Hi, Josie.

I realize this is an older post, but it's still relevant I'd say.

I too have a tower which is my DAW/Studio pc that's not Windows 11 compatible. It is connected to the local network/router and the internet, but I try to use it exclusively for music production. Of course the installed programs and plugins have to be updated via the web and they have been, but in October 2026 the free Microsoft Extended Security Updates (ESU) I registered for will end and that pc will be isolated from the web.

The 250GB SSD is about 85% full now and the existing programs like BIAB 2022, Sonar Platinum, and Studio One Pro 4 are all stable and running well. I may clone that SSD and build a Windows 11 pc, if I can muster the courage, but for now I'm planning to hold what I got.

Getting back to Josie's OP, I've been using a USB flash drive to move files from the Studio PC to a laptop for quite some time. I've done that mainly because I prefer to be on my laptop, like I am now, for non-DAW computing like uploading audio files for streaming, accessing these forums and surfing the web. Doing that sort of serves as a backup too since exported wav or mp3 files end up being stored on two different computers. I suppose I could move those files across the local network, but I didn't set the Studio PC to be Public.

Anyway, I came across this post and thought I'd chime in.

Take care.

My stuff:
https://soundcloud.com/scott-h-olson
https://www.youtube.com/@ScottHOlson

Sonar Platinum, Studio One Pro 4, Windows 10, Hybrid Home Studio