# Re-initializing ipfs gives me ERROR configuration already exists

**URL:** <https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/re-initializing-ipfs-gives-me-error-configuration-already-exists/13588>\
**Category:** Kubo\
**Created:** [February 27, 2022, 3:47am UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/re-initializing-ipfs-gives-me-error-configuration-already-exists/13588 "2022-02-27T03:47:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ericnickus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/ericnickus/32/6095_2.png) [@ericnickus](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/ericnickus)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 3:47am UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/re-initializing-ipfs-gives-me-error-configuration-already-exists/13588/1 "2022-02-27T03:47:53Z")

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Do I have to delete the ipfs folder each time I run the goipfs node on my machine ?  
I had it running , turn off my machine , then come back type ipfs init and get this error

ericnickus@Erics-iMac ~ % ipfs init

generating ED25519 keypair…done

peer identity: 12D3KooWHgaNG9ay7haNLFT6mFNBn58TFq1cjroHs2DduWfHbq8w

initializing IPFS node at /Users/ericnickus/.ipfs

Error: ipfs configuration file already exists!

Reinitializing would overwrite your keys.`

please advise how to get it running again without deleting everything

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**Author:** ![Jorropo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/jorropo/32/3230_2.png) [@Jorropo](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/Jorropo)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 2:19pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/re-initializing-ipfs-gives-me-error-configuration-already-exists/13588/2 "2022-02-27T14:19:08Z")

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You need to remove `~/.ipfs` first.

```bash
rm -rf ~/.ipfs/

```

# Warning, that will remove everything you have stored in IPFS on your node and you current configuration.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ericnickus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/ericnickus/32/6095_2.png) [@ericnickus](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/ericnickus)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 2:50pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/re-initializing-ipfs-gives-me-error-configuration-already-exists/13588/3 "2022-02-27T14:50:29Z")

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So that’s where it’s at with running your own node ? turning off the computer loses all the data ? Are we supposed to use filecoin or something to store permanent ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jorropo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/jorropo/32/3230_2.png) [@Jorropo](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/Jorropo)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/re-initializing-ipfs-gives-me-error-configuration-already-exists/13588/4 "2022-02-27T15:28:01Z")

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Ok I’ve miss understood what you wanted.

**You only run `ipfs init` once the first time.**  
When you create a new node.

I thought you wanted to reset your node fresh.

Now that you have a repo just run `ipfs daemon` as usual.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sankesireddy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/sankesireddy/32/6189_2.png) [@sankesireddy](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/sankesireddy)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 8:56am UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/re-initializing-ipfs-gives-me-error-configuration-already-exists/13588/5 "2022-03-16T08:56:16Z")

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Hi,  
When I’m trying to install IPFS by using “npm install orbit-db ipfs” I’m encountering this error. ERR! Error: EPERM: operation not permitted, symlink ‘C:\Users\Student\OB\node\_modules\go-ipfs\go-ipfs\ipfs.exe’ →   
However, when I install just the IPFS following “npm install IPFS”, there aren’t any issues.

Can you please help me fix this issue