Easiest way to move library to new PC

pypeke · 07-21-2026, 05:11 PM

What is the best way to move Callibre library and keep HDDs synced?

Old PC Windows 10 - "export" Callibre library to external HDD. 5 files.

HDD - "Import" Callibre library to new Windows 11 laptop. All books are there.

Then, I purchased some books from B&N when I found a 10 year old B&N gift card. The new books are now in my Calibre library on my OLD PC since it had the old Nook app on it. They are not on my new laptop yet.

Now, I have some questions:

1. Can I use Export on Callibre to export ONLY those NEW books to the HDD then import them on the new laptop?

2. Or will EXPORT on Callibre choose ALL of the Callibre books instead of just the new books? Will this result in duplicates being added to my library on the new PC?

3. What is the best way to keep two HDDs synced? One external HDD will go to a relative's house, and the second HDD will go into my fireproof safe. I do not trust "Cloud Storage". Do I use the same Export process to keep the HDDs synced? Or can I click and drag the libraries, because only a few books at a time will be added. I don't know how to keep duplicates out of the HDDs. How would I remember which books to add to the HDDs?

4. Is there a better way to move libraries and keep the HDDs synced? I have never used an external HDD with more than 1 computer.

TIA

Sirtel · 07-21-2026, 05:44 PM

No, you cannot export only a few books.

The best way to keep your backup libraries synced is to use FreeFileSync in mirror mode (your active library on the left and the backup on the right). Take care that the mirror mode has been selected, not two-way sync. This will only copy over the changes you've made since last time.

theducks · 07-21-2026, 07:02 PM

Export is an FULL export, including plugins and settings.
Import allows the choice of Which Library (if you had more than 1 on the Quick switch list)

Can your new PC see the files on your old PC?
This tip breaks the rule about shared/network drives Do not make any changes to the remote Library.

On the New PC: Create/switch Use existing:<old PC Library>: Search for what you want to transfer: Select all (search results): Right click: Copy to Library <the one on the new PC>

I found this works reliably on my WIRED network. WiFi connection? I have no clue how reliable.

Sirtel · 07-21-2026, 08:05 PM

If the computers aren't visible to each other on your home network, then the easiest way to transfer a few books is to use Save to Disk to save them to a USB stick/flash drive and add them from there to calibre on your other PC.

JSWolf · 07-27-2026, 11:37 AM

There is a very simple solution.

Network the two computers. Use FreeFileSync. Then you can sync the changes from one library to another. Both libraries will then be identical. The problem comes if you make changes to both libraries instead of just one. But if you make changes on one library, you can sync to the other no problem. Then you can make changes on either library and then sync.

theducks · 07-27-2026, 12:25 PM

That works.
The issue is you must be diligent and precise, to keep the updates exact.
Send unit 2 update to unit 1 that also has a pending update to send an you lose 1...poof.
FFS is fine as long as you ONLY to adds/changes on the Master,

PeterT · 07-27-2026, 05:22 PM

I tend to keep one computer (Windows 11) as my master calibre. Other machines (Chromebook and Windows machine in media room) I synchronize from the master using the command line rclone sync command.

If I want to make changes to calibre I either use Remote Desktop to control the master PC or wander to the machine and make them there. Of course nothing prevents me from directly making changes on the other cloned libraries but the next invocation of rclone will overwrite those changes.

I also do have an autoadd folder on the master PC so I can easily copy content to it from other devices.

07-21-2026, 05:11 PM	#1
pypeke Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 202 Join Date: Jul 2015 Device: Kobo Colour and Sage	Easiest way to move library to new PC What is the best way to move Callibre library and keep HDDs synced? Old PC Windows 10 - "export" Callibre library to external HDD. 5 files. HDD - "Import" Callibre library to new Windows 11 laptop. All books are there. Then, I purchased some books from B&N when I found a 10 year old B&N gift card. The new books are now in my Calibre library on my OLD PC since it had the old Nook app on it. They are not on my new laptop yet. Now, I have some questions: 1. Can I use Export on Callibre to export ONLY those NEW books to the HDD then import them on the new laptop? 2. Or will EXPORT on Callibre choose ALL of the Callibre books instead of just the new books? Will this result in duplicates being added to my library on the new PC? 3. What is the best way to keep two HDDs synced? One external HDD will go to a relative's house, and the second HDD will go into my fireproof safe. I do not trust "Cloud Storage". Do I use the same Export process to keep the HDDs synced? Or can I click and drag the libraries, because only a few books at a time will be added. I don't know how to keep duplicates out of the HDDs. How would I remember which books to add to the HDDs? 4. Is there a better way to move libraries and keep the HDDs synced? I have never used an external HDD with more than 1 computer. TIA Last edited by pypeke; 07-21-2026 at 05:20 PM.

07-27-2026, 11:37 AM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 84,343 Karma: 153744555 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There is a very simple solution. Network the two computers. Use FreeFileSync. Then you can sync the changes from one library to another. Both libraries will then be identical. The problem comes if you make changes to both libraries instead of just one. But if you make changes on one library, you can sync to the other no problem. Then you can make changes on either library and then sync. Last edited by JSWolf; Yesterday at 07:20 PM.

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07-21-2026, 05:44 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,507 Karma: 248046301 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	No, you cannot export only a few books. The best way to keep your backup libraries synced is to use FreeFileSync in mirror mode (your active library on the left and the backup on the right). Take care that the mirror mode has been selected, not two-way sync. This will only copy over the changes you've made since last time.

07-21-2026, 07:02 PM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,909 Karma: 64184592 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Export is an FULL export, including plugins and settings. Import allows the choice of Which Library (if you had more than 1 on the Quick switch list) Can your new PC see the files on your old PC? This tip breaks the rule about shared/network drives Do not make any changes to the remote Library. On the New PC: Create/switch Use existing:<old PC Library>: Search for what you want to transfer: Select all (search results): Right click: Copy to Library <the one on the new PC> I found this works reliably on my WIRED network. WiFi connection? I have no clue how reliable.

07-21-2026, 08:05 PM	#4
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,507 Karma: 248046301 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	If the computers aren't visible to each other on your home network, then the easiest way to transfer a few books is to use Save to Disk to save them to a USB stick/flash drive and add them from there to calibre on your other PC.

07-27-2026, 12:25 PM	#6
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,909 Karma: 64184592 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	That works. The issue is you must be diligent and precise, to keep the updates exact. Send unit 2 update to unit 1 that also has a pending update to send an you lose 1...poof. FFS is fine as long as you ONLY to adds/changes on the Master,

07-27-2026, 05:22 PM	#7
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,046 Karma: 83121446 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I tend to keep one computer (Windows 11) as my master calibre. Other machines (Chromebook and Windows machine in media room) I synchronize from the master using the command line rclone sync command. If I want to make changes to calibre I either use Remote Desktop to control the master PC or wander to the machine and make them there. Of course nothing prevents me from directly making changes on the other cloned libraries but the next invocation of rclone will overwrite those changes. I also do have an autoadd folder on the master PC so I can easily copy content to it from other devices.