How to backup and restore libraries, settings, and plugins - Page 2

BetterRed · 02-21-2026, 09:19 PM

Q. Why do I backup anything?
A. So that I can restore something that broke.

Q. Who or what is most like to break something?
A. Me.

Q. What kind of something are you most likely to break?
A. A single format file, a cover, a book.

Q. Can you restore any of those from a calibre library Export archive?
A. No I can't.

Q. How about the calibre configuration folder… arguably it's more precious that your libraries?
A. Nope… not even that.

BR
.

JSWolf · Yesterday, 07:52 AM

My suggestion is to use FreeFileSync to backup your calibre settings and libraries. By using freeFileSync, you only have to copy what's new and what's changed. And by using FreefileSync, you can copy anything you need/want from the backup.

The plugins are in the settings directory.

theducks · Yesterday, 12:59 PM

↑ ↑ ↑ ✔
Freefilesync allows the task to have/use multiple PATHS. So one path is the Library and the other is the config folder (that includes the plugins and their USER settings)
(Libraries can also have specific PI settings included).
FWIW it takes longer to find what needs updating than do that. Still is way faster than a FULL backup.

02-21-2026, 09:19 PM	#16
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,394 Karma: 31000056 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Q. Why do I backup anything? A. So that I can restore something that broke. Q. Who or what is most like to break something? A. Me. Q. What kind of something are you most likely to break? A. A single format file, a cover, a book. Q. Can you restore any of those from a calibre library Export archive? A. No I can't. Q. How about the calibre configuration folder… arguably it's more precious that your libraries? A. Nope… not even that. BR . Last edited by BetterRed; 02-21-2026 at 09:22 PM.

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Yesterday, 07:52 AM	#17
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 82,146 Karma: 150871427 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My suggestion is to use FreeFileSync to backup your calibre settings and libraries. By using freeFileSync, you only have to copy what's new and what's changed. And by using FreefileSync, you can copy anything you need/want from the backup. The plugins are in the settings directory.

Yesterday, 12:59 PM	#18
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,533 Karma: 62543878 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	↑ ↑ ↑ ✔ Freefilesync allows the task to have/use multiple PATHS. So one path is the Library and the other is the config folder (that includes the plugins and their USER settings) (Libraries can also have specific PI settings included). FWIW it takes longer to find what needs updating than do that. Still is way faster than a FULL backup.

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