[GNC] Updating from v 2.6.16.

[Alan A Holmes]

I would add one thing to David's excellent instructions below. Each time
after upgrading and open a fata file for the first time I would recommend
using Actions->Check & Repair->All transactions. This is just a failsafe in
case there is any problem with a change to the schema.


Alan A Holmes

-----Original Message-----
From: gnucash-user
<gnucash-user-bounces+gnucash=alanaholmes.me.uk at gnucash.org> On Behalf Of
davidcousens49 at gmail.com
Sent: 04 November 2021 22:52
To: gnucash-user at gnucash.org
Subject: Re: [GNC] Updating from v 2.6.16.

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

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