Upgrading and backups - what to save?

manawydan · 11-08-2013, 04:49 PM

I couldn't find a thread with search though I guess it has been asked a million time ..

When I do an upgrade what should I save from the old version so my user settings will not be overwritten (if they are)?
E.g. if I have changed shortcuts, the menu, context menu, etc.

Or is it ok to simply make a copy of the whole Calibre folder from the application data folder and paste it after the installation of the new version?

These are the folders in application data:

calibre
conversion
fonts
metadata_sources
plugins
DeDRM
help
libraryfiles
shortcuts

and these the files directly in the Calibre folder (still all in application data).
customize.py
device_drivers_KINDLE.py
device_drivers_SMART_DEVICE_APP.py
dynamic.pickle
global.py
gui.json
gui.py
history.plist
iterator.pickle
save_to_disk.py
server.py
server_access_log.txt
server_error_log.txt
smtp.py
tweaks.py
viewer.json

My guess is that these files should/can be saved:
customize.py
gui.json
gui.py
tweaks.py

Any others?
Or am I completely off here?

For backups I save the library folder and the whole Calibre folder in application data.
Is that enough or is there anything else to save?

aleyx · 11-08-2013, 05:16 PM

Depends on your OS, I suppose. I have no idea what's on MacOS, but on Windows I just backup everything in %appdata%\calibre, and .config/calibre on Linux.

It's not large enough that I have to stop and think about what to pick...

Adoby · 11-08-2013, 05:51 PM

If you only upgrade from one version of calibre to another, there is no need to do anything. The new version will use the settings from the previously installed version, including the library.

If you are changing to another computer then I would recommend that you do a full reinstall and copy over the calibre library.

It is usually possible to also copy over the files in the configuration folder to also get all the old settings over, but it isn't officially supported. It might cause problems. It could be better to make screen dumps of the relevant dialogs and configure the new install that way.

manawydan · 11-10-2013, 02:22 PM

Thanks for your answers.
Forgot the OS, it is Windows XP.
And true, the config folder isn't that big - I just was not sure if there is something else to save apart from this and the library folder.

11-08-2013, 04:49 PM	#1
manawydan Connoisseur Posts: 95 Karma: 5854 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Upgrading and backups - what to save? I couldn't find a thread with search though I guess it has been asked a million time .. When I do an upgrade what should I save from the old version so my user settings will not be overwritten (if they are)? E.g. if I have changed shortcuts, the menu, context menu, etc. Or is it ok to simply make a copy of the whole Calibre folder from the application data folder and paste it after the installation of the new version? These are the folders in application data: calibre conversion fonts metadata_sources plugins DeDRM help libraryfiles shortcuts and these the files directly in the Calibre folder (still all in application data). customize.py device_drivers_KINDLE.py device_drivers_SMART_DEVICE_APP.py dynamic.pickle global.py gui.json gui.py history.plist iterator.pickle save_to_disk.py server.py server_access_log.txt server_error_log.txt smtp.py tweaks.py viewer.json My guess is that these files should/can be saved: customize.py gui.json gui.py tweaks.py Any others? Or am I completely off here? For backups I save the library folder and the whole Calibre folder in application data. Is that enough or is there anything else to save?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I have some questions...incl backups	JVM	Kobo Reader	4	04-08-2011 12:20 PM
Disable iTunes auto backups	lilman	Apple Devices	13	05-09-2010 12:17 PM
How many backups do you have?	Sydney's Mom	General Discussions	23	04-03-2010 11:53 PM
Save a copy of your old firmware if upgrading!	rossh	Astak EZReader	9	03-18-2010 12:24 AM
CF card or iLiad backups?	nekokami	iRex	12	10-16-2007 09:25 AM

11-08-2013, 05:16 PM	#2
aleyx Addict Posts: 250 Karma: 20386 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: France Device: Bookeen Diva, Kobo Clara BW	Depends on your OS, I suppose. I have no idea what's on MacOS, but on Windows I just backup everything in %appdata%\calibre, and .config/calibre on Linux. It's not large enough that I have to stop and think about what to pick...

11-08-2013, 05:51 PM	#3
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,737 Karma: 26785684 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	If you only upgrade from one version of calibre to another, there is no need to do anything. The new version will use the settings from the previously installed version, including the library. If you are changing to another computer then I would recommend that you do a full reinstall and copy over the calibre library. It is usually possible to also copy over the files in the configuration folder to also get all the old settings over, but it isn't officially supported. It might cause problems. It could be better to make screen dumps of the relevant dialogs and configure the new install that way.

11-10-2013, 02:22 PM	#4
manawydan Connoisseur Posts: 95 Karma: 5854 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Thanks for your answers. Forgot the OS, it is Windows XP. And true, the config folder isn't that big - I just was not sure if there is something else to save apart from this and the library folder.

Advert