# Gramps Portability

**URL:** <https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-portability/10184>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [November 3, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-portability/10184 "2026-11-03T18:15:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jeff.rosendahl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@jeff.rosendahl](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/jeff.rosendahl)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-portability/10184/1 "2026-11-03T18:15:42Z")

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Gramps version AI064-6.0.8–1

Installed on Win 11 pro desktop computer

Wondering if I can download all current database info to a flash drive, install it on a Win 8.1 laptop, add info to the family tree over the weekend, then be able to update the original with the new info when I return home?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![stuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stuck](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/stuck)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-portability/10184/2 "2026-11-03T18:25:11Z")

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What you are asking sounds similar to what I do. My main installation of Gramps is v6.0.8 on my Win 11 Pro desktop PC. I also run a copy on my Win 11 Pro laptop by mirroring my desktop copy to an external HDD and then copying that mirror onto my laptop.

However, I don’t ever run that process in reverse (i.e. from laptop to desktop) but I can’t see any reason why I couldn’t. The only tweak have to make on the laptop installation after I’ve refreshed it is to reset the base media path.

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**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-portability/10184/3 "2026-11-03T18:38:45Z")

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I like the @stuck approach over exporting a full backup (with media) then importing to the other computer. Then reversing the process.

That’s because there are SOME refinements that don’t convey. (Such as re-ordering and Media object sidecars.) And restoring deltas (newly added/changed media files) via a revised Media set in a backup is … not handled well… at all.

And about media objects. Make doggone sure that all your local media object are within the relative media path and not using absolute paths. (But leaving the imported URLs path alone is ok.)

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**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:45pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-portability/10184/4 "2026-11-03T18:45:04Z")

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What version of Gramps are you running on the 8.1 laptop?

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**Author:** ![jeff.rosendahl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@jeff.rosendahl](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/jeff.rosendahl)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/gramps-portability/10184/5 "2026-11-03T23:53:39Z")

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Gramps Portable I think…is that a version?

- [Gramps Portable | PortableApps.com](https://portableapps.com/apps/education/gramps_portable)