Family Historian User Group

Mike, is the current live version of the Backup & Restore FH Settings (v2.4 1st April 2016) OK to run against FH 6.2.0 (it mentions updates as far as v6.1)? Will it update settings in files and registry?

Background: I'm cautiously setting up a new Windows 10 desktop to replace a venerable WinXP desktop running FHv5.

Initially I want to just bring across the existing (rather outdated*) settings and customisations, re-establish synchronisation via Dropbox box with a Win 10 laptop (up until today also FHv5, but in the process of going FHv6.2 in tandem with the new desktop), and then look to updating the settings and customisations (possibly also synching these using the LSE Hardlinks into Dropbox, but that's for later!).

*E.g. using flags to condition icons on diagrams, where now Queries will be much better. I have a 4-5 year FH/AS hiatus to catch up on!

An update for the Plugin for FH V6.2.0 is imminent (unfortunately I have to react to the Calico Pie releases rather than be forewarned).

So I suggest you stick at FH V6.1.4 for the time being.

Remember that the Plugin will only work between copies of FH at exactly the same version.

So you need to have all copies at V5.0.11 or all at V6.1.4 in order to exchange settings via the Plugin.

I downloaded and installed the trial version, which is already at 6.2.0, and bought a full license because previously I'd had a chain of version upgrades/keys, which was becoming unwieldy.

Can I safely regress to 6.1.4 having already installed 6.2?

When I last used FH it was a regular discussion point that all the user-made settings and customisations should be held in (for example) an INI file within the FH file structure, rather than in a mixture of places including the registry. A bit disappointed to find that's still a significant issue, making synchronisation and upgrading more difficult than it need be.

You did not need to buy a full FH V6 licence, because the upgrade versions since FH V5 do NOT require earlier versions to be installed. See how_to:reinstall_family_historian|> Family Historian Installation Advice.

What FH V6 version came with the licence you purchased?
If that is V6.1.4 (or earlier) then yes, uninstall trial V6.2.0, and install that earlier licensed version, but you will not be able to upgrade to the free V6.1.4 unless you downloaded it before V6.2.0 was released.

If you are forced to stay with V6.2.0 then you will have to wait for the Plugin to catch up.

Alternatively, install FH V5.0.11 on all your PC, use the Plugin to migrate settings, and then upgrade them all to V6.2.0.

I presume you are aware of the how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide.

I purchased the "Family Historian (Download)" license from the FH website. But that just says "Software is the latest version (6.0)." on the download webpage http://www.family-historian.co.uk/store/download-page, and the download link in the email points to the 30 day trial version which, as I said, is already at 6.2.0.2.

So, the versions mentioned on the web pages need aligning correctly.

Yes, I've seen the Guide.

In the meantime, looks like I'm waiting for the plugin to catch up, then....

An update for the Plugin for FH V6.2.0 is imminent (unfortunately I have to react to the Calico Pie releases rather than be forewarned). So I suggest you stick at FH V6.1.4 for the time being.

I actually used the Backup & Restore FH Settings plugin and FH 6.2.0 and it seemed successful, except, of course the prefs.dat, which I copied back manually. Didn't see any adverse impact at all, but I realize the risks.

I have just double-checked the Plugin script, and apart from an unnecessary error message regarding no Tutorial Files it does work OK with FH V6.2.0.

Excellent! Thank you, Mike, and ronk.