Like for any other major change on your computer, you better make a backup copy of your current INTERACT installation. This way, you can revert to your currently working version in case you want or need to.
Additionally, it goes without saying that you make regular backups of your logged data (the most important are the * .xiact files) wherever you store them!
Shared User Data
To open the current User data folder:
▪Click Start - File - Open 
- User data or General - Folder - User Data 
.
▪Copy this complete ..\Mangold INTERACT Data\ folder.
IMPORTANT: The INTERACT user data folder has been renamed a couple of times over time:
Since INTERACT 16, the user data folder is named Mangold INTERACT Data.
In INTERACT 14 and 15 this folder was named INTERACT_UserData2.
In INTERACT 9 and before, this folder was named INTERACT_UserData.
If required, you must copy your personal files, especially your Code Definition files and any adapted CodeArchive files, from the old user data folder into the corresponding sub-folder of the current ..\Mangold INTERACT Data\ folder.
| TIP: | It is possible to define an other location for the shared user data, as explained in INTERACT Program Settings – General. |
Application
Depending on the installation location, your INTERACT program is located:
 | On hard disc - If you installed INTERACT on your hard disc, it is probably located here: C:\Program files\Mangold INTERACT (or similar) |
▪Rename or copy this program folder to make sure its contents is not overwritten.
| On CodeMeter Stick - Regular make a backup of all files on your CodeMeter stick. |
▪Copy the folder ..\INTERACT to your hard disc.
Note: In the past, INTERACT used different files structures and file names. Therefor it is important that you backup your 'old' user files like Code Definition files (*.key or *.ikey), INTERACT documents (*.xiact, *.iact or *.act), Code Archive files (*.icar or *.csy) as well as templates or special extensions (*.ixl), so you can reclassify them into the new structure.