How to upgrade from Linux lite 4.8 to 5.. without reinstalling?

[firenice03]

You stated "... I would suggest a back up of what you dont want to lose....".
Can you share your approach so we can preserve our docs and move it to the new 5.x after the upgrade?

There are many ways to approach a backup... but for sake of migrating...
I like to back up externally, typically USB/NAS/Another PC etc..
as long as you can put it where it won't be accidentally erased...
Then you can set up the new version and replace the files...

Files can be any sort pics, configs etc etc...

[/size]You could migrate without, BUT if you click the wrong filesystem to format - its gone....
[/size]Depending on the disk(s) you could have a /data partition for the files - leaving this filesystem as is, it could be mounted/added in the new... Some do this with /home, but I personally think going from one series to another (3.x to 4.x) the user config/desktop type configs shouldn't be saved but recreated. That's me though, should there be incompatible configurations...

[/size]Again if choosing this route don't accidentally format/delete this partition...





Now if wanting to talk backups for safe guarding - depends on needs, failure and recovery..
Family Pics for example. Most would say "cannot lose"
Having on 1 system/disk - there is potential risk of the Hard Drive going bad.
- Could back up to an external USB/disk. Less risk but all data needs to be copied and depending could loose both disks...
- NAS, say 2 disk, the nas could have 1 disk fail and be rebuilt, and if stored on the PC you have 3 disks - 2 copies.
- - downside what if a natural disaster fire/tornado/flood... All could be lost....
Having cloud/offsite gives the added benefit but may come with a cost (depending on size)...

Hope it helps - I may have dove a little deeper.... [size=medium]