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I have an outdated version of Ubuntu. Can I back up my files, download the latest version to a disk & do a complete fresh install of the latest version? Or do I need to uninstall the outdated version first? Sorry I am a beginner in Linux & trying to learn :)

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  • @Tim Do I just open a terminal window & input that command?
    – user292686
    Jun 11, 2014 at 20:10

2 Answers 2

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Installing over the top is fine, just chose Erase this disk and install or Install over Ubuntu XX.xx. Make sure you have a backup and a list of programs.

However, you could upgrade it, preserving your documents etc, by running the command sudo update-manager -d - Wouldn't work for version 10.04.

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  • I think you can only upgrade from the previously release (e.g. from 13.10 to 14.04).
    – Wilf
    Jun 11, 2014 at 19:50
  • @Wilf I went from 12.04 to 14.04
    – Tim
    Jun 11, 2014 at 19:52
  • What version are you running at the moment?
    – Tim
    Jun 11, 2014 at 19:52
  • I did an 13.10 to 14.04 with apt-get (dist-upgrade ? - don't remember) and had problems ONLY due to use of proprietary nvidia drivers.
    – Hannu
    Jun 11, 2014 at 19:58
  • Try disabling them first I guess, then re-enable after the upgrade?
    – Tim
    Jun 11, 2014 at 20:00
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Installing directly over the old version is the most stable and easiest way to upgrade. You could use a backup program like Aptik to back up your added repos and program configuration files, then use the file manager to backup your personal files to an external drive or use a cloud storage program like Dropbox.

Just choose to install over your old Ubuntu when installing with the Live CD, and it'll overwrite over the old version. This is also works if you need to overwrite another Ubuntu based distro such as Lubuntu or Xubuntu.

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    Essentially a duplicate of mine...
    – Tim
    Jun 11, 2014 at 20:19
  • @Tim - a few extra details, like where to get the installer, how to back stuff up (and Formatting) could of done it
    – Wilf
    Jun 11, 2014 at 21:43

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