Data & Backup

Where is the Data Directory?

DesktopMemo creates a /.memodata directory by default in the executable's directory:

.memodata/
├── content/                 # Markdown memo files (YAML Front Matter + content)
├── .logs/                   # Log files directory
├── settings.json            # Window and global settings
├── memos.db                 # Memos database (v2.3.0+)
└── todos.db                 # Todo items database (v2.3.0+)

Different versions may contain migration files or compatibility data (e.g., the earlier index.json).

Backup Recommendations

Minimal Backup

• settings.json
• memos.db, todos.db
• content/ (if you want to preserve Markdown content and metadata)

Recommended Backup Strategy

• Exit the application before backing up to avoid inconsistent file states during writes
• Regularly package and backup the entire .memodata directory
• Recommended to keep at least 3 historical backups

Migration & Consistency

The application may perform migration tasks on startup (e.g., migrating old indexes to SQLite). During migration, file timestamps may be updated to ensure index-file consistency; refer to FAQ if you have questions.

Data Recovery (General Approach)

1. Exit DesktopMemo
2. Overwrite the backed-up .memodata to the current version's executable directory
3. Restart the application

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Last Updated: 2025-12-26