Mike, There are three major issues associated with upgrading:
Upgrading the data file format; Relocation of user preference data/config data (changes of storage location and methodology; Preserving any saved reports/config changes; The first two generally take place, if at all at the major version transitions 2->3->4. Release numbers are major.minor.micro The major component of the release number usually flags incompatible architecture changes, changes to database schema and the API. Minor version numberssignify stable releases if even and unstable releases if odd. These are primarily bug fixes and minor feature releases. The micro numbers are sequential for each release GnuCash generally includes an inbuilt, run once only procedure to update the data file format and usually to relocate any config and reports to the new locations from the last minor release. Since you ar on Windows, you won't need to build your files the programs. You can find copies of all releases of GnuCash on SourceForge at this location https://sourceforge.net/projects/gnucash/files/gnucash%20%28stable%29/. Before starting it is a very good idea to make backup copies of your data files,user data, config etc. File locations in GNuCash are discussed on the wikipage https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/Configuration_Locations but this is a fairly complex document as it covers all operating systems and GC versions. Your data files are located in your user directory where you have chosen to locate them. The migration of user preferences, saved reports and online Banking data is discussed in the wiki at https://www.gnucash.org/docs/v4/C/gnucash-guide/basics-migrate-settings.html. After making backups the procedure is fairly simple. Install GC V3.11 (download gnucash-3.11.setup.exe from https://sourceforge.net/projects/gnucash/files/gnucash%20%28stable%29/3.11/ and run the .exe file to install it as usual on Windows. Open each of your data files (if you have more than one data file) with the 3.11 version which will do any necessary datafile modification and shifting of config data etc to new locations and then save them. Check that all saved reports you use are listed in the menu and can be used. If not you may need to copy them from the ~/.gnucash directory specified in the migration wiki above. If everything is working then you are ready to upgrade to V4. If not ask on the User forum for help before proceeding. You shouldn't have to go back to 2.6 at all at this point, but if you did reinstall V2.6.16 you would have to restore the data files and config, reports etc form your backups before opening them. To go to V4 if there are no problems the procedure is much the same. Make backups of your data files and the config, reports etc files for V3 as discussed in https://www.gnucash.org/docs/v4/C/gnucash-guide/basics-migrate-settings.html. You shouldn't need these but it never hurts to be careful. The download the V4 version you wish to install (4.8) and install it. Open ALL your data files (if more than one) and save them after GC has done any reuired conversions and migrations). Again check you have all your previous functionality and that your saved reports are available and functioning. If all is ok you are good to go at the latest version. If not come back to the user forum for assistance. David Cousens On Thu, 2021-11-04 at 20:58 +0000, Mike Stillingfleet wrote: > Good Evening All, > > It would appear that my current version of 2.6.16 is a bit out of date. > > I have been looking at a route to updating. > > I see that I can download a stable version 3.11 and 4.8. > > My question is can I install all 3 versions at the same time so that I can > migrate and check the integrity before moving forward whilst ensuring that I > still have a viable system in 2.6.16. > > If so how would I do the install. I use Windows 10. > > T.i.a _______________________________________________ gnucash-user mailing list gnucash-user@gnucash.org To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user If you are using Nabble or Gmane, please see https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/Mailing_Lists for more information. ----- Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All.
