Startup of PgAdmin/PgAdmin4 is slow when DATA_DIR is redirected to another location in Windows

[rhewy]

Describe the bug

Although the DATA_DIR redirect eventually works, PgAdmin is busy initializing directories and files in %USERPROFILE% before the redirection happens. The location in %USERPROFILE% is not used after the redirect. On a restart of PgAdmin within in the same session the apps launches at a reasonable speed. The initialization of dirs and files happens twice on a new/clean login.

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Install PgAdmin4 on Windows
2. Redirect the DATA_DIR in config.py

if IS_WIN:
    # Use the short path on windows
    DATA_DIR = os.path.realpath(
        os.path.join(fs_short_path('H:'), APP_WIN_PATH)
    )

3. Check %USERPROFILE% for PgAdmin4
4. Check the redirected directory for PgAdmin

The directories have slightly different names BTW

Expected behavior

If a redirect is valid, then directories and files should not be created in %USERPROFILE% and the settings directory should have the same name.

Error message
There is no error message on a good run, just a delayed startup. However, occasionally It does take too long and PgAdmin gives up on staring.

Screenshots
Config.py

%USERPROFILE%

DATA_DIR

Desktop Info:

• OS: Windows 11
• Version: Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22631.4169]
• Mode: Apporto Desktop (cloud desktop)
• Browser NA
• Package type: Download from PgAdmin website (windows 8.13)

Additional context
The profiles are not Roaming or 100% Roaming and we have to redirect the app settings to a more permanent location. If there is a better way let me know. This could also be a feature request where settings could be stored in in a different location for a user e.g a home drive that is separate from c:\users.

[adityatoshniwal]

Hi @rhewy,

There will be two directories here:

1. pgAdmin config data and logs. (DATA_DIR)
2. Cache directory created by the Electron container which wraps pgAdmin for desktop.

It is completely safe to remove the 2nd (electron) directory as it is just a cache and will be re-created. But the 1st directory(DATA_DIR) will have your server config and other pgAdmin settings. You'll lose if you remove that dir.

[rhewy]

Is there any way to prevent the files and directories (pgAdmin/pgAdmin4) from being recreated/reinitialized in %USERPROFILE% if they already exist in DATA_DIR?

[adityatoshniwal]

Is there any way to prevent the files and directories (pgAdmin/pgAdmin4) from being recreated/reinitialized in %USERPROFILE% if they already exist in DATA_DIR?

Unfortunately no, the purpose of both the directories is different as I mentioned above.