changing data directory on standalone 3.0

chubukov
For the life of me I cannot figure out how to change the data directory on my zotero 3.0 standalone installation (Windows 7). I choose a new directory in options->advanced, then I get a message that zotero needs to restart. After it restarts, the choice reverts back to "use profile directory". It doesn't matter whether I close the options dialog before clicking "restart now" or not. (in the options box before restarting, "custom" is in fact chosen, with the right new directory).

The only reason I have to change it is because the default directory that it chooses is on our work network, where it is not allowed to keep .exe files, and I'm pretty sure that this is what causes installation of the pdf tools to fail for me.

Suggestions appreciated, thanks.
  • dstillman
    We've never seen this before. You can try trashing the prefs.js file in your Standalone profile directory (one folder above the default Zotero data directory) and restarting Firefox.
  • chubukov
    There wasn't anything above the zotero data directory, but there was a prefs.js in the main install directory. I deleted it and Zotero simply crashed (quit?) quietly upon start.

    I've actually tried a clean reinstall twice now, but I always have the same problem.

    Firefox is not installed at all -- is that an issue?
  • chubukov
    Actually maybe that's what's going on -- I can't create any .js files on the network directory, so if Zotero is trying to place prefs.js there and use that to store the new settings, this will fail.

    Yes, I have to deal with somewhat silly "security" at work. Is there any way to change the default location that Zotero places the profile/data directory during installation?
  • Simon
    Blocking .js seems strange, since that would also prevent Firefox from saving its preferences. However, I think that you should be able to edit the shortcut to Zotero Standalone to change the profile directory by right-clicking it, selecting "Properties", and appending

    -profile "c:\path\to\profile\directory"

    to the target.
  • chubukov
    Thanks Simon, that's perfect.
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