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

[MysticReverie]

I've tried many distros. Mainly for portable USB.
THIS distro is the best, simply becasue it's easy to use and everything WORKS!

It's the only distro I've not had to troubleshoot.. and usually fail doing so.


I managed to figure out im Running 4.8.
Can I upgrade without having to do a fresh install?

If so, how?
Thanks !

[TheDead]

Hi,

Linux Lite does not support upgrading between versions, i.e. from 4 to 5.
Neither from 5 RC version to 5 Final.
On the plus side, it's quite fast to reinstall, compared to the big corporate OSes we will not name.

Good luck!

[Narender Rao]

Sir, reinstall means fresh and clean install? That is we are to format the entire disc and start the installation!
When LL is based on Ubuntu, why don't we get the boon of upgrading from 4.x to 5.x alike 18.04LTS to 20.04LTS ?! If given the opportunity, it could be more than a boon from the heavens for many LL lovers like me! Hope we could get this from the developers.

[TheDead]

Hi,

Well, I myself keep my data on a separate disk so I only have to reconfigure + reinstall apps, without transfering my data.
Over the years, I have made some simple .sh files to automate the operations and discovered Linux in the process.

I do not know how well reinstalling OVER an existing partition works since I always wiped the disks myself. But I guess you could shrink your current partition and create a different one to install there since dual-booting is possible.
If you already have a dual boot with a Windows partition on there though, that could have other problems from what I read.

[rob2cv]

As a newcomer to Linux, I would also like to know how to upgrade from LL 4.8 to 5.
With nearly 2000 views it would seem that others feel the same too!

Linux Lite is promoted as a gateway distribution for former Windows users, it would be very useful if there was more constructive guidance from the developers on how to upgrade as painlessly as possible.

Is this something that novice users can expect to see in the near future?
Rob

[firenice03]

[member=20121]MysticReverie[/member]
From series to series ll4.x to ll5.0 is a new install..

As such I would suggest a back up of what you dont want to lose... Same as if you went from XP to Win7..


You'll find that an install  of LL is a quick breeze...
Nothing to what windows was.


Even though windows has a way to keep docs in the later versions of upgrades. Do you trust it?
Whether a usb/external drive, a shared folder, a NAS or cloud... or even a partition that's not OS (ie a data)
I would have a 2nd/replicate copy anyways..

[johnausten13]

Not yet possible since LL was developed. It would have been handy if I were able to upgrade from 4.8 to 5.0 without fresh installation since my G2010 Scanner did not work with LL 4.8

[tonyz80]

To everyone

We understand there is no upgrade path from 4.x to 5.x; but is there a migration guide that can help users save their data as they manually upgrade?

1) What is the best approach to backup?
2) would it save all personal folders/files and settings too, or just data?
3) what about all the apps and config on current system? is there a way to "easily" re-create the environment on the new 5.x?

[member=5414]firenice03[/member]
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?

thanks
Tony

[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]

[tonyz80]

thanks [member=5414]firenice03[/member] for the detailed response.  Certainly helps.
I do have a NAS and I will follow your steps carefully.
I agree with your thoughts on config transition: create instead.