* Saving and restoring data

[Robert]

I am a little confused with the various 'save' options in FH v5 and would welcome some advice please. I hope in the new year to replace my aging, but yet realiable, Windows XP desktop with a Windows 10 laptop. I know I shall need to reinstall the FH software afresh, but which of the various 'save' options would I elect and reinstall? There are three backup (save) options available in FH v5, 'small', 'medium' and 'full'. When I save my project work now I always elect the 'full' version. Would this be what I would need to do when reloading the projects on a new machine?

Many thanks

[Jane]

The simplest way to move your Projects is to simply copy the whole Family Historian Projects folder over when you move the rest of your Documents folder to your new computer.

There are lot's more detailed instructions in how_to:move_settings|Move Settings

[Robert]

Thank you Jane. I very often create an external Windows backup of my documents and settings; would restoring this backup on my new machine achieve the same objective?

Regards

[Jane]

Not sure, but you might need to be careful as you are changing OS versions at the same time.

[tatewise]

By far and away the best method is described in the how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide which copes with moving from Windows XP to Windows 10 and automates the how_to:move_settings|> Move Settings mentioned by Jane.

The backups you mentioned will almost certainly NOT work because the Win XP and Win 10 backup formats are incompatible and the files will be in different locations.