Skip to main content

Data and Reinstall

Protect your library before moving HyperHQ, replacing a drive, or reinstalling your operating system.

What to back up​

Keep copies of:

  • The HyperSpin folder selected under Settings, Paths
  • A current HyperHQ database backup
  • Emulator folders containing saves or portable settings
  • ROM folders stored outside the HyperSpin folder
  • Platform firmware, BIOS, and keys stored outside emulator folders

Find the HyperSpin folder​

  1. Open Settings in HyperHQ.
  2. Open Paths.
  3. Review the HyperSpin path.
  4. Open the folder in your file manager.

This folder contains the frontend and its managed media. Custom ROM and emulator folders might live elsewhere.

User data locations​

ContentWindowsLinux
Database and settings%USERPROFILE%/.HyperHQ/~/.HyperHQ/
Main database%USERPROFILE%/.HyperHQ/main.hsdata~/.HyperHQ/main.hsdata
Database backups%USERPROFILE%/.HyperHQ/backups/~/.HyperHQ/backups/
Default application folderC:/ProgramData/HyperSpin/HyperHQ/~/HyperSpin/HyperHQ/

HYPERHQ_DATA_DIR overrides the user data root when configured. XDG_DATA_HOME does not change the setup default or the .HyperHQ user data root. Enable hidden files in your file manager to see .HyperHQ.

Use Settings, HyperHQ, Logs to find the active logs. Log paths depend on the application layout. Do not assume logs live under AppData or the Linux configuration directory.

Find database backups​

  1. Open Settings, Database Backup.
  2. Select Create.
  3. Select Open Folder.
  4. Copy the newest backup to another drive.

See Saves and Backups for restore details.

Move a Linux setup​

  1. Create a database backup and copy external saves and ROMs to separate storage.
  2. Close HyperHQ, HyperSpin, companion apps, and emulators.
  3. Copy the full HyperSpin folder to a writable, executable filesystem.
  4. Open HyperHQ and select the new root in Settings, Paths.
  5. Review external ROM, emulator, BIOS, and save paths separately.
  6. Check executable permissions and filename case. Recreate shortcuts or startup entries referencing the old path.
  7. Test one game per platform before removing the previous copy.

For an operating-system change, follow Move from Windows.

Move a Windows setup to another drive​

  1. Close HyperSpin, HyperHQ, and all emulators.
  2. Move or copy the complete HyperSpin folder to the new drive.
  3. Confirm HyperSpin.exe, Repair HyperSpin Location.cmd, and the HyperHQ folder are together in the new HyperSpin root.
  4. Run Repair HyperSpin Location.cmd from the new HyperSpin root.
  5. Approve the Windows administrator prompt.
  6. Read HyperSpin Relocation Report.txt after the repair finishes.
  7. Open HyperHQ and test one game per platform.

Keep the old copy until the full setup passes testing.

The repair updates HyperHQ installation and uninstall locations, the optional HyperSpin startup entry, the configured HyperSpin path, and database values rooted under the previous HyperSpin folder. Before a database change, HyperHQ creates a backup under %USERPROFILE%\.HyperHQ\backups\.

External ROM libraries, Steam libraries, and emulators outside the previous HyperSpin folder keep their existing paths. Update those paths separately only when those folders also moved.

Running the repair again from the same location is safe. HyperHQ leaves current database paths unchanged and does not create another relocation backup.

Complete a clean reinstall​

  1. Create a database backup.
  2. Copy the HyperSpin folder and external game data to safe storage.
  3. Install HyperHQ.
  4. Select the restored HyperSpin folder during setup.
  5. Open Settings, Database Backup and restore the saved database.
  6. Review platform and ROM paths.
  7. Test HyperHQ, HyperSpin, HyperOverlay, and HyperMarquee.

Reconnect missing platforms​

Platforms with a missing executable show Repair available or let you choose an existing installation.

Use existing installation when the emulator folder survived the move. Use automatic repair when you need a fresh supported installation.

Common problems​

Games appear but do not launch​

On Windows, open HyperSpin Relocation Report.txt and rerun Repair HyperSpin Location.cmd from the current root if repair failed. On Linux, confirm Settings, Paths and each platform executable use the new location. On both systems, update external ROM and emulator paths separately after moving those folders.

Media is missing​

Confirm Settings, Paths points to the restored HyperSpin folder. Then use Refresh Media for the affected system.

Saves are missing​

The emulator uses a data folder outside HyperHQ. Restore the matching emulator save folder and confirm the platform points to the expected installation.