Suggestion: Could LibreOffice please give guidance on upgrading?

Every time I upgrade (particularly from a major version to the next major version), I’m unsure whether I should uninstall the current version first. If I do uninstall, will I lose changes to default settings, recent history, etc.? If I don’t uninstall first, will I still have the previous version’s files on my drive and keys in my registry, could it have other unintended consequences?

It would be great if someone who understood installation details could add an “Upgrading” section to Installation Instructions | LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft

Unless you edit your question (don’t use an answer for additional information) to mention your OS, you’ll receive no definitive answer.

Your customised settings are stored in your user profile. The location of this directory varies across OSes, but is usually hosted in the user home directory.

Consequently if the install/upgrade process does not interfere with your home directory, you’re safe. Unless, of course, you installed the application in fancy directories like your own user directory.

From time to time, the settings format evolves. Then a reset of the user profile is necessary. This is where you lose your settings.

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In case you need clarification, edit your question (not an answer which is reserved for solutions) or comment the relevant answer.

I wasn’t really looking for an answer to my specific question, I was using this space (incorrectly, I’m pretty sure) to suggest a documentation clarification that would be very helpful to users on all platforms.

However your answer did clear up a lot and was helpful - thanks.

I wasn’t really looking … to suggest a documentation clarification

Then your post is off-topic here and you should have filed an documentation enhancement request at https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/

Done, thanks.

See tdf#138861 on LO BugZilla