Relocating Calibre Library for backup purposes

rborland · 05-24-2025, 03:06 PM

I have just reset my Windows system after a disk crash. Unfortunately I did not make a recent backup of Calibre Library. When I reinstall Calibre again I propose to relocate the library directory under my Documents folder so that it will be automatically backed up by Windows File History. I don't want to have to rely on manual backups again.

I'd appreciate any comments about this approach to backing up or recommendations of other strategies.

I'd also appreciate any advice on how to quickly restore my library from my directory of epub format ebooks.

Thanks in advance,
Rob Borland

dunhill · 05-24-2025, 05:00 PM

If you are forgetful about backups, I recommend the Backup Configuration Folder plugin.

PeterT · 05-24-2025, 05:25 PM

[s]The standard advice is DONT PLACE YOUR CALIBRE LIBRARY IN MY DOCUMENTS. In fact I think (but am probably wrong) that calibre will prevent you from placing it there.[/s]

I was totally wrong.

On recollection I think it's Desktop that calibre prevents one using for the library.

Comfy.n · 05-24-2025, 05:37 PM

Never used Windows File History. Only occasionally I do backups with FreeFileSync to an external HDD, and a bat script to back up the config folder on demand just when I sense it might be useful.

Main library path is c:\mylib.

cgsmom · 05-24-2025, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

The standard advice is DONT PLACE YOUR CALIBRE LIBRARY IN MY DOCUMENTS. In fact I think (but am probably wrong) that calibre will prevent you from placing it there.

My Calibre Library is in my documents folder. I would like to know why this is not a good idea. It has been there ever since I started using Calibre. I don’t remember why but I assume that is what the default was. I really don’t remember the original installation but I have changed computers several times since I started using the program and never have had a problem. It gets backed up when I back up my documents.

Sirtel · 05-24-2025, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgsmom

My Calibre Library is in my documents folder. I would like to know why this is not a good idea. It has been there ever since I started using Calibre. I don’t remember why but I assume that is what the default was. I really don’t remember the original installation but I have changed computers several times since I started using the program and never have had a problem. It gets backed up when I back up my documents.

Because OneDrive syncs the Documents folder, unless the user disables that. And having OneDrive run on your live library while calibre is open is a very, very bad idea.

BetterRed · 05-24-2025, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

In fact I think (but am probably wrong) that calibre will prevent you from placing it there.

You are - wrong, and for good reason :

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BR

cgsmom · 05-24-2025, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Because OneDrive syncs the Documents folder, unless the user disables that. And having OneDrive run on your live library while calibre is open is a very, very bad idea.

Wow! Thanks for that info. Guess I’m just lucky that I’ve never used OneDrive for backups.

rborland · 05-25-2025, 03:30 AM

I appreciate the useful comments above.

I share users' views of One Drive, I never use and have uninstalled it. By contrast I find File History very useful.

I have configured Calibre Library in Documents and will share any problems I experience.

Regards,
Rob

BetterRed · 05-25-2025, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rborland

. . . By contrast I find File History very useful.

Me too, but:

it can be configured to work anywhere, not just Documents;
I've used it to recover an individual file back to a point in time - always because I did something stupid….

But I don't think its suitable for recovering a book folder let alone a library folder. If a book goes AWOL (e.g. because I inadvertently deleted it), first place I'll look is in calibre's trash and if its not there I'll go to my backup which archives deletes.

BR

theducks · 05-25-2025, 11:17 AM

As BR pointed out. A deleted book removes BOTH the book and the DB Entry in the Library.
Using the OS (backup restore) can't make the DB entry and partially damages the Library integrity.
Always ADD these kinds of corrections BACK thru the normal Add Books. Unless you have caused Calibre to update the books EMBEDDED metadata, that may be stale.

If your backup maintains the Library folder structure info, there should be a companion metadata.opf and cover.jpg

Open that folder and DRAG only the OPF into Calibre Library view (A drag and Drop Add), That will make all the DB entries that were current at the time of deletion and bring the book and cover back.

05-24-2025, 03:06 PM	#1
rborland Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	Relocating Calibre Library for backup purposes I have just reset my Windows system after a disk crash. Unfortunately I did not make a recent backup of Calibre Library. When I reinstall Calibre again I propose to relocate the library directory under my Documents folder so that it will be automatically backed up by Windows File History. I don't want to have to rely on manual backups again. I'd appreciate any comments about this approach to backing up or recommendations of other strategies. I'd also appreciate any advice on how to quickly restore my library from my directory of epub format ebooks. Thanks in advance, Rob Borland

05-24-2025, 05:25 PM	#3
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,359 Karma: 78877538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	[s]The standard advice is DONT PLACE YOUR CALIBRE LIBRARY IN MY DOCUMENTS. In fact I think (but am probably wrong) that calibre will prevent you from placing it there.[/s] I was totally wrong. On recollection I think it's Desktop that calibre prevents one using for the library. Last edited by PeterT; 05-25-2025 at 11:15 AM.

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05-24-2025, 05:00 PM	#2
dunhill Guru Posts: 875 Karma: 409970 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Device: moon+ reader, kindle paperwhite	If you are forgetful about backups, I recommend the Backup Configuration Folder plugin.

05-24-2025, 05:37 PM	#4
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,605 Karma: 7511185 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: none	Never used Windows File History. Only occasionally I do backups with FreeFileSync to an external HDD, and a bat script to back up the config folder on demand just when I sense it might be useful. Main library path is c:\mylib.

05-25-2025, 03:30 AM	#9
rborland Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	I appreciate the useful comments above. I share users' views of One Drive, I never use and have uninstalled it. By contrast I find File History very useful. I have configured Calibre Library in Documents and will share any problems I experience. Regards, Rob

05-25-2025, 11:17 AM	#11
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,932 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	As BR pointed out. A deleted book removes BOTH the book and the DB Entry in the Library. Using the OS (backup restore) can't make the DB entry and partially damages the Library integrity. Always ADD these kinds of corrections BACK thru the normal Add Books. Unless you have caused Calibre to update the books EMBEDDED metadata, that may be stale. If your backup maintains the Library folder structure info, there should be a companion metadata.opf and cover.jpg Open that folder and DRAG only the OPF into Calibre Library view (A drag and Drop Add), That will make all the DB entries that were current at the time of deletion and bring the book and cover back.