How to Transfer Font Database from Computer A to Computer B

General discussion of the use of FontExpert font manager
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How to Transfer Font Database from Computer A to Computer B

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Current version 9 does not include explicit menu commands "Backup.../Restore...",
but you can transfer fonts and font database from Computer A to Computer B manually.

(To backup/restore fonts on Computer A use the same procedure,
but copy fonts and database file from Computer A to backup CD/DVD,
and then restore from backup CD/DVD to local disk on Computer A.)

I. Copy fonts from Computer A to Computer B to the same folder paths.

To backup Groups - just copy entire group folders hierarchy,
My Documents/My Groups/<...group folders...> to Computer B.
(Or put all folders to a ZIP archive on Computer A and UNZIP this zip on Computer B.)

II. Copy font database from Computer A to Computer B.

FontExpert holds the database in SINGLE file: FontExpert.db
File location in Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\<USER NAME>\Application Data\Proxima Software\FontExpert\9.0\FontExpert.db
File location in Windows Vista:
C:\Users\<USER NAME>\AppData\Roaming\Proxima Software\FontExpert\9.0\FontExpert.db

where C: is the local disk on which Windows is installed.

The Application Data is hidden folder, to see this folder you must set an option in Windows Explorer to display hidden files. In Windows Explorer choose Tools/Folder Options.../View/Files and Folders/Show hidden files and folders.

Attaching new database on Computer B:

1. Close FontExpert on Computer B.
2. Copy FontExpert.db file from Computer A to corresponding folder on Computer B.
3. Run FontExpert

If your login name ("<USER NAME>") on Computer A and your login name on computer B are the same, and you copied fonts from Computer A to Computer B to the same folders and paths, no action is needed.

But if your login name on Computer B is different, or you copied your font collection to different folder, you should "link" folders in font database to existing folders on your local disk.

4. In FontExpert on Computer B choose Tools\Database Maintenance

5. You will see unlinked folders in the list (marked with "?" icon).

6. Select the unlinked folder: C:\Document and Settings\<USER NAME A>
and press "Link to existing folder" button.

7. Then choose existing folder:
C:\Document and Settings\<USER NAME B>

8. You should not see unlinked folders in the list (marked with "?" icon).
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