Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

q4osteam · 2023-01-04 12:08

This recommendation concerns an upgrade from older Q4OS edition to a newer one, for example from Q4OS 5 Aquarius to Q4OS 6 Andromeda.

If you are happy with your current edition of Q4OS, you probably don't need to upgrade. Each Q4OS edition has a support cycle of at least five years, so you may not need to upgrade at all. Therefore, check the planned end of support date for your edition first.

We always recommend a new fresh Q4OS installation and copying desired user data in the $HOME folder, as it ensures the clean operating system base and exclude possible hidden inconsistencies. In such a clean way, it's feasible to make use of custom profiles feature of the Desktop profiler, see https://www.q4os.org/dqa016.html . In the end of install process you get fresh and clean operating system just ready for use.

For those, who really want to perform discouraged major upgrade:
The upgrade is possible according to the standard conditions of Debian, see the Debian instructions https://www.debian.org/releases/trixie/ … eleasename . Upgrading Q4OS is the same as upgrading the plain Debian. If you follow recommendations for Debian and simply modify Q4OS repositories in the sources.list, it should be possible to upgrade between Q4OS editions in most cases. Keep in mind, the major upgrades usually require post-upgrade manual system interventions and fixes, what will be time consuming. This major upgrade could pull hidden inconsistencies into various system and user configurations. These inconsistencies may lurk for years before they may show up anytime later. So be ready for some interventions, don't blame Q4OS about connected issues.

If someone claims that major-to-major upgrade of Debian, Ubuntu, or another OS is safe, that's simply not true. We cannot recommend that in good conscience. Keep in mind, we strive to keep Q4OS rock stable and immutable. For that reason we don't recommend major upgrade described above. This is the same for any operating system that undergoes major updates, so it's not a disadvantage of Q4OS.

Do not hesitate to post any valuable links to Debian upgrade instructions in the follow up discussion.

Last edited by q4osteam (2025-12-05 11:08)

just1acc · 2023-03-22 16:25

Very good topic. Lets have some informative discussions before Q4OS 5

bin · 2023-03-22 16:49

The upgrade section here is quite useful. https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/ … ase-notes/

The process of just upgrading Debian is normally pretty easy.

There are additional factors with pinning in Q4OS and other bits and bobs discussed in the notes that do make me wonder about the wisdom of going down the upgrade route with Q4OS.

Perhaps the question is whether the devs have the bandwidth to make the process foolproof or not. The more you try to cater for exceptions the worse it gets.....

In the past I have always just bit the bullet and reinstalled. I have a list of the packages I install so that doesn't take long. Keeping the old config files is easy enough in just backing up the dot files.
OK there's a bit of fiddling with a few system files I adjust but TBH it's no big deal.

It would be nice to get a test version of Q4OS 5 to play with.

q4osteam · 2023-03-22 17:43

Upgrade Q4OS 4 -> Q4OS 5

Q4OS 5 will not use any APT pinning by default, so upgrade of Q4OS specific system part should comprise of the following steps at least:
- Edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/10_q4os.list" and change "q4os-4-0-cn" to "q4os-5-0-cn"
- If you are not using Trinity DE, just delete the "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list" file
- If you are using Trinity DE, edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list" and change line:

deb http://q4os.org/qtderepo bullseye basic main"

to

deb http://q4os.org/qtderepo bookworm main

Don't forget to remove the "basic" component.

- Remove Q4OS pinning by deleting file "/etc/apt/preferences.d/pin80-q4os"

- Continue upgrading the Debian part, at the first place you need to edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/20_debian.list" and change repositories from "bullseye" to "bookworm" according to Debian instructions.

Be ready, some applications may be muddled when using configurations from older versions. Q4OS specific tools and applications should receive the upgrade peacefully, however we are not able to guarantee so for all situations.

Last edited by q4osteam (2023-03-23 11:43)

bin · 2023-03-23 06:58

Thanks for that info. Chicken and Egg question....?

I would be tempted to do the Debian dist-upgrade first, on the basis that everything in the existing TDE side should work fine with a later version of Debian libraries. The reverse may or may not be true.

Once the OS is updated I would then do TDE.

q4osteam · 2023-03-23 11:48

@bin
Q4OS 5 compiles TDE libraries against the new Debian version, so the old ones likely will not work flawlessly in a mixed environment. So, the upgrade should be performed at once, as close as possible.

Important note: don't try to upgrade now, until Q4OS 5 is released. Q4OS 5 repositories are not initialized at the moment.

HerrAbisZ · 2023-10-26 10:17

HI! I Have a Problem

- Edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/10_q4os.list" and change "q4os-4-0-cn" to "q4os-5-0-cn"

I`m here now in Terminal

### Q4OS essential repositories

## origin q4os.org | o=q4os.org,a=q4os-4-0-st,n=q4os-4-0-cn,l=q4os-4-0 reposito>
deb xxxx://q4os.org/q4repo q4os-5-0-cn main
##deb-src xxxx://q4os.org/q4repo q4os-5-0-cn main

^G Hilfe ^O Speichern ^W Wo ist ^K Ausschneid^T Ausführen ^C Position
^X Beenden ^R Datei öffn^\ Ersetzen ^U Einfügen ^J Ausrichten^_ Zu Zeile

Now how can I save this please? Thanks

q4osteam · 2023-10-26 10:29

HerrAbisZ wrote:

Now how can I save this please? Thanks

Just press ctrl+O as suggested ... "^O Speichern"

HerrAbisZ wrote:

^G Hilfe ^O Speichern ^W Wo ist ^K Ausschneid^T Ausführen ^C Position
^X Beenden ^R Datei öffn^\ Ersetzen ^U Einfügen ^J Ausrichten^_ Zu Zeile

HerrAbisZ · 2023-10-26 12:49

Aha! not Zero but O and then "enter"

q4osteam wrote:

- If you are using Trinity DE, edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list" and change line:
deb xxxx://q4os.org/qtderepo bullseye basic main"
to
deb xxxx://q4os.org/qtderepo bookworm main

That is what i see

GNU nano 5.4 /etc/apt/sources.list.d/20_debian.list
### Debian essential repositories
## origin deb.debian.org | o=Debian,a=stable,n=bullseye,l=Debian,c=[main|contrib|non-free],b=[amd64|i386|arm64|armhf]
deb xxxx://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
##deb-src xxxx://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
## origin security.debian.org | o=Debian,a=stable-security,n=bullseye-security,l=Debian-Security,c=[main|contrib|non-free]>
deb xxxx://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
##deb-src xxxx://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
## origin deb.debian.org | o=Debian,a=stable-updates,n=bullseye-updates,l=Debian,c=[main|contrib|non-free],b=[amd64|i386|a>
deb xxxx://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
##deb-src xxxx://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
## origin deb.debian.org
##deb xxxx://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-proposed-updates main contrib non-free
##deb-src xxxx://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-proposed-updates main contrib non-free

q4osteam wrote:

- Remove Q4OS pinning by deleting file "/etc/apt/preferences.d/pin80-q4os"

I see this

Explanation: increase q4os repo priority
Explanation: to be preferred to debian
Explanation: ---
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-2-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-3-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-4-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-5-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-rpi-2-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-rpi-3-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-rpi-4-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501
Package: *
Pin: release o=q4os.org,n=q4os-rpi-5-0-cn
Pin-Priority: 501

And i can`t delete them

HerrAbisZ · 2023-10-26 13:03

UH Sorry, wrong List

GNU nano 5.4 /etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list
### Q4OS-TDE repositories
## origin q4os.org | o=q4os.org,a=qtde-bullseye-st,n=bullseye,l=Q4OS TDE reposi>
deb deb xxxx://q4os.org/qtderepo bookworm main
##deb-src deb xxxx://q4os.org/qtderepo bookworm main

HerrAbisZ · 2023-10-27 15:47

I Have something from here

xxxxx://www.q4os.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3887

Now i will see

HerrAbisZ · 2023-10-27 15:53

does not work because the addresses are not correct

HerrAbisZ · 2023-11-05 16:03

It`s ok, but 5.2 isn`t stable on Aspire 5715Z

crosscourt · 2025-08-04 20:53

Your Aspire 5715Z uses the Intel GL960 express chipset with the Intel X3100 HD graphics, both are problematic with more recent kernels. Have you tried a newer Q4OS version with it? Your system is 64bit so trying the live media could show if the system can run reliably, but performance,stability and graphics issues are highly likely.

Last edited by crosscourt (2025-08-04 20:57)

josek · 2025-08-19 19:02

q4osteam wrote:

Upgrade Q4OS 4 -> Q4OS 5
Q4OS 5 will not use any APT pinning by default, so upgrade of Q4OS specific system part should comprise of the following steps at least:
- Edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/10_q4os.list" and change "q4os-4-0-cn" to "q4os-5-0-cn"
- If you are not using Trinity DE, just delete the "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list" file
- If you are using Trinity DE, edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list" and change line:
deb http://q4os.org/qtderepo bullseye basic main"
to
deb http://q4os.org/qtderepo bookworm main
Don't forget to remove the "basic" component.
- Remove Q4OS pinning by deleting file "/etc/apt/preferences.d/pin80-q4os"
- Continue upgrading the Debian part, at the first place you need to edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/20_debian.list" and change repositories from "bullseye" to "bookworm" according to Debian instructions.
Be ready, some applications may be muddled when using configurations from older versions. Q4OS specific tools and applications should receive the upgrade peacefully, however we are not able to guarantee so for all situations.

Is this post still active?
I'd like to apply this method when Q40S 6 comes out in September?

GuestStar · 2025-09-07 16:44

I just did it.

johnd@flbe5510q4os:~$ hostnamectl 
 Static hostname: flbe5510q4os
       Icon name: computer-laptop
         Chassis: laptop ?      Machine ID: 6b13562e0eb34c3097ad8c7fdf3b8dd1
         Boot ID: 2e12b7b3156640dabc794585ffebb4d1
Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 13 (trixie)    
          Kernel: Linux 6.12.43+deb13-amd64
    Architecture: x86-64
 Hardware Vendor: FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING LIMITED
  Hardware Model: LIFEBOOK E5510
Firmware Version: Version 2.15
johnd@flbe5510q4os:~$

Dunno if it worked but at least the base is Trixie now.

Edit: it worked, kinda. There were glitches, however, so I decided to reinstall. I didnt have anything special in my previous install so it was an easy decision for me to just download a new ISO, shove it on my Ventoy stick and install. No backups whatsoever taken or needed. I also decided to go dual booting (win10) this time, and I'm writing this edit on the Windows side now.

Last edited by GuestStar (2025-09-13 10:57)

q4osteam · 2025-09-11 08:34

GuestStar wrote:

Dunno if it worked but at least the base is Trixie now.

It may work well. But keep in mind, Q4OS is designed to be rock solid and immutable, but not to get major upgrades. For that reason we don't recommend such a major upgrade, rather a fresh installation.

This major upgrade could pull hidden inconsistencies into various system and user configurations. These inconsistencies may lurk for a time before they may show up anytime later. So be ready for later manual interventions, don't blame Q4OS about connected issues.

vort3 · 2025-09-13 07:48

q4osteam wrote:

Upgrade Q4OS 4 -> Q4OS 5
upgrade of Q4OS specific system part should comprise of the following steps at least:
- Edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/10_q4os.list" and change "q4os-4-0-cn" to "q4os-5-0-cn"
- If you are not using Trinity DE, just delete the "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list" file
- If you are using Trinity DE, edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/12_qtde.list" and change line:
deb http://q4os.org/qtderepo bullseye basic main"
to
deb http://q4os.org/qtderepo bookworm main
Don't forget to remove the "basic" component.
- Remove Q4OS pinning by deleting file "/etc/apt/preferences.d/pin80-q4os"
- Continue upgrading the Debian part, at the first place you need to edit "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/20_debian.list" and change repositories from "bullseye" to "bookworm" according to Debian instructions.

Can we have Q4OS 5 -> Q4OS 6 upgrade procedure please?
I know I'm not supposed to upgrade existing system, but I'll make a backup and try anyway, if this doesn't work I can always do a clean install and restore from backup later anyway.

Also, can we have a proper upgrade procedure in detail? Like, I can copy my entire ~/ directory, then do a clean install, and paste everything from a backup back into ~/. Is this is it? Any more steps I should do? Do I just copy paste my home folder as usual, or using specific commands/tools to preserve file permissions and metadata etc?

hchiper · 2025-09-13 09:14

vort3 wrote:

Do I just copy paste my home folder as usual, or using specific commands/tools to preserve file permissions and metadata etc?

That should work for all your "normal" items (documents, images, videos, downloads...).
But do NOT restore the hidden files and folders (i.e. those whose names begin with a dot) present in the root of your $HOME folder; they contain configuration parameters valid for Q4OS 5 packages but that might no longer be valid for newer packages that come with Q4OS 6.

vort3 · 2025-09-13 10:43

hchiper wrote:

But do NOT restore the hidden files and folders (i.e. those whose names begin with a dot) present in the root of your $HOME folder; they contain configuration parameters valid for Q4OS 5 packages but that might no longer be valid for newer packages that come with Q4OS 6.

So I would have to set up everything (web browser, mail clients, etc. with all their data) again from scratch?

GuestStar · 2025-09-13 11:01

q4osteam wrote:

GuestStar wrote:
Dunno if it worked but at least the base is Trixie now.
It may work well. But keep in mind, Q4OS is designed to be rock solid and immutable, but not to get major upgrades. For that reason we don't recommend such a major upgrade, rather a fresh installation.
This major upgrade could pull hidden inconsistencies into various system and user configurations. These inconsistencies may lurk for a time before they may show up anytime later. So be ready for later manual interventions, don't blame Q4OS about connected issues.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I have done similar updates on Q4OS before, and I have succeeded better in the past. It was probably something with my own setup that threw some minor fits and tantrums. Like I said in my previous post, there were glitches so I did a clean install from scartch.

hchiper · 2025-09-13 11:23

vort3 wrote:

So I would have to set up everything (web browser, mail clients, etc. with all their data) again from scratch?

The Profile Manager (use the search tool in this forum) may help you for the applications.
I never tried it.
I don't know how it goes for applications installed from downloaded .deb files (for example XNviewMP).

Regarding the hidden files, what I did is to restore them one by one.

Sometimes simple (simple files in $HOME root).
Sometimes more complicated (from Q4OS 4 to 5, number of configs were moved from .configkde/ to .config/, it was the case for firefox and thunderbird profiles, and other applications).
Sometimes very complicated, for example megasync (some files need to be restored, other ones should not be restored, and in case of error, files on the cloud are deleted).

All those are among the reasons why upgrading from one major version to another one is discouraged.

vort3 · 2025-09-14 09:10

hchiper wrote:

All those are among the reasons why upgrading from one major version to another one is discouraged.

I perfectly understand why it is "discouraged". However my question wasn't if it's discouraged or not, neither was I asking if I should try and upgrade.

I was asking for a guide and a recommended way to upgrade, assuming I have a backup of all important files.

q4osteam · 2025-12-05 11:10

OP updated

Q4OS Forum

#1 2023-01-04 12:08

Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#2 2023-03-22 16:25

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#3 2023-03-22 16:49

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#4 2023-03-22 17:43

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#5 2023-03-23 06:58

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#6 2023-03-23 11:48

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#7 2023-10-26 10:17

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#8 2023-10-26 10:29

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#9 2023-10-26 12:49

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#10 2023-10-26 13:03

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#11 2023-10-27 15:47

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#12 2023-10-27 15:53

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#13 2023-11-05 16:03

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#14 2025-08-04 20:53

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#15 2025-08-19 19:02

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#16 2025-09-07 16:44

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#17 2025-09-11 08:34

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#18 2025-09-13 07:48

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#19 2025-09-13 09:14

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#20 2025-09-13 10:43

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#21 2025-09-13 11:01

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#22 2025-09-13 11:23

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#23 2025-09-14 09:10

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

#24 2025-12-05 11:10

Re: Upgrade to a newer Q4OS edition

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