> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.youka.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Move Your Project Library to a Safe Folder

> Copy your Youka project library out of the old application data folder without deleting the original

Move your project library to a personal folder that remains in place when Youka is reinstalled. You will copy the complete library, make the copy active in Youka, and keep the original folder unchanged.

<Warning>
  Do not move or delete the original library. Copy the complete folder to a new,
  empty folder and keep the original after the migration succeeds.
</Warning>

## Before you start

* Connect an external drive and make a separate backup of the complete project library if possible.
* Make sure the destination drive has enough free space for the complete library.
* Choose a new or empty destination outside the old Youka application data folder. On Windows, do not use a folder under `%APPDATA%\youka\data\youtube` or `%APPDATA%\youka\data\library`. On macOS, do not use `~/Library/Application Support/Youka/youka/data/youtube` or `~/Library/Application Support/Youka/youka/data/library`.
* Do not create, edit, or delete projects while copying the library.

## Copy and activate the library

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the current Project Files Folder">
    Open **Settings** in Youka and note the full path shown under **Project
    Files Folder**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Close Youka">
    Close Youka before copying so project files cannot change during the copy.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a safe destination folder">
    Create a new, empty personal folder outside the Youka application data
    folder. We recommend `Music\Youka` on Windows or `~/Music/Youka` on
    macOS.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the complete library">
    Copy every file and subfolder from the current **Project Files Folder** to
    the new folder. Do not move the files, and do not interrupt the copy.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the copied folder in Youka">
    Open Youka, go to **Settings**, and select **Change** next to **Project
    Files Folder**. Choose the new folder and wait while Youka reindexes it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify your projects">
    Confirm that the expected projects appear. Open and play several projects,
    including older and recently created projects, to verify their audio, video,
    and lyrics.
  </Step>
</Steps>

When the expected projects appear and play correctly, the copied folder is active. Keep the original library folder unchanged.

## Back up your library

The retained original folder on the same computer is not a backup. Copy the complete active **Project Files Folder** to an external drive or another independent storage location, and update that backup regularly.

## If a project is missing or does not play

1. In **Settings**, change **Project Files Folder** back to the original folder.
2. Confirm that the project still opens from the original library.
3. Repeat the copy into a different new, empty folder.
4. Keep both the original folder and any incomplete copied folder. Youka support may need them to diagnose the problem.

<Note>
  Changing **Project Files Folder** rebuilds Youka's project index. It does not
  delete the original project files.
</Note>