# Migrating from User to Service install on Windows

**URL:** <https://forum.duplicati.com/t/migrating-from-user-to-service-install-on-windows/660>\
**Category:** How-To\
**Created:** [September 16, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://forum.duplicati.com/t/migrating-from-user-to-service-install-on-windows/660 "2017-09-16T04:18:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 32

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**Author:** ![kees-z](https://forum.duplicati.com/user_avatar/forum.duplicati.com/kees-z/32/29_2.png) [@kees-z](https://forum.duplicati.com/u/kees-z)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 9:03am UTC](https://forum.duplicati.com/t/migrating-from-user-to-service-install-on-windows/660/32 "2018-05-09T09:03:29Z")

</div>

When running Duplicati in portable mode, the data is stored in a subfolder `Data`, located under the program folder (usually `C:\Program files\Duplicati 2`).  
One exception is the location of the files that are downloaded by the integrated updater, discussed here:

> <https://github.com/duplicati/duplicati/issues/2826>
>
> \- \[x\] I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates.
> 
> \----------------…------------------------
> 
> \## Environment info
> 
> 
> \- \*\*Duplicati version\*\*: 2.0.2.10 Canary
> \- \*\*Operating system\*\*: Windows 10 Enterprise
> \- \*\*Backend\*\*: N/A
> 
> \## Description
> 
> When Duplicati is running in portable mode, \`C:\\ProgramData\` is still used for downloading updates. \`C:\\ProgramData\\Duplicati\\updates\` contains subfolders \`2.0.2.8\`, \`2.0.2.9\` and \`2.0.2.10\`.
> I suppose the \`updates\` folder should be located in the data folder, under the Duplicati program folder, when running in portable mode.
> 
> \<!-- ## Steps to reproduce
> List the steps to reproduce the bug if possible. 
> 1. Replace me
> 2. Replace me
> 3. ...
> \--\>
> 
> \<!-- For "Expected result", describe what should happen after you run the steps above (i.e. corrected behavior). 
> \- \*\*Actual result\*\*:
> Replace me
> \- \*\*Expected result\*\*:
> Replace me
> \--\>
> \<!-- ## Screenshots
> Make it easier to get your point across with screenshots. --\>
> 
> 
> \<!-- ## Debug log
> Posting a debug log helps the developers find and fix your particular issue more easily. --\>

More info about the problem with missing config after major Windows 10 updates:

> <https://github.com/duplicati/duplicati/issues/1950>
>
> \<!-- This is a bug report template. By following the instructions below and fill…ing out the sections with your information, you will help the developers to get all the necessary data to fix your issue.
> You can also preview your report before submitting it. You may remove sections that aren't relevant to your particular case.
> 
> Let's begin with a checklist: replace the empty checkbox \[\] below with a checked one \[x\] if you already searched for duplicate bugs --\>
> 
> I have:
> \- \[x\] searched open and closed issues for duplicates
> 
> \---
> \### Version info
> 
> 
> 
> \*\*Duplicati Version:\*\* 2.0.1.17
> \*\*Operating System:\*\* Windows 10 Version 1607 (OS Build 14393.187)
> \*\*Backend:\*\* Any
> \### Bug description
> 
> After upgrading to Windows 10 (Version 1607), the Duplicati's configuration while running as a service was lost.
> \### Steps to reproduce
> \- Install Duplicati as a service on Windows 10 
> \- Add some configuration
> \- Upgrade to Version 1607 
> 
> \*\*Actual result:\*\* The Duplicati configuration goes back to what it is after a fresh install
> \*\*Expected result:\*\* The Duplicati configuration should stay the same.
> \### Screenshots
> 
> Screenshots would not be applicable.
> \### debug log
> 
> A debug log would not be applicable.
> \### More information
> 
> The configuration when running as a service using the "System" user is stored in:
> 
> C:\\WINDOWS\\System32\\config\\systemprofile\\AppData\\Roaming\\Duplicati
> 
> The folder is moved to:
> 
> C:\\Windows.old\\WINDOWS\\System32\\config\\systemprofile\\AppData\\Roaming\\Duplicati
> 
> during the upgrade. If you run an advaced "Disk Clean", the "c:\\windows.old" folder is deleted.
> 
> An update to the program could change the default data directory to c:\\programdata\\Duplicati when running in a non-interactive state (like the WindowsService).
> 
> For short term workaround, I'm using the environment variable DUPLICATI\_HOME and setting it to a folder that I'm including in my standard backups. This can be done by using the command line:
> 
> c:\> setx DUPLICATI\_HOME c:\\programdata\\Duplicati /m
> 
> It will then have the same configuration for all users on the system. If Duplicati is only running as a service, then that should be fine. If there are multiple users running interactively, then this would probably not be the best solution.
> \## 
> 
> 
> \<bountysource-plugin\>
> 
> \---
> Want to back this issue? \*\*\[Post a bounty on it!\](https://www.bountysource.com/issues/37992549-configuration-lost-after-windows-10-anniversary-update-when-running-as-a-service?utm\_campaign=plugin&utm\_content=tracker%2F4870652&utm\_medium=issues&utm\_source=github)\*\* We accept bounties via \[Bountysource\](https://www.bountysource.com/?utm\_campaign=plugin&utm\_content=tracker%2F4870652&utm\_medium=issues&utm\_source=github).
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> [@Installed Windows 10 Fall Creators Update - Now Everything is Missing In Duplicati](https://forum.duplicati.com/t/installed-windows-10-fall-creators-update-now-everything-is-missing-in-duplicati/1073):
>
> I installed the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update yesterday on my computer. I noticed that when I open Duplicati, it no longer shows any of my backup tasks, and the options have been reset to default. I found this in the log: Oct 18, 2017 6:39 PM: Request for http://localhost:8200/api/v1/serverstate?longpoll=true&lasteventid=15&format=json&duration=5m gave error System.Threading.ThreadAbortException: Thread was being aborted. at System.Threading.WaitHandle.WaitOneNative(SafeHandle waitableSaf…

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