Re Adding Calibre Library after PC reset

Jo69 · 04-28-2026, 07:30 AM

I have had computer problems so had to reset my computer.
No chance to save my library the correct way.
So ended up just saving the files into 2 folders on an external.

One with all the books.
Another with the configuration folder.

Is there a chance I can create my library back to normal again?
I don't know where to start.

Comfy.n · 04-28-2026, 07:47 AM

Quote:

No chance to save my library the correct way.

Hi, what does that mean. What is that "correct way" you tried and then took for granted "there is no chance"? Perhaps you mean you tried to export all calibre data using the built-in feature.

Jo69 · 04-28-2026, 09:38 AM

Sorry no.My computer just crashed.

So I only have 2 calibre folders I saved

My books in one and the configuration folder.in another

Don't know if that is everything and what do I do with the files?
Just want to transfer ..important them back into calibre
But don't know where and how

theducks · 04-28-2026, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo69

Sorry no.My computer just crashed.

So I only have 2 calibre folders I saved

My books in one and the configuration folder.in another

Don't know if that is everything and what do I do with the files?
Just want to transfer ..important them back into calibre
But don't know where and how

Easy

Install Calibre the normal way.
Shut down Calibre.
Put those 2 folders back where they came from (the locations)
Start Calibre and check things out

Jo69 · 04-29-2026, 03:10 AM

The problem is, my memory is going. Not sure where they came from.

Karellen · 04-29-2026, 03:37 AM

Move the calibre folder to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\

Jo69 · 04-29-2026, 04:01 AM

This is what comes up in Users cant get any further. Now got 2 calibre folders.

Books are in calibre but cannot add more or change anything

Jo69 · 04-29-2026, 04:34 AM

Now Digital Editions just freezes too and no books there.

theducks · 04-29-2026, 10:57 AM

%appdata% is a hidden file/folder. You need to set Explorer to SHOW hidden.

PeterT · 04-29-2026, 11:15 AM

You can just type %appdata% in the file selector

Jo69 · 04-30-2026, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

%appdata% is a hidden file/folder. You need to set Explorer to SHOW hidden.

Of course I remember now
I bet it is so easy to make calibre how it was but my mind is saying it's hard.

Jo69 · 04-30-2026, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karellen

Move the calibre folder to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\

Doing that now thanks.Done.

So whats next, how do I import the books into calibre. I want to get it right. Did it when I was younger no problem but slowed right up nowadays.

ALSO...
So on my external I still have a folder called config which I also saved on my external
What do I do with that?

Karellen · 04-30-2026, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo69

So whats next, how do I import the books into calibre.

Now, move your folder that contains all your ebooks to the location where it was previously. What you are after is to get the "Path" exactly the same as it was before.
So, if it was in c:\My Documents\My eBooks\ for example, this is where you want to move it to on your new pc. That way when Calibre opens, it can find those books again at the same location.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo69

ALSO...
So on my external I still have a folder called config which I also saved on my external
What do I do with that?

You will have to explain what this config folder is. Where was it previously, what is in it.

Jo69 · 05-01-2026, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karellen

Now, move your folder that contains all your ebooks to the location where it was previously. What you are after is to get the "Path" exactly the same as it was before.
So, if it was in c:\My Documents\My eBooks\ for example, this is where you want to move it to on your new pc. That way when Calibre opens, it can find those books again at the same location.

You will have to explain what this config folder is. Where was it previously, what is in it.

Thought I had to back up the configuration folder too?
I just dont know what to do with it now?
All books appear in calibre now also my columns as befor. But unable to send books to it now yet again

Jo69 · 05-02-2026, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo69

Thought I had to back up the configuration folder too?
I just dont know what to do with it now?
All books appear in calibre now also my columns as befor. But unable to send books to it now yet again

All books are now back where the folder was before and showing in calibre
But I am unable to add any more books.

Also still got the old configuration folder on the external
What do I do with that?

Just trying to get calibre working again so I can add more books.

04-28-2026, 07:30 AM	#1
Jo69 Addict Posts: 215 Karma: 2070566 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: Kobo. Samsung Galaxy Tab. Kindle 4 2011	Re Adding Calibre Library after PC reset I have had computer problems so had to reset my computer. No chance to save my library the correct way. So ended up just saving the files into 2 folders on an external. One with all the books. Another with the configuration folder. Is there a chance I can create my library back to normal again? I don't know where to start.

04-28-2026, 09:38 AM	#3
Jo69 Addict Posts: 215 Karma: 2070566 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: Kobo. Samsung Galaxy Tab. Kindle 4 2011	Sorry no.My computer just crashed. So I only have 2 calibre folders I saved My books in one and the configuration folder.in another Don't know if that is everything and what do I do with the files? Just want to transfer ..important them back into calibre But don't know where and how Last edited by Jo69; 04-28-2026 at 11:09 AM.

04-29-2026, 03:10 AM	#5
Jo69 Addict Posts: 215 Karma: 2070566 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: Kobo. Samsung Galaxy Tab. Kindle 4 2011	The problem is, my memory is going. Not sure where they came from. Last edited by Jo69; 04-29-2026 at 03:12 AM.

04-29-2026, 04:01 AM	#7
Jo69 Addict Posts: 215 Karma: 2070566 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: Kobo. Samsung Galaxy Tab. Kindle 4 2011	This is what comes up in Users cant get any further. Now got 2 calibre folders. Books are in calibre but cannot add more or change anything Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Jo69; 04-29-2026 at 04:22 AM.

04-29-2026, 10:57 AM	#9
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,731 Karma: 64144480 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	%appdata% is a hidden file/folder. You need to set Explorer to SHOW hidden. Attached Thumbnails

04-29-2026, 03:37 AM	#6
Karellen Wizard Posts: 1,816 Karma: 9501034 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2	Move the calibre folder to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\

04-29-2026, 04:34 AM	#8
Jo69 Addict Posts: 215 Karma: 2070566 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: Kobo. Samsung Galaxy Tab. Kindle 4 2011	Now Digital Editions just freezes too and no books there.

04-29-2026, 11:15 AM	#10
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,928 Karma: 82520964 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	You can just type %appdata% in the file selector

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