Portable - Config Backup Problems

BetterRed · 01-23-2026, 07:20 PM

Moved from ==>> Backup configuration folder(s)

Windows 10 Pro, calibre portable 8.nn.n

Plugin is not including the content of the Calibre Portable\Calibre Settings subdirectories - except caches?

Click image for larger version

Name: settings and backup.jpg
Views: 20
Size: 413.7 KB
ID: 220467

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Name: caches.jpg
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Size: 55.8 KB
ID: 220468

Tested in 8.0.0 and 8.16.2. Was OK in 7.26

I only discovered it when I needed to restore settings in my 'testing' of shelf view beta.

Added: it's OK in installed calibre 8.

BR

DNSB · 01-23-2026, 07:54 PM

Odd. My calibre portable install of 8.99.11 seems to save the backup. Admittedly, I don't do much with that install other than limited testing.

BetterRed · 01-23-2026, 08:57 PM

I have 3 installs of calibre 8 portable - 8.0.0 (fresh download/install today), 8.16.2 and 8.99.11 - the backups of all three have empty sub-directories.

If I create a zip of Calibre Settings with Windows, WinRAR, or 7zip the subdirectories are not empty. And my installed instance is OK too…and its not even in the 'usual' place.

It's something in Settings itself - I just installed a fresh 8.00, added this PI and it's OK…

BR

BetterRed · 01-23-2026, 10:01 PM

I added the other plugins I use - and its OK.

Not going to bother with doing any more digging, I don't use Portable on my 'real' libraries… it can go through to the keeper.

BR

BetterRed · Yesterday, 08:30 PM

I might have found the cause:

Permission denied: 'D:\\Calibre\\Portables\\Version 8 current\\Calibre Settings\\caches\\aa\\tmpahga2kab\\tdir-lock'

Click image for larger version

Name: Backup settings problem.jpg
Views: 10
Size: 486.7 KB
ID: 220488

calibre creates the file, the D: drive is not the system drive, it's where I keep all my local data. With calibre closed I was able to delete the caches folder without using brute force.

It was recreated by calibre when I ran it and the same error is reported in debug - but not by the plugin

For the installed calibre the config/caches folder is empty.

BR

kovidgoyal · Yesterday, 08:34 PM

Thats the folder used for automatic adding.

BetterRed · Yesterday, 10:59 PM

Well caught, sir… down leg side too

I don't use Autoadd, there was a folder set from ancient times when I thought I might.

Thanks - it was bothering me.

BR

01-23-2026, 07:20 PM	#1
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,208 Karma: 30317706 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Portable - Config Backup Problems Moved from ==>> Backup configuration folder(s) Windows 10 Pro, calibre portable 8.nn.n Plugin is not including the content of the Calibre Portable\Calibre Settings subdirectories - except caches? Tested in 8.0.0 and 8.16.2. Was OK in 7.26 I only discovered it when I needed to restore settings in my 'testing' of shelf view beta. Added: it's OK in installed calibre 8. BR Last edited by BetterRed; 01-23-2026 at 09:01 PM.

01-23-2026, 07:54 PM	#2
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 49,821 Karma: 176799834 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Odd. My calibre portable install of 8.99.11 seems to save the backup. Admittedly, I don't do much with that install other than limited testing. Attached Thumbnails

01-23-2026, 08:57 PM	#3
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,208 Karma: 30317706 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I have 3 installs of calibre 8 portable - 8.0.0 (fresh download/install today), 8.16.2 and 8.99.11 - the backups of all three have empty sub-directories. If I create a zip of Calibre Settings with Windows, WinRAR, or 7zip the subdirectories are not empty. And my installed instance is OK too…and its not even in the 'usual' place. It's something in Settings itself - I just installed a fresh 8.00, added this PI and it's OK… BR Last edited by BetterRed; 01-23-2026 at 09:03 PM.

Yesterday, 08:30 PM	#5
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,208 Karma: 30317706 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I might have found the cause: Permission denied: 'D:\\Calibre\\Portables\\Version 8 current\\Calibre Settings\\caches\\aa\\tmpahga2kab\\tdir-lock' calibre creates the file, the D: drive is not the system drive, it's where I keep all my local data. With calibre closed I was able to delete the caches folder without using brute force. It was recreated by calibre when I ran it and the same error is reported in debug - but not by the plugin For the installed calibre the config/caches folder is empty. BR

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01-23-2026, 10:01 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,208 Karma: 30317706 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I added the other plugins I use - and its OK. Not going to bother with doing any more digging, I don't use Portable on my 'real' libraries… it can go through to the keeper. BR

Yesterday, 08:34 PM	#6
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,911 Karma: 29228280 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Thats the folder used for automatic adding.

Yesterday, 10:59 PM	#7
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,208 Karma: 30317706 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Well caught, sir… down leg side too I don't use Autoadd, there was a folder set from ancient times when I thought I might. Thanks - it was bothering me. BR

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