Modifying the MediaMonkey database and settings files / changing the default database location

The MediaMonkey database file stores most of the information in the MediaMonkey library, including file metadata, playlists, play history, synchronization settings, podcast subscriptions, and display/filter/Collection settings. The exception is the MediaMonkey 4/5 artwork caches which are stored within the file system. Most configuration data is stored in an .ini settings file that saves configuration information on a per-user basis (the exception being some configuration related to Views which is stored in the registry). These files are stored in different locations depending on the version of MediaMonkey and the operating system.

To modify any of these files, first make sure that MediaMonkey has been closed. You can then use the following tools to edit the files:

  • .db files can be viewed with various tools that support SQLite
  • .ini files can be edited with a text editor such as Notepad
  • persistent.json can be edited with a text editor such as Notepad
  • .mdb files can be edited (at your own risk) with Access (MediaMonkey 2.x and older)

Default Locations

MediaMonkey 5.x:

  • Windows 11 / 10:
    %APPDATA%\MediaMonkey5\MM5.DB
    %APPDATA%\MediaMonkey5\MediaMonkey.ini
    %APPDATA%\MediaMonkey5\persistent.json
    %APPDATA%\MediaMonkey5\MetadataCache\
  • Portable Mode:
    In the ‘Portable’ subdirectory of the location to which MediaMonkey was installed. e.g.
    <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder>\Portable\MM5.DB
    <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder>\Portable\MediaMonkey.ini
    <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder>\Portable\persistent.json
    <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder>\Portable\MetadataCache\

MediaMonkey 4.x:

  • Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista:
    %APPDATA%\MediaMonkey\MM.DB
    %APPDATA%\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.ini
    %APPDATA%\MediaMonkey\MetadataCache\
  • Windows XP:
    C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Application Data\MediaMonkey\MM.DB
    C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Application Data\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.ini
    C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Application Data\MediaMonkey\MetadataCache
  • Portable Mode:
    In the ‘Portable’ subdirectory of the location to which MediaMonkey was installed. e.g.
    <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder>\Portable\MM.DB
    <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder>\Portable\MediaMonkey.ini
    <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder>\Portable\MetadataCache\

MediaMonkey 3.x:

  • Windows XP:
    C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Application Data\MediaMonkey\MM.DB
    C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Application Data\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.ini
  • Windows 8 / 7 / Vista:
    C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Local\MediaMonkey\MM.DB
    C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Local\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.ini

MediaMonkey 2.5:

  • Windows XP:
    C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\My Documents\My Music\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.mdb
    C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\My Documents\My Music\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.ini

Note:

  • Paths with %APPDATA%\ can be copy & pasted as shown in the location bar in File Explorer.
  • Replace <USERNAME> in paths with the username you’re logged into Windows
  • Replace <MediaMonkey Portable Install Folder> with the path to where the portable install of MediaMonkey is installed.

Changing the Default Location of the MediaMonkey database

MediaMonkey allows you to change the database’s location by editing the MediaMonkey.ini file. You can choose a different location to store in a location that’s backed up, on a faster drive or a networked location

To change the location of the MediaMonkey database:

  1. Close MediaMonkey (so that it doesn’t overwrite any of the changes)
  2. Back up the MediaMonkey.ini file
  3. Move the MediaMonkey database file from default location to the new location where you’d like to store it
  4. Add the following line to the [System] section of the MediaMonkey.ini file: DBName=full pathfilename.DB (for example DBName=C:\Databases\music.db)
  5. Start MediaMonkey


NOTES

  • If you cannot see these files, it likely means that you need to enable viewing of hidden files/folders. In File Explorer, go to File > Options. Select the View tab and check “Show hidden files, folders, and drives”. The folders and files listed above should now be accessible in File Explorer.
  • A custom MediaMonkey.ini location can be used through command line instructions.

Applies to: ,

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