Uninstall previous versions of Eagle

[ajarizaleta]

AS I'm now on Eagle 9.2.0, I've seen a installing method which is to create a new installation of the product every time. This produces a new folder with the new files. 

I choose instead to use a single folder called, e.g., \Eagle.

When I check on my Apps and Features Control Panel I see already 5 installations of Eagle on my computer (I'm using the product since 9.1.0), which every installation using about 500 MB of space. 

How could I get out of these previous versions installations?

In the forum somebody suggested to simple update the product

Alfredo Arizaleta

[mdavis22569]

HI @ajarizaleta

Try using the Microsoft Fix It tool to remove them:

Microsoft Fix It tool:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed...

Install this software and then look in the list for the Eagle and uninstall it there.

[ajarizaleta]

Really?
I guess that the correct procedure would be to check previous installations, if any, update them or change the corrected files and then delete previous or installation files. When you update a program, you change the procedures on it and the related objects, preferences, configuration and the likes. If those objects are in other containers, such as *.dll, compiled *.h or similar compiled packs, then you have to update those compiled programs and the related containers. Then you make the changes in the registry accordingly. But create a new directory, a new registry hive and a new installation, results in a use of about 1GB of space for every installation, isn't it? Is it efficient?
Going to Third parties' Tools, like the one you suggested, could produce unexpected results. For me, it could be better to go directly to the Registry to clean up hives.
The actual procedure is to create a new subdirectory and copy the files. I guess it could be better to perform a total uninstall of the product and then install the last version?? but it will result in a loss of preferences.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Did you have a solution since then?

I'm on 9.4.2 and I have all the old versions since 9.3.0.

Best regards,

[ajarizaleta]

Hi Bruno, my solution is to install the updated version in the same
directory as the old one.

If you want to do like this, it could be important for you to backup all
your files. My installation directory is in a separate partition from OS.
Please consider where your project files are stored in your computer. In my
case they are store in my User profile (User\Documents\Eagle).

After the backup, I install the new version on that previous installations
directory (in my case is D:\Autodesk_Eagle). After checking that everything
is working I uninstall previous versions.

Hope it works for you.

Alfredo

[miechh]

I've been using Autodesk Eagle happily for a month now, and this is the first time Eagle notified me about a new release (9.5.2). After starting the installation manually (instead of letting the program update automatically like Fusion 360 does, which I like very much), it asked me in which folder to install the new version. Now I have two folders of Eagle, 9.5.1 and 9.5.2, which occupy 1Gb of disk space. Besides the fact that every update creates a new installation folder, I wonder why the standard installation folder isn't located in the "Program Files"-folder like almost all other Autodesk programs. Can I just delete the previous installation folder of Eagle without any consequences?

[ajarizaleta]

Hi miechh,

I have to say first that every user has its procedures and Best Practices,
so all programs and software providers. Setting a Best Practice is a
procedure of software providers to install software based on the majority
of the users. I have to say that because Autodesk has its procedures. What
I mention here is my personal procedure.

One best practice is that computers has only one active disk partition,
i.e. C:\, where everything is installed and the data is saved on the User
Profile ("C:\Users\$Username") or Documents Folder. This is because, I
guess, most users do not know how to reinstall the system in the case of
disk failure. In my case, I like to partition my disk and separate System
and Data. It also could be another disk (spindle).

On this regard I move the Eagle Installation Folder to my data partition.
Every time Eagle is updated I install it in the same folder. The
installation over writes the program, executables and other objects.
Another issue is the Data Directories, which I haven't moved already but I
back up it. It requires more time.

[image: image.png]
You can go to those directories by clicking on Browse, go to those
directories and backup them.

[image: image.png]


After I install the application on the same directory, I go to Control
Panel and deinstall past versions:
[image: image.png]
[image: image.png]

Hope It helps.

Alfredo