Camoufox download loop while downloading metadata

Sarmat89 · 11-06-2026, 12:14 PM

As long as the metadata download window is opened, Calibre 9.18 does the following weird stuff:
1. It downloads a file into ...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\camoufox<XXXXXXXX>-download
2. It tries to unpack it into various subfolders like ...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\camoufox<XXXXXXXX>-install\unpacked\fonts
3. It removes everything, and starts with step 1.

There is no any diagnostics available in the log.

When the window is closed, the activity stops, everything is deleted except the following empty file:
...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\metadata.json

kovidgoyal · 11-06-2026, 12:45 PM

does nto reproduce for me. maybe try rebooting in safe more with networking, run a metadata download socamoufox is installed and then resume normal operation

kovidgoyal · 11-06-2026, 12:57 PM

Also the disk you have calibre portable installed on needs about 4GB free space for the download and unpack and install steps.

Sarmat89 · 11-06-2026, 01:36 PM

Could you add the free space check? It's just won't do to keep downloading stuff in vane.

kovidgoyal · 11-06-2026, 08:09 PM

https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibr...e4bc459dbbd937

buellie · Today, 03:35 PM

9.18 adds start menu items again
9.18 and previous versions add registry entries
9.18 and previous version add to c:\windows\users\data\ local and roaming

i dont need to prove anything.
a portable version is supposed to be self contained hence the word portable
must be no in your vocabulary in India

buellie · Today, 03:57 PM

now you cant even remove it from the start menu OmG

DNSB · Today, 07:10 PM

I tried a portable install of calibre 9.18 to a directory named Calibre Portable on my D for data drive. When run standalone (no source), camoufox downloaded to D:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\Calibre\dbin\camoufox. No start menu item was created. I removed the camoufox start menu item from C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs before starting the test install and it was not restored during the calibre 9.18 portable install and metadata download. See the attached image.

The batch file I used for testing simply contained:

Code:

set CALIBRE_DEVELOP_FROM=""
"D:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\calibre-portable.exe"

I repeated the test on a clean VM and the result was the same. Camoufox was downloaded in the calibre portable directory and no start menu item was created. Since this was a clean VM, I did not need to change the CALIBRE-DEVELOP_FROM variable.

I suspect this of being a PEBKAC issue.

BetterRed · Today, 07:57 PM

My install of calibre portable 9.18 does not have camoufox:

Click image for larger version

Name: Screenshot 2026-11-09 104806.jpg
Views: 3
Size: 356.1 KB
ID: 227275

The only time I've seen it is in the calibre portable 9.17.100 Preview edition:

Click image for larger version

Name: Screenshot 2026-11-09 105519.jpg
Views: 3
Size: 326.3 KB
ID: 227276

But nothing in startmenu.

BR

DNSB · Today, 08:12 PM

Have you tried download metadata from Amazon or Google with 9.18? AFAIA, those are two builtin plugins that will trigger a camoufox download.

11-06-2026, 12:14 PM	#1
Sarmat89 Fanatic Posts: 564 Karma: 2268308 Join Date: Nov 2015 Device: none	Camoufox download loop while downloading metadata As long as the metadata download window is opened, Calibre 9.18 does the following weird stuff: 1. It downloads a file into ...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\camoufox<XXXXXXXX>-download 2. It tries to unpack it into various subfolders like ...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\camoufox<XXXXXXXX>-install\unpacked\fonts 3. It removes everything, and starts with step 1. There is no any diagnostics available in the log. When the window is closed, the activity stops, everything is deleted except the following empty file: ...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\metadata.json

Today, 07:10 PM	#8
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 55,670 Karma: 182544312 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I tried a portable install of calibre 9.18 to a directory named Calibre Portable on my D for data drive. When run standalone (no source), camoufox downloaded to D:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\Calibre\dbin\camoufox. No start menu item was created. I removed the camoufox start menu item from C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs before starting the test install and it was not restored during the calibre 9.18 portable install and metadata download. See the attached image. The batch file I used for testing simply contained: Code: set CALIBRE_DEVELOP_FROM="" "D:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\calibre-portable.exe" I repeated the test on a clean VM and the result was the same. Camoufox was downloaded in the calibre portable directory and no start menu item was created. Since this was a clean VM, I did not need to change the CALIBRE-DEVELOP_FROM variable. I suspect this of being a PEBKAC issue. Attached Thumbnails

Today, 07:57 PM	#9
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,906 Karma: 34252744 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	My install of calibre portable 9.18 does not have camoufox: The only time I've seen it is in the calibre portable 9.17.100 Preview edition: But nothing in startmenu. BR

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11-06-2026, 12:45 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 46,596 Karma: 29634066 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	does nto reproduce for me. maybe try rebooting in safe more with networking, run a metadata download socamoufox is installed and then resume normal operation

11-06-2026, 12:57 PM	#3
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 46,596 Karma: 29634066 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Also the disk you have calibre portable installed on needs about 4GB free space for the download and unpack and install steps.

11-06-2026, 01:36 PM	#4
Sarmat89 Fanatic Posts: 564 Karma: 2268308 Join Date: Nov 2015 Device: none	Could you add the free space check? It's just won't do to keep downloading stuff in vane.

11-06-2026, 08:09 PM	#5
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 46,596 Karma: 29634066 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibr...e4bc459dbbd937

Today, 03:35 PM	#6
buellie Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	9.18 adds start menu items again 9.18 and previous versions add registry entries 9.18 and previous version add to c:\windows\users\data\ local and roaming i dont need to prove anything. a portable version is supposed to be self contained hence the word portable must be no in your vocabulary in India

Today, 03:57 PM	#7
buellie Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	now you cant even remove it from the start menu OmG

Today, 08:12 PM	#10
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 55,670 Karma: 182544312 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Have you tried download metadata from Amazon or Google with 9.18? AFAIA, those are two builtin plugins that will trigger a camoufox download.