Transferring settings between versions and computers

DaySleeper · 02-14-2023, 11:53 PM

I am currently using Calibre 5.7.2 portable on Windows 7.1. I am configuring a new computer running Windows 10. I have tentatively installed Calibre 6.12.0 on the new computer. My question:

I've configured my 5.7.2 copy with various plug-ins, column customizations, news recipies, etc. What is the easiest way to copy those settings to the new version on the new computer? One possibility I've considered is to uninstall the 6.12.0 on the new computer, copy over the 5.7.2 portable installation from the old computer, copy the library from the old location to the location I've set aside in the new computer and tell the copied 5.7.2 installation where the library is located (it's not in the default location). THEN, follow the prompt to update to 6.12.0 or later, if there's a later one available when I do this. Would my customizations carry over in this scenario?

Or, is there an easier way - maybe a file or folder I can copy from the old to the new?

Otherwise, I'd have to do it the hard way: run the two side-by-side and see how the old one is set up & apply those changes to the new one. Since the old machine isn't going anywhere, I can always pull it up for reference in case I miss something, but I'd rather not have to do this the hard way.

Any advice would be appreciated!

BetterRed · 02-15-2023, 12:36 AM

See How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another?

BR

DaySleeper · 02-15-2023, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

See How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another?

BR

That only applies to non-portable versions. I am using a portable version that has all my customizations, so the settings live somewhere in my portable Calibre files, and the instructions on the page to which you directed me say that it doesn't work that way in the portable version (likewise when I try to do it, it gives me an error message to that effect). There is a folder called Calibre Settings there, and I copied the files from that location to my new Calibre Settings folder (which I zipped up first in case I needed to restore them). It seems to have found my news-fetching information and at least some of my plugins (haven't inventoried yet), but not my various layout configurations. I was hoping that there was either something in the Settings folder or some other file that would bring over those settings too. Maybe my best bet is to start by copying over my Calibre 5 portable folder, then upgrading in place.

BetterRed · 02-15-2023, 04:44 AM

So move the portable version lock-stock-and-barrel.

Portable is self- contained. It is intended to be installed on a portable device that can be plugged into the nearest Windows machine. It can be upgraded in place by installing a later version in the same location.

The software is in the Calibre directory, the preferences, plugins, customisations etc are in the Calibre Settings directory, and the 'books' are in the Calibre Library directory. The three executables (calibre-portable.exe, ebook-edit-portable.exe, and ebook-viewer-portable.exe) impose the portable environment.

I assume you have Calibre Portable installed on an internal drive of your computers? If that's true --- why?

BR

DaySleeper · 02-15-2023, 06:07 AM

I copied it over, but want to put the library in a different location. The new computer has a 1TB SSD drive, but I am only putting portable programs (not data) on its 2nd partition; data (which gets written & re-written a lot, which shortens the life of an SSD) goes elsewhere to the extent possible (in this case, a larger, regular hard drive). Non-portable programs go on the C: partition of the SSD drive. I keep that as small as possible to keep disk-image backups smaller. Everything else can be backed up with file-backups, incrementals, etc.

As to why portable on a desktop, I just find portable installations easier to manage when they are available and when I don't lose any important features by doing so. I can also copy everything to a truly portable location if I decide to travel with it. In that regard, maybe it would be better to put everything - program and library - on the hard drive instead of the SSD, which would make the portability more straightforward.

Anyway, I also want the newer Calibre on the newer computer (old one only supports up to 5). Copying just the settings folder over didn't take care of the GUI configuration. I surmise that the newer version wasn't fully compatible with the settings in the older version's setting folder. I ended up - but still haven't finalized - copying over the old computer's version, then telling it to update to the latest version. The update install seemed to know how to use/convert the older version's settings folder. The UI still doesn't look the same (for example, custom columns are missing), but I haven't copied over the library yet because I'm still working on it on the old computer. I don't know if that will make any difference or I'll have to do the custom columns and anything else left over manually. My intent is to cut over to mainly using the new computer soon - but I'm not quite there yet. I don't plan to add books to Calibre on the old computer once I have it all set up on the new one.

So any insights on why the column customizations (and possibly some other things, as I haven't checked everything) didn't survive?

kovidgoyal · 02-15-2023, 06:15 AM

Simply copy the entire portable folder dont try to do surgery on it. If and when you want to upgrade upgrade on your new computer just as you would have on the old one.

BetterRed · 02-15-2023, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaySleeper

<snip>.

So any insights on why the column customizations (and possibly some other things, as I haven't checked everything) didn't survive?

Custom columns along with other column related settings, including those used by various plugins, are in the library database that was open when you created them.

BR

theducks · 02-15-2023, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaySleeper

I copied it over, but want to put the library in a different location. The new computer has a 1TB SSD drive, but I am only putting portable programs (not data) on its 2nd partition; data (which gets written & re-written a lot, which shortens the life of an SSD) goes elsewhere to the extent possible (in this case, a larger, regular hard drive). Non-portable programs go on the C: partition of the SSD drive. I keep that as small as possible to keep disk-image backups smaller. Everything else can be backed up with file-backups, incrementals, etc.
<snip>

Portable is designed to NOT BE SPLIT (self contained).
Portable CAN be used to TEMPORARILY access any Library not included with Portable structure. It just won't remember that view after the session.

02-14-2023, 11:53 PM	#1
DaySleeper Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 5532 Join Date: Jul 2017 Device: MoonReader+ Android app on Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite and otherst	Transferring settings between versions and computers I am currently using Calibre 5.7.2 portable on Windows 7.1. I am configuring a new computer running Windows 10. I have tentatively installed Calibre 6.12.0 on the new computer. My question: I've configured my 5.7.2 copy with various plug-ins, column customizations, news recipies, etc. What is the easiest way to copy those settings to the new version on the new computer? One possibility I've considered is to uninstall the 6.12.0 on the new computer, copy over the 5.7.2 portable installation from the old computer, copy the library from the old location to the location I've set aside in the new computer and tell the copied 5.7.2 installation where the library is located (it's not in the default location). THEN, follow the prompt to update to 6.12.0 or later, if there's a later one available when I do this. Would my customizations carry over in this scenario? Or, is there an easier way - maybe a file or folder I can copy from the old to the new? Otherwise, I'd have to do it the hard way: run the two side-by-side and see how the old one is set up & apply those changes to the new one. Since the old machine isn't going anywhere, I can always pull it up for reference in case I miss something, but I'd rather not have to do this the hard way. Any advice would be appreciated!

02-15-2023, 04:44 AM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,653 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	So move the portable version lock-stock-and-barrel. Portable is self- contained. It is intended to be installed on a portable device that can be plugged into the nearest Windows machine. It can be upgraded in place by installing a later version in the same location. The software is in the Calibre directory, the preferences, plugins, customisations etc are in the Calibre Settings directory, and the 'books' are in the Calibre Library directory. The three executables (calibre-portable.exe, ebook-edit-portable.exe, and ebook-viewer-portable.exe) impose the portable environment. I assume you have Calibre Portable installed on an internal drive of your computers? If that's true --- why? BR Last edited by BetterRed; 02-15-2023 at 04:54 AM.

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02-15-2023, 12:36 AM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,653 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	See How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another? BR

02-15-2023, 06:07 AM	#5
DaySleeper Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 5532 Join Date: Jul 2017 Device: MoonReader+ Android app on Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite and otherst	I copied it over, but want to put the library in a different location. The new computer has a 1TB SSD drive, but I am only putting portable programs (not data) on its 2nd partition; data (which gets written & re-written a lot, which shortens the life of an SSD) goes elsewhere to the extent possible (in this case, a larger, regular hard drive). Non-portable programs go on the C: partition of the SSD drive. I keep that as small as possible to keep disk-image backups smaller. Everything else can be backed up with file-backups, incrementals, etc. As to why portable on a desktop, I just find portable installations easier to manage when they are available and when I don't lose any important features by doing so. I can also copy everything to a truly portable location if I decide to travel with it. In that regard, maybe it would be better to put everything - program and library - on the hard drive instead of the SSD, which would make the portability more straightforward. Anyway, I also want the newer Calibre on the newer computer (old one only supports up to 5). Copying just the settings folder over didn't take care of the GUI configuration. I surmise that the newer version wasn't fully compatible with the settings in the older version's setting folder. I ended up - but still haven't finalized - copying over the old computer's version, then telling it to update to the latest version. The update install seemed to know how to use/convert the older version's settings folder. The UI still doesn't look the same (for example, custom columns are missing), but I haven't copied over the library yet because I'm still working on it on the old computer. I don't know if that will make any difference or I'll have to do the custom columns and anything else left over manually. My intent is to cut over to mainly using the new computer soon - but I'm not quite there yet. I don't plan to add books to Calibre on the old computer once I have it all set up on the new one. So any insights on why the column customizations (and possibly some other things, as I haven't checked everything) didn't survive?

02-15-2023, 06:15 AM	#6
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,240 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Simply copy the entire portable folder dont try to do surgery on it. If and when you want to upgrade upgrade on your new computer just as you would have on the old one.

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