More than one Audacity version installed

[RonSH]

Some months ago, I installed the current Version 2.1.2 and as best I can recall did not first uninstall Version 2.0.5 since this is not a requirement. Both versions show up in my Windows Programmes, though the only one I access when opening the programme is 2.1.2.

Should I delete the earlier version or are there important plug-in links between them?

Thanks Ron

[kozikowski]

are there important plug-in links between them?

Yes, but not in the way you think. Audacity installations are designed to bring forward your preferences and settings. Normally, this makes upgrading Audacity a pretty simple thing.

The down side of that is damage. If you have damage or a mis-adjustment somewhere in preferences or settings, it will stick with you like a head cold. Reinstalling the program won't help a bit. The damage will just keep rolling forward.

The Windows installer has a place to tell the system start over.

Koz

[kozikowski]

Audacity 2.0.5 doesn't actually do anything, right? Can you drag the shortcut to the trash (I'm not a Windows elf)?

Koz

[Gale Andrews]

Some months ago, I installed the current Version 2.1.2 and as best I can recall did not first uninstall Version 2.0.5 since this is not a requirement. Both versions show up in my Windows Programmes, though the only one I access when opening the programme is 2.1.2.

Should I delete the earlier version or are there important plug-in links between them?

Because of a technical change we made, if you install 2.1.1 or later over 2.1.0 or earlier, the old installation will be overwritten, but the Programs and Features entry for the older version will be left behind and will uninstall the later version.

So it is recommended to use either entry in Programs and Features to uninstall 2.1.2, run the other entry which will fail, then accept the offer to remove it from the list. Then install 2.1.2 again.

If you install a later version over 2.1.2, the 2.1.2 entry in Programs and Features will be updated for the later version and there won't be a redundant entry left behind.


Gale

[RonSH]

... the old installation will be overwritten, but the Programs and Features entry for the older version will be left behind and will uninstall the later version ...

Thanks all for your guidance.
If I am reading correctly, am I still using the older version of Programs and Features even though it shows up as 2.1.2.

[Gale Andrews]

... the old installation will be overwritten, but the Programs and Features entry for the older version will be left behind and will uninstall the later version ...

Thanks all for your guidance.
If I am reading correctly, am I still using the older version of Programs and Features even though it shows up as 2.1.2.

Programs and Features is where you go in the Windows Control Panel to uninstall an application. I thought that was what you meant by "Both versions show up in my Windows Programmes".

Did you install 2.1.2 into the same folder as 2.0.5? If so, you no longer have any actual files for 2.0.5.


Gale

[RonSH]

Hei Gale,

Apologies if I seem confused! In answer to your question ... I would have installed version 2.1.2 into existing folder in accordance with faq ... Windows: How do I install Audacity, and do I have to uninstall a previous version first?. Just checking my Installed Programmes (via Local Disc/Prog Files x86/Audacity) I can find only one .exe which is for File Version 2.1.2. So 2.0.5 must have been 'overwritten' even though it still shows up in Control Panel/Programs. I guess that this means that I can delete the 2.0.5 entry in Control Panel?
Cheers Ron

[Gale Andrews]

In answer to your question ... I would have installed version 2.1.2 into existing folder in accordance with faq ... Windows: How do I install Audacity, and do I have to uninstall a previous version first?. Just checking my Installed Programmes (via Local Disc/Prog Files x86/Audacity) I can find only one .exe which is for File Version 2.1.2. So 2.0.5 must have been 'overwritten' even though it still shows up in Control Panel/Programs. I guess that this means that I can delete the 2.0.5 entry in Control Panel?

If you use Windows Programs and Features it does not give any way to remove an item from the list of installed applications unless the uninstall fails. But if you run uninstall for 2.0.5 from there, it will try to uninstall 2.1.2.

(A) So I think you should run the uninstall entry for 2.0.5, and if it uninstalls 2.1.2 as I expect, just install 2.1.2 again to tidy it up.

(B) If you have CCleaner, its Tools section has a section to uninstall applications that lets you remove entries without uninstalling. So you could try removing the 2.0.5 entry with that.

If it was me, I would try (A).


Gale

[RonSH]

Thanks Gale.
You were correct ... 2.1.2 uninstalled. I deleted the 2.0.5 entry in Control Panel/Programmes, downloaded and reinstalled version 2.1.2 again. This is now the only entry. The x86 Folder had been retained so I guess that any additions I had previously added eg plug-ins, remain in situ. We shall see.

Thanks for excellent guidance.
Cheers Ron

[Gale Andrews]

The x86 Folder had been retained so I guess that any additions I had previously added eg plug-ins, remain in situ.

Any third-party plugins you added yourself are retained.

Plugins that are part of the Audacity installation will be updated (or removed if they are no longer part of 2.1.2). For example, the "Hard Limiter" DLL file is no longer part of 2.1.2, so will have been removed and replaced with "limiter.ny".


Gale