# Desktop (Win) export collection doesn't export add-ons/local profiles **URL:** \ **Category:** Help\ **Created:** [October 2, 2025, 9:56am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/desktop-win-export-collection-doesnt-export-add-ons-local-profiles/66795 "2025-10-02T09:56:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wheatism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8e7dd6/32.png) [@wheatism](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/wheatism)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 9:56am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/desktop-win-export-collection-doesnt-export-add-ons-local-profiles/66795/1 "2025-10-02T09:56:34Z")
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](https://docs.ankiweb.net/files.html)” - just instead of a flash drive I use a separate partition (i.e. D:) so nothing gets wiped/overwritten? ---
**Author:** ![Anon\_0000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Anon\_0000](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Anon_0000)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/desktop-win-export-collection-doesnt-export-add-ons-local-profiles/66795/2 "2025-10-02T14:49:05Z")
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](https://docs.ankiweb.net/files.html?highlight=file#user-data). ---
**Author:** ![wheatism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8e7dd6/32.png) [@wheatism](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/wheatism)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/desktop-win-export-collection-doesnt-export-add-ons-local-profiles/66795/3 "2025-10-02T15:07:07Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/desktop-win-export-collection-doesnt-export-add-ons-local-profiles/66795/4 "2025-10-02T17:01:51Z")
> [@wheatism](#): > > i’m gonna create a completely separate portable install for testing decks and add-ons 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](https://docs.ankiweb.net/files.html#startup-options) That – or updated the environment variable – will also work for storing your primary `Anki2` on your D-drive where it won’t get wiped. > [@wheatism](#): > > Safest simple option for my scenario seems to be to script a backup of the AppData/Roaming/Anki2 folder and restore when needed. Make sure your script doesn’t run when you are using Anki. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/desktop-win-export-collection-doesnt-export-add-ons-local-profiles/66795/5 "2025-11-01T17:02:12Z")
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