# Upgrade ### Backup If this is an upgrade to an existing xLights setup, make sure that you backup your existing files before installing a new version. The install process does not delete any of the files required for your sequences or setup, as these files are kept in the show and media directories. To backup your existing files, follow the procedure described on the Menus Page or just press F10. {% hint style="danger" %} Before you install any new release of the software, it is very good practice to backup your key xLights files . This can be set to automatically by enabling the ‘Backup on Launch’ option via the Preferences Dialog. Alternatively you can manually do so via the F10 or F11 functions. {% endhint %} ![](/files/-M08zOENOBQJ_CjkwUQm) If you have any sequence currently open, then changes to the effects, views, models etc may not have been saved until you exit xLights. Please also refer to the Backup section in this document which describes how xLights handles current unsaved work. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://manual.xlights.org/xlights/chapters/chapter-three-installation/backup.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.