I have windows11 and Loaded with DT 4.6.0. To install 4.8.0 do I need to remove 4.6.0 and install the new one or can load the new one and system takes care of it. If have to remove 4.6.0, what is the best way to achieve this.
When you try and install 4.8 the windows system will detect 4.6 and ask to remove it. Just say yes and 4.6 will be replaced automatically. It is recommended to backup the database, but I never do and never have a problem. However, it is probably worth backing up the database if losing it will cause you any grief.
I have mine set up as follows as I build and update frequently . I have two folders DTconfig and DT cache… I use these with a shortcut to run DT.
Using these command-line variables taken from here to redirect the configdir and cachedir
https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/4.6/en/special-topics/program-invocation/darktable/
When I install a new version in Win11 I just run the install and when I get to the part where it says uninstall existing version I say yes…
This overwrites my install and may prompt you if the database is in need of updating (with my setup I don’t end up using that database file)… So if you didn’t go at it the way I do and you want to replace 4.6 with 4.8 there should be backups in the config folder but to be extra sure back up that folder and then you should be able to install it over top of the existing one without an issue.
Using it the way I do, I have backups of my two re-directed directories should I ever need them and when I run a new DT install using the shortcut for the first time if the database needs upgraded or whatever, it happens as though I was using the default locations…
I don’t pay much attention to that default install directory with each new install as I have redirected where I want DT to look for the config files but the install doesn’t know about these and so can’t corrupt them…
Its just the way I set it up, there is no need to do this.
You could also do a modified theme on this to run both versions …ie when you install 4.8 just modify the install directory so it uses another one, say maybe xxxxx_48 or something. Then use my strategy of a shortcut to run it using the created external folders for the config files.
If you use parallel versions for any reason its a good idea to turn off xmp file creation in versions newer than your main one as there is no going back to use those in 4.6…
Thanks for your reply.
I don’t have 2 directories as stated by you. Can I create these now before installing 4.8
If I don’t make directories and say yes to uninstall, will it do the needful and complete setup.
For sure but again its not necessary unless that set-up appeals to you …
My command -line for the shortcut is:
“C:\Program Files\darktable\bin\darktable.exe” --configdir “C:\DT_configdir” --tmpdir “C:\DT_config” --cachedir “C:\DT_config”
So if you wanted to do something like this you would create two empty directories with names to replace what I happen to name them to suit you and then install 4.8 over top of 4.6…making sure that you backup the original folder in Users\appdata\local\darktable just for extra protection …
Then make and run the shortcut… in addition to backing them up you could if you want first make sure that you also copy those old config files of v. 4.6 from the default directory into the new folder so they are updated the first time you run from the shortcut… if you don’t take the 4.6 config files and put them in that alternate location they won’t be updated to 4.8 which you might be what you want to do or if you leave the folder blank DT will create a clean set of config files but of course then you would have to import presets etc… so just take care when doing this …
After you do it though then you can just install subsequent versions and run the shortcut…