Unable to save .lnk files

[xiaojohn]

In addition to using Calibre as my ebook library, I have also been using it to catalogue my audiobooks. I’ve done this by keeping my audiobooks in a separate folder and dragging a .lnk shortcut into the formats list on the basic metadata page of the ebook version of the audiobook. If I don’t have an ebook version, I create an empty book, fill in the metadata, and do the same.

However, I have found that lately this no longer works. When I attempt to drag a .lnk file into the basic metadata page, I get this error message when I try to save:

calibre, version 5.8.1
ERROR: Permission denied: Could not change the on disk location of this book. Is it open in another program?

Locked file: G:\2 Audio books\[book title]

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\metadata\single.py", line 615, in apply_changes
File "calibre\gui2\metadata\basic_widgets.py", line 938, in commit
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'G:\\2 Audio books\\[book title]'


Could this be because of the change made in Version 5.8.1?:
• Windows: Automatically resolve shortcuts (.lnk files) when adding books to calibre. Closes tickets: 1907410

If so, can anyone suggest a workaround? I think many Calibre users have used the ability to drag .lnk files (not the actual files) into Calibre as a way of linking ebooks with other material. For various reasons, I don’t want to store the actual audiobook in Calibre, though I know this can be done by turning it into a .zip file.

[kovidgoyal]

You dont need to zip up audio files, you can just add one directly. As for lnk files, calibre's library is designed to be self contained. Using various hacks to get around that is not recommended/supported.

[BetterRed]

instead of trying to add a .LNK file, which often results in fighting a losing battle with Windows, create an .M3U playlist file to the audiobook file(s) and add that to calibre.

BR

[xiaojohn]

Thanks BR - that's a much better idea.