Recover Calibre config settings from XP?

wendy5 · 05-22-2014, 12:47 PM

I just upgraded my desktop from XP to Windows 7, but forgot to save my Calibre settings. I installed the program in a separate partition, so I still have my libraries and plug-ins, but Calibre is now looking to the new Win7 Users folder for the settings.

I searched my old windows backup folder but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know the default location for these settings in XP? Maybe I can still retrieve them. I had customized recipes along with my Kindle email settings. Thanks.

theducks · 05-22-2014, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendy5

I just upgraded my desktop from XP to Windows 7, but forgot to save my Calibre settings. I installed the program in a separate partition, so I still have my libraries and plug-ins, but Calibre is now looking to the new Win7 Users folder for the settings.

I searched my old windows backup folder but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know the default location for these settings in XP? Maybe I can still retrieve them. I had customized recipes along with my Kindle email settings. Thanks.

Copy the Calibre configuration folder.

If XP still runs you can use Preferences:Misc.. Open configuration to locate it (hidden by windows defaults)

wendy5 · 05-22-2014, 02:03 PM

I no longer have Calibre on XP to determine where it stored my settings. I need to know where Calibre normally stores settings on XP. Perhaps someone running XP could let me know?

aleyx · 05-22-2014, 02:08 PM

On XP, the settings of all well-written apps are in c:\documents and settings\<user>\Application Data. There's a Calibre folder there, that you can copy on your W7 system in %appdata%.

EDIT: note that the Application Data folder is usually hidden. Either type the address directly in Explorer, or display hidden folders in Explorer's Folders settings.

wendy5 · 05-22-2014, 02:29 PM

Thank you! I was afraid of that, because I already looked at that folder that Windows Easy Transfer saved and Calibre is missing. I guess I'll have to recreate all my settings, and then back then up somewhere. Live and learn!

PeterT · 05-22-2014, 02:41 PM

Can't you access the old partition still??

And did you check c:\documents and settings\<user>\Application Data\Roaming ?

I will admit I normally open a command prompt and do my "spelunking" around file systems from the command line.

wendy5 · 05-22-2014, 02:57 PM

I installed Windows 7 over XP on the same partition. My data and programs were on another partition, and I assumed that's where Calibre settings were too. The new Users roaming doesn't have my old config data, maybe because I reinstalled Calibre on Win7 before I realized I needed the old settings. What a mess.

PeterT · 05-22-2014, 03:11 PM

Ah... Gotcha! I had assumed that the new partition referred to the System partition.

It might still be worthwhile opening a command prompt, and looking for some of the files present in the config directory and seeing what can be found.

Code:

cd \
dir global.py /s /p

theducks · 05-22-2014, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendy5

I installed Windows 7 over XP on the same partition. My data and programs were on another partition, and I assumed that's where Calibre settings were too. The new Users roaming doesn't have my old config data, maybe because I reinstalled Calibre on Win7 before I realized I needed the old settings. What a mess.

A Calibre install does not overwrite existing configs

Search your computer for hidden file: gui.json <I think that will be in every calibre installation
That might help find the original folder
Various settings create different files

wendy5 · 05-22-2014, 03:16 PM

PeterT - Thanks so much for posting those instructions. I checked every partition and the only file in the new one - my old settings are gone forever. I'll have to recreate from my notes.

theducks · 05-22-2014, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Ah... Gotcha! I had assumed that the new partition referred to the System partition.

It might still be worthwhile opening a command prompt, and looking for some of the files present in the config directory and seeing what can be found.

Code:

cd \
dir global.py /s /p

Ninja'd again

wendy5 · 05-22-2014, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

A Calibre install does not overwrite existing configs

Search your computer for hidden file: gui.json

Glad to know I didn't accidentally overwrite my old settings, but sadly, this didn't work either. The one folder I didn't back up before upgrading was Doc & Settings - I assumed that Windows Easy Transfer would back up all the application data and I would have to reinstall almost everything anyway. But it only backed up MS, Adobe, and a few others, not Calibre. And I didn't know Calibre used that folder for settings even though it was installed in another partition.

Anyway, I appreciate the fast responses. It's good to know help is a click away!

fidvo · 05-23-2014, 11:32 AM

One thing to keep in mind for the future is that Calibre Portable stores all its settings together with the application. I've never had to worry about losing my settings when updating my OS or moving to a different computer.

Just something to consider.

wendy5 · 05-23-2014, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fidvo

One thing to keep in mind for the future is that Calibre Portable stores all its settings together with the application. I've never had to worry about losing my settings when updating my OS or moving to a different computer.

Just something to consider.

Thanks, that's a great reminder! Of course the day before the OS upgrade I read about Calibre Portable and decided to look into that later. Once I get everything back the way I want, I'll do that.

BetterRed · 05-23-2014, 04:01 PM

@wendy5 - another thing to consider is relocating your configuration settings.

see CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY @ http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cust...ment-variables

I keep mine in the outer folder that contains my libraries. Less chance of them being forgotten if I changed computer or OS. They get backed up with the libraries - which in my case is daily. And when I want to look at something they're in a convenient place.

BR

05-22-2014, 12:47 PM	#1
wendy5 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle Keyboard	Recover Calibre config settings from XP? I just upgraded my desktop from XP to Windows 7, but forgot to save my Calibre settings. I installed the program in a separate partition, so I still have my libraries and plug-ins, but Calibre is now looking to the new Win7 Users folder for the settings. I searched my old windows backup folder but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know the default location for these settings in XP? Maybe I can still retrieve them. I had customized recipes along with my Kindle email settings. Thanks.

05-22-2014, 03:11 PM	#8
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,349 Karma: 78876004 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Ah... Gotcha! I had assumed that the new partition referred to the System partition. It might still be worthwhile opening a command prompt, and looking for some of the files present in the config directory and seeing what can be found. Code: cd \ dir global.py /s /p

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05-22-2014, 02:03 PM	#3
wendy5 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle Keyboard	I no longer have Calibre on XP to determine where it stored my settings. I need to know where Calibre normally stores settings on XP. Perhaps someone running XP could let me know?

05-22-2014, 02:08 PM	#4
aleyx Addict Posts: 250 Karma: 20386 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: France Device: Bookeen Diva, Kobo Clara BW	On XP, the settings of all well-written apps are in c:\documents and settings\<user>\Application Data. There's a Calibre folder there, that you can copy on your W7 system in %appdata%. EDIT: note that the Application Data folder is usually hidden. Either type the address directly in Explorer, or display hidden folders in Explorer's Folders settings.

05-22-2014, 02:29 PM	#5
wendy5 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle Keyboard	Thank you! I was afraid of that, because I already looked at that folder that Windows Easy Transfer saved and Calibre is missing. I guess I'll have to recreate all my settings, and then back then up somewhere. Live and learn!

05-22-2014, 02:41 PM	#6
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,349 Karma: 78876004 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Can't you access the old partition still?? And did you check c:\documents and settings\<user>\Application Data\Roaming ? I will admit I normally open a command prompt and do my "spelunking" around file systems from the command line.

05-22-2014, 02:57 PM	#7
wendy5 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle Keyboard	I installed Windows 7 over XP on the same partition. My data and programs were on another partition, and I assumed that's where Calibre settings were too. The new Users roaming doesn't have my old config data, maybe because I reinstalled Calibre on Win7 before I realized I needed the old settings. What a mess.

05-22-2014, 03:16 PM	#10
wendy5 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle Keyboard	PeterT - Thanks so much for posting those instructions. I checked every partition and the only file in the new one - my old settings are gone forever. I'll have to recreate from my notes.

05-23-2014, 11:32 AM	#13
fidvo Addict Posts: 309 Karma: 1645952 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: none	One thing to keep in mind for the future is that Calibre Portable stores all its settings together with the application. I've never had to worry about losing my settings when updating my OS or moving to a different computer. Just something to consider.

05-23-2014, 04:01 PM	#15
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,648 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	@wendy5 - another thing to consider is relocating your configuration settings. see CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY @ http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cust...ment-variables I keep mine in the outer folder that contains my libraries. Less chance of them being forgotten if I changed computer or OS. They get backed up with the libraries - which in my case is daily. And when I want to look at something they're in a convenient place. BR

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