Desktop (Win) export collection doesn't export add-ons/local profiles

Anki Help
1

Is there a way to backup/export everything from the Windows Desktop client?

I logged in with a sync’d profile and I exported as a collection but it only exported all the decks and default profile. It didn’t include any add-ons either.

I also have additional ‘non-sync’d’ profiles for testing decks/add-ons so I don’t mess with my ‘main’ sync’d profile. None of these local profiles or their decks were included in the export.

I guess I might be an ‘edge case’ but I wipe/restore my laptop frequently as part of my job (testing Windows beta updates etc) so should I just script a backup of the installation folder?

Would backing up the installation folder backup everything and would it then mess with the syncing?

I’d propose:

  1. log in with sync’d profile (i.e. my Ankiweb account)
  2. sync to web
  3. shut down Anki
  4. backup folder (???)
  5. wipe/restore laptop (effectively restoring an old copy of Anki setup)
  6. restore backed up folder from step 4
  7. sync to web

Are there any registry settings or any hidden files anywhere I need to take care of?

[EDIT] - Since on Windows I typically only delete the system partition (C:) and leave normal data separate on another partition (D:) would the setup for portable Anki work if I moved everything to that D: partiton as described in the “Running from a Flash Drive” - just instead of a flash drive I use a separate partition (i.e. D:) so nothing gets wiped/overwritten?

2

All you need to backup is the user data folder. It includes all of your profiles, including their media, review history, settings and others. Also see Managing Files - Anki Manual.

3

Thanks… seems ChatGPT dug up different details on what was included in the export feature. Basically I expected it to include add-ons etc but it doesn’t.

Safest simple option for my scenario seems to be to script a backup of the AppData/Roaming/Anki2 folder and restore when needed.

i’m gonna create a completely separate portable install for testing decks and add-ons and keep my main profile clean/OOTB

4

You don’t need a separate install for that – you can use startup options to select a different Anki2 data folder. Managing Files - Anki Manual

That – or updated the environment variable – will also work for storing your primary Anki2 on your D-drive where it won’t get wiped.

Make sure your script doesn’t run when you are using Anki.