How to Move Birder’s Diary to a New Computer

Use these instructions to move your Birder’s Diary database and sighting attachments to a new computer. [Updated for v7.0 and later – 20-Aug-2026]

Choose Your Situation

  1. I use Version 7.0 or later and Birder’s Diary works on my old computer.
  2. Birder’s Diary does not work on my old computer, or I only have backup files.
  3. I use a version before Version 7.0.

Version 7.0 or Later—Birder’s Diary Works on the Old Computer

If you are using Version 7.0 or later on your old computer, install the latest build from here before continuing.

1. Create the Backup

On your old computer, perform a backup to a removable device, such as a USB flash drive, external drive, or other storage that can be moved to your new computer.

2. Install Birder’s Diary on Your New Computer

Install the latest build of your licensed version of Birder’s Diary onto your new computer from here.

3. Activate Your Birder’s Diary License on the New Computer

Right-click the Birder’s Diary icon and choose Run as Administrator. The License Information window will open automatically. You can also open it by pressing Ctrl+L.

Click Activate License and enter your license information. Exit Birder’s Diary, then restart it normally.

For complete license activation instructions, click here.

4. Restore Your Backup on the New Computer

Connect the removable device containing your backup to your new computer.

In Birder’s Diary, choose File | Backup/Restore…, click Restore, and select the backup file from your old computer.

If Birder’s Diary finds the matching attachment backup directory, click Yes. Otherwise, select the attachment backup directory when prompted.

Follow the remaining prompts. After the Restore is complete, restart Birder’s Diary and confirm that you can see your data and open your sighting attachments.

Birder’s Diary Does Not Work on the Old Computer

1. Get Your Birder’s Diary Database

On your old computer, copy the newest Birder’s Diary backup file you can find onto a removable device.

If you do not have a backup file, copy the actual database file from: C:\Birder’s Diary\data\database.mdb

If the old computer will not start or run properly, ask a computer repair person to copy the backup file or database file from its drive.

2. Get Your Sighting Attachments

On your old computer, if you use sighting attachments, copy the newest attachment backup directory you can find onto the same removable device.

If you do not have an attachment backup directory, copy the actual attachment directory from: C:\Birder’s Diary\Attached-Sighting-Documents\

If the old computer will not start or run properly, ask a computer repair person to copy the attachment backup directory or actual attachment directory from its drive.

3. Install Birder’s Diary on Your New Computer

On your new computer, install the latest build of your licensed version of Birder’s Diary from here.

If you want to install a later version than the version you have a license for, you must first purchase an upgrade license.

4. Activate Your Birder’s Diary License on the New Computer

On your new computer, right-click the Birder’s Diary icon and choose Run as Administrator. The License Information window will open automatically. You can also open it by pressing Ctrl+L.

Click Activate License and enter your license information. Exit Birder’s Diary, then restart it normally.

For complete license activation instructions, click here.

5. Restore Your Database and Sighting Attachments

  • If you installed Version 7.0 or later:
    • Choose File | Backup/Restore…, click Restore, and select the backup file or database file copied from your old computer.
    • If Birder’s Diary finds the matching attachment directory, click Yes. Otherwise, select the attachment directory when prompted.
    • If you do not have an attachment directory, choose to restore only the database.
    • After the Restore is complete, restart Birder’s Diary and confirm that you can see your data and open your sighting attachments.
  • If you installed a version before Version 7.0:
    • Use File | Backup/Restore… to restore the backup file or database file.
    • After the Restore is complete, restart Birder’s Diary and confirm that you can see your data.
    • Copy your sighting attachments into: C:\Birder’s Diary\Attached-Sighting-Documents\
    • If you use a different attachment directory, open View | Options… | Special and select the correct directory.
    • Open a sighting attachment to confirm that it works.

You Use a Version Before Version 7.0

You can purchase an upgrade and install the latest version on your new computer, or install the version you currently have a license for.

In either case, first get your database and sighting attachments from your old computer.

1. Get Your Birder’s Diary Database

On your old computer, perform a backup to a removable device, such as a USB flash drive, external drive, or other storage that can be moved to your new computer.

2. Get Your Sighting Attachments

If you use sighting attachments, copy your complete attachment directory onto the same removable device.

By default, sighting attachments are stored here: C:\Birder’s Diary\Attached-Sighting-Documents\

If your files are not there, open Birder’s Diary and go to View | Options… | Special. The attachment directory is shown near the bottom of that tab.

3. Install Birder’s Diary on Your New Computer

Choose whether to purchase an upgrade or continue using the version you currently have a license for.

Install the latest build of your licensed version of Birder’s Diary onto your new computer from here.

For versions before Version 5.0, contact support@BirdersDiary.com.

4. Activate Your Birder’s Diary License on the New Computer

Right-click the Birder’s Diary icon and choose Run as Administrator. The License Information window will open automatically. You can also open it by pressing Ctrl+L.

Click Activate License and enter your license information. Exit Birder’s Diary, then restart it normally.

For complete license activation instructions, click here.

5. Restore Your Database and Sighting Attachments

  • If you installed Version 7.0 or later:
    • Choose File | Backup/Restore…, click Restore, and select the backup file from your old computer.
    • If Birder’s Diary finds the matching attachment directory, click Yes. Otherwise, select the attachment directory copied from your old computer.
    • After the Restore is complete, restart Birder’s Diary and confirm that you can see your data and open your sighting attachments.
  • If you installed a version before Version 7.0:
    • Use File | Backup/Restore… to restore the backup file from your old computer.
    • After the Restore is complete, restart Birder’s Diary and confirm that you can see your data.
    • Copy your sighting attachments into: C:\Birder’s Diary\Attached-Sighting-Documents\
    • If you use a different attachment directory, open View | Options… | Special and select the correct directory.
    • Open a sighting attachment to confirm that it works.

There is no need to download, install, or import your taxonomic lists. These are stored in your database and will be available after you move your database to your new computer and complete the restore operation.

 If you receive a message during license activation indicating that you have exceeded your activation limit, please send an email to sales@birdersdiary.com indicating this, and we will be happy to reset your activation count.

Moving the backup file and attachment backup directory from one computer to another can be done in many ways and is beyond the scope of this topic. For example, if your computers are connected by a network, you might use Windows Explorer to move them from one computer to another. Other common methods include copying them to a USB flash drive or memory stick, or saving them to a CD-ROM/DVD disc. Then place that device into your new computer for the restore operation. For help using Windows Explorer or copying files over a network, please see Windows Help.

 If you have no backup file or no access to your previous database, please contact support@birdersdiary.com and explain what happened. We will help you determine what data and taxonomic lists can be recovered.