9 replies to this topic

[bbrener]

There is a really, really simple way to move (relocate) the Evernote database in Windows. It took me a while to figure out but seems like people are making it too complicated.
If you want your database on a stick; or on a data drive or relocate due to storage contraints there is an easy way if you are willing to edit the registry. Do the following:
* Close Evernote
* Copy or restore your database with any standard tool to a desired location (keep the old data as a precaution)
* Open Regedit and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareEvernote
* Export that key as a backup in case things go wrong.
* There are 3 keys involved:

EvernotePath
AutoUpdateCacheCurrentXML
AutoUpdateCacheCurrentRN

* Modify them to your new directory
*Restart Evernote

Voila!

Note that this method has allowed me to use the same Evernote database in 2 different User Profiles on the same PC. I switch backwards and forwards seamlessly.

Usual caveats about editing the registry etc. This method enables you to go bak to the way you were if there is an issue.

[BurgersNFries]

Actually, an even easier way (Windows) is tools/options/general tab/change. Done. No regedit required.

[bbrener]

I think that may be incorrect. Did you actually try it? That's why it took me a long time. That did not work for me.
1)That seems to be for local files only. It does not seem to repoint the whole database. You can test it by creating a new windows profile and starting Evernote in it. See what happens. Soon as you logon, it syncs to the user\appdata\evernote\databases directory. That might work when you set up your account the very first time. I think that's what I did initially, but after that I had an online account with data in it.
2)If you then try and change it in that tab, it tells you it may overwrite data. I was not willing to risk it. I think it might take the sync'd data from online and overwrite the old database that has local folders in it. So my way is safer.

If it was that easy, why all these posts about backing up and moving data to new locations or new PC's? I was trying to share one database among multiple user accounts in Windows and I had to edit the registry to accomplish that. And I did not risk loing data.

[BurgersNFries]

I think that may be incorrect. Did you actually try it?

It is correct. Yes, I've tried it. I've had my EN database on alternate drives for over 2 years & used this method.

1)That seems to be for local files only. It does not seem to repoint the whole database.

I don't know what you mean by differentiating "local files" from the database. This process moves the entire database and any "local files" to the location selected by the user. The exceptions (as usual) are any files necessary by the OS that are normally stored on & remain on C/boot drive.

The only posts I've seen by people having problems with this is either users trying to use a networked drive (not supported) and/or behind a corporate firewall/proxy.

I've switched Windows computers & netbooks enough that I'm pretty solid about how to move/point to a database in a different-from-default location. This painless method works.

[bbrener]

Thanks. By local files I meant those marked as 'local' and not sync'd.
So how do you actually go about moving the files or repointing them?
When you set up Evernote it asks if you are a new user or have an account. When you say 'have an account', it immediately seems to sync to default location. Can you set it up so that it does not do that and before first sync and point at the old data in an alternate drive?
My present issue is to repoint and not to move so I can point 2 Evernotes (diiferent users) on the same PC to the same data and use the same account. It sems to be working with the registry update above though.
I will shortly be moving to a new build. How do I stop the same thing from happening and simply point at the data on the alternate drive?
Much appreciated.

[BurgersNFries]

Thanks. By local files I meant those marked as 'local' and not sync'd.

It's helpful to use correct terminology when asking for/giving out advice. It seems you are referring to local notebooks. All notebooks for the same user/account, local or sync'd are stored in the same, single database.

So how do you actually go about moving the files or repointing them?

As I posted above.

My present issue is to repoint and not to move so I can point 2 Evernotes (diiferent users) on the same PC to the same data and use the same account. It sems to be working with the registry update above though.
I will shortly be moving to a new build. How do I stop the same thing from happening and simply point at the data on the alternate drive?
Much appreciated.

I've never done that - two users, same PC, same EN database. You'll have to dink with that yourself. Suggestion: Keep a good copy of your exb file. Off the top of my head, once I got the first user up & running, I'd make a copy of their exb file. Then install EN for the second user & move their EN db to the desired location. This will probably overwrite the first user's db. But after exiting EN (as the 2nd user), copy the true/valid/good db backup (suggested earlier) over the empty exb file in the desired location. Seems like this should work but I can't attest to that. Hope this makes sense.

[bbrener]

Yes, thanks. That makes senses. I have used that trick before - and I back my whole data drive every night with Acronis.
I have dinked with it and I thought it was working but a notebook I create in one is not seen in the other although that notebook notes are in 'all notes'. So something strange. It happens even if one user is not logged on so it is not a cache thing.
BTW, any idea what the .backup files in the databasesbackup directory are. They are all PDf's.

[Owyn]

The databases are stored in user.exb plus ancillary user.* files in the configured Evernote databases folder.

e.g. user1.exb, user2.exb, etc.

When you sign out from Windows client and sign in as a different user then the client actually opens different database files.

[bbrener]

Thanks Owyn. However I have 1 Evernote user and 2 windows user accounts. So only one Evernote database.
Seems as if I am careful to keep only 1 windows user logged on, then it works fine.

[BurgersNFries]

Thanks Owyn. However I have 1 Evernote user and 2 windows user accounts. So only one Evernote database.
Seems as if I am careful to keep only 1 windows user logged on, then it works fine.

Out of curiosity, why do you have two Windows user accounts on the same machine that are using the same EN account? Is this a husband/wife thing?

Another option is to just have one user use the web client.