 6.7 server) and have never paid a penny nor gotten stray emails from them.

Real VNC is as easy as could be to use. Once installed and after a simple setup (which as I recall involves only entering the internal IP address of the destination), you have an icon to click on to start the viewer. On the receiving side, the server software starts automatically at boot up. Nothing else is needed for complete remote access.

I also use Team Viewer for connections across the internet to PCs outside of my home network for family support and help issues. That's satisfactory for occasional use but it can be a pain when only looked at once in awhile and can be a bit awkward.

Nice to hear a free, non-commercial RealVNC version available. Definitely a quality product. Would be a good solution for the OP.