How to transfer settings to different computers?

[therealjd]

I absolutely love the ability to customize Freecommander for display / color / settings.
My question:

Is there an easy way to migrate those settings from one FC XE installation to another?

It would be nice if this stuff could be shared with other users like *theme* files..

[ralfso]

Normally all settings are stored in this folder:
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\FreeCommanderXE\

or in %FcSrcPath%\settings\

You can see the correct path at Help > About > Paths info.

Most settings are stored in the FreeCommander.ini, some in other *.ini-files, the shortcuts in FreeCommander.shc.

You can put these files on other computers to transfer the settings.
Some settings like paths for tabs or programs may be wrong but all other settings will be transfered.

[Scott_Y]

Is there any way for the user to specify the location of the Settings folder? I'd like to have it on my data partition so it always gets backed up.

[inglorious]

there is an outdated portable version [v 2009] afaik there is no portable XE version yet.

[joby_toss]

I keep the entire FC XE folder on my data partition and it is portable (settings are saved in Settings subfolder), but not stealth (leaves empty folder in Local).

[Scott_Y]

I keep the entire FC XE folder on my data partition and it is portable (settings are saved in Settings subfolder)...

That is exactly what I would like to do. Can you tell me how to accomplish that? Thanks.

[joby_toss]

Try creating a "Settings" folder in your FC XE installation directory (in your Data partition) and move your FreeCommander.ini and all the other files there.

Copy your all settings files in the Settings subfolder:
freecommander.ini
freecommander.shc
freecommander.fav.ini
freecommander.wcx.ini

You need write rights for this folder.

[Scott_Y]

Sorry, I don't understand. The program is installed on
C:\Program Files (x86)\FreeCommander XE\

and the settings are on
C:\Users\Scott\AppData\Local\FreeCommanderXE\Settings\

I see that I could copy the \FreeCommanderXE\Settings\ folder to my data partition. But then how would I tell FC XE to use that folder instead of the default location? Thanks.

[joby_toss]

If you want it to work in a portable manner, you should move your entire FC XE's installation directory outside Program Files (of course, copy it, then uninstall it, but not before moving your settings there, too).
You should also avoid keeping your portable apps on the C (system's) drive.

[Dreamer]

I'll add just few more setting files:

Copy your all settings files in the Settings subfolder:
freecommander.ini
freecommander.shc
freecommander.fav.ini
freecommander.wcx.ini

FreeCommander.find.ini
FreeCommander.mren.ini

You need write rights for this folder.

Perhaps there are more .ini files, so just copy all the .ini files and the .shc file.

BTW also copying the setting files to FC install dir works, but in the "Settings" sub-folder it's clearer.

I think this should be improved somehow, there should be some option to specify the settings path (C: user..., FC\Settings, custom). Option for the backup is available, so also the option for the main settings should be added.

[DelboyS]

My assessment of XE has just ground to a halt because the ability to choose the location of the settings file, FreeCommander.ini, in 2009.02b has 'disappeared' from XE. It was available under 2009.02b in Settings..., Start Program..., Config file..., 'From following folder :' This means I can no longer have a single configuration for Users : Administrator, myself - JohnDoe and my wife - JaneDoe. Any changes have to be manually copied between the various locations of C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\FreeCommanderXE\Settings and I have better things to do with my time! This was one vital feature which should not have been omitted from XE.

[ralfso]

The settings are back since actual preview-donor-version 584 (5.4.2012).
Other have to wait for next public preview-version.

[Dreamer]

This option has been added in the latest version (build 584), it should be available in the next public preview.

Anyway, I think both options - settings location and setings backup should be at the same place in settings, so I'd move the config folder to "general" or backup folder to "start program". The best would be one item for settings with the configuration folder and backup folder.

[ralfso]

Anyway, I think both options - settings location and setings backup should be at the same place in settings, so I'd move the config folder to "general" or backup folder to "start program". The best would be one item for settings with the configuration folder and backup folder.

+1

[inglorious]

...This means I can no longer have a single configuration for Users : Administrator, myself - JohnDoe and my wife - JaneDoe. Any changes have to be manually copied between the various locations of C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\FreeCommanderXE\Settings and I have better things to do with my time! This was one vital feature which should not have been omitted from XE.

we soon shall (hopefully) have a 100% portable version, so your 'problem' will be gone.
rather than having multiple users working with one single .ini file a better approach could be to create a batch file
containing simple "IF" queries like

Code: Select all

If [%USERNAME%]==[JohnDoe] Call :JohnDoe & goto :eof 
:JohnDoe
"d:\Program Files\FreeCommander\FreeCommander.exe" /ini=FreeCommander_JohnDoe.ini

then FC starts and saves its settings in different files depending of each user.
as most user do not share the same work-flow, settings, favorite folders, tools, layouts, etc.
if you cherish this approach search the forum, somewhere it's explained in detail...