Change path to Settings.ini

If you are experiencing problems with "Everything", post here for assistance.
Post Reply
David.P
Posts: 197
Joined: Fri May 29, 2020 3:22 pm

Change path to Settings.ini

Post by David.P »

Hello Forum,

I would like to continue using my existing Everything settings and database etc., but I'd like to have the settings, database, etc. stored in a different path.

How do I go about changing the current settings/dadatbase path so that this path is actually used by Everything from now on?
Last edited by David.P on Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:36 am, edited 2 times in total.
void
Developer
Posts: 16683
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Change path to Settings.ini

Post by void »

To run Everything with different profiles, please consider multiple instances.
For example:
Everything.exe -instance "My Alternative Profile"



To specify the Everything settings filename (Everything.ini) when launching Everything, please use the -config command line option:

Everything.exe -config "C:\Everything\My Alternative Everything.ini"

Disable Start on system startup under Tools -> Options -> General
Consider creating a shortcut to
Everything.exe -config "C:\Everything\My Alternative Everything.ini"
in shell:startup



To specify the Everything database filename (Everything.db) when launching Everything, please use the -db command line option:

Everything.exe -db "C:\Everything\My Alternative Everything.db"

If you would like to prevent Everything from rebuilding the database in case of a missing volume, please use the -read-only command line option:

Everything.exe -db "C:\Everything\My Alternative Everything.db" -read-only



To backup your settings and data:
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the General tab on the left.
  • Check Store settings and data in %APPDATA%\Everything.
  • Click OK.
  • From the File menu, click Exit.
  • In Windows Explorer, type in the following address and press ENTER:
    %APPDATA%\Everything
  • Copy the files in this folder to your backup location. (for example: E:\backup\Everything)
  • In Windows Explorer, type in the following address and press ENTER:
    %LOCALAPPDATA%\Everything
  • Copy the Everything.db in this folder to your backup location. (for example: E:\backup\Everything)
  • Restart Everything.


To restore your settings and data:
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the General tab on the left.
  • Check Store settings and data in %APPDATA%\Everything.
  • Click OK.
  • From the File menu, click Exit.
  • In Windows Explorer, type in the following address and press ENTER:
    %APPDATA%\Everything
  • Copy the files from your backup location (for example: E:\backup\Everything) to this folder.
  • In Windows Explorer, type in the following address and press ENTER:
    %LOCALAPPDATA%\Everything
  • Copy the Everything.db from your backup location (for example: E:\backup\Everything) to this folder.
  • Restart Everything.
Note: Please make sure Everything is not running before backing up or restoring your data and/or settings.



To customize your database (Everything.db) location:
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the Indexes tab on the left.
  • To the right of Database location click Browse....
  • Choose a new database location and click OK.
  • Click OK.
David.P
Posts: 197
Joined: Fri May 29, 2020 3:22 pm

Re: Change path to Settings.ini

Post by David.P »

Thanks for the quick reply!

In the meantime, I have unfortunately overwritten my Settings.ini file by mistake.

Everything doesn't happen to have a backup of it's own somewhere?
Last edited by David.P on Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
void
Developer
Posts: 16683
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Change path to Settings.ini

Post by void »

No.

Unfortunately, Everything does not make automatic backups of your Everything.ini
David.P
Posts: 197
Joined: Fri May 29, 2020 3:22 pm

Re: Change path to Settings.ini

Post by David.P »

Ok thank you. I will check if one of my numerous backup plans has created a copy of it somewhere.

Regarding the path to Settings.ini etc.:

So there is no direct/simple way, e.g. in the Everything options, to have the whole folder with the Settings, Database etc. in a different location than the Everything.exe, apart from the command line option you mentioned?
void
Developer
Posts: 16683
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Change path to Settings.ini

Post by void »

Everything settings and data is stored in either:

1): %APPDATA%\Everything

or

2): the same location as your Everything.exe



This location is determined by the "Store settings and data in %APPDATA%\Everything" option in Tools -> Options -> General.
(this is the app_data setting in your Everything.ini in the same location as your Everything.exe)

There's no option to specify the exact location of your Everything.ini from within the UI.
This must be done with the -config command line option.
David.P
Posts: 197
Joined: Fri May 29, 2020 3:22 pm

Re: Change path to Settings.ini

Post by David.P »

void wrote: Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:47 amThis location is determined by the "Store settings and data in %APPDATA%\Everything" option in Tools -> Options -> General.
Thank you very much! This is exactly what I was looking for.
Post Reply