Author Topic: Updating Prepar3D v4 using the Update Component Installers  (Read 3312 times)

poppet

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Updating Prepar3D v4 using the Update Component Installers
« on: August 14, 2017, 06:38:17 PM »
Introduction

A Step by Step Guide to update Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D v4 using the Update Component Installers

This is the Same process as the previous version "v3" with the exception of Requiring to activate Prepar3D v3 again after a Client update.

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When minor updates are released for Prepar3D v4, there are two options available to update Prepar3D v4.  The recommended method is simply updating using the Client installer.  This is the quickest and least error prone. When you uninstall the Client, you will be prompted about whether or not you wish to deactivate Prepar3D. You can choose “No” if you are simply updating the same machine and, therefore, will not have to reactivate once the reinstall is finished.

You can also update by doing a complete uninstall and reinstall of the entire application, but often that is not necessary or desired

Note: You must have already installed the full Prepar3D v4  application in order to update just the client


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We have 3 Component Installers,  Client, Content and Scenery

The Client component is all that is Required to update Prepar3D v4 to a more recent version   

The Content and Scenery component's are Optional update's each of which may have additional changes with minor update's.


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INDEX

1) Updating Prepar3D v4 to a more recent version (Client update)

2) Confirming the Client update was successful

3) Actions to take after you update the Client (Optional)

4) 3rd Party Software (Add On's) after a Client update

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5)  Updating the Content component

6)  Updating the Scenery component

7)  Additional Information

               
Please Note: Insure you temporarily Disable your Antivirus Software and the User Account Control (UAC) before you begin the updating process

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1) Updating Prepar3D v4 to a more recent version (Client update)

Note: You must Uninstall the existing Client first before you Install the new Client

To uninstall the existing Client..........

Navigate to your Control Panel,  Right Click on Prepar3D v4 Academic \ Professional Client,  Click Uninstall






This box will appear,  Click Yes to Uninstall the Client






You will now be given an option to "deactivate Prepar3D v4 or not "

If you are simply updating the Client, You can choose “No” Your Prepar3D license will stay active, therefore you will not have to reactivate once the update is finished.







Next, Sign into your Prepar3D Purchased Downloads fill out the Customer Account Information with your Email address and Account Password

Click the little + to expand the Component Installers. 

The Client is a stand alone Installer, Click on Install_Client.msi to Download this file. 






After the download has completed, Navigate to your PC Downloads

Right Click on the new Install_Client.msi Click Install







Go through the prompted steps to Install the new Client





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2) Confirming the Client update was successful

You can confirm a successful Client update by Launching Prepar3D v4

Click Help > About Lockheed Martin, Here you can confirm you have the most recent version of Prepar3D v4

By completing a Client update you have now updated Prepar3D v4 to a more recent version




You can also check and confirm the Client version number in your Control Panel



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3) Actions to take after you update the Client (Optional)

These actions are recommended But not required

Delete the Prepar3D.cfg file and the Shaders folder after you update with the Client

Note: This file and folder will generated again when you launch Prepar3D

These actions will not effect your 3rd Party Software (Add On's),   You will need to readjust your graphic and scenery settings to your preference again via Prepar3D > Options after you delete the Prepar3D.cfg file


Right click and delete the Prepar3D.cfg file and the Shaders folder,  These will generate again when you launch Prepar3D 

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Local Disk (C:) ► Users ► You ► AppData ► Roaming ► Lockheed Martin ► Prepar3D v4 - Prepar3D.cfg

Local Disk (C:) ► Users ► You ► AppData ► Local ► Lockheed Martin ► Prepar3D v4 -  Shaders
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To locate this file and folder, Insure the box is Ticked for  Show hidden files, folders and drives in File Explorer Options


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4) 3rd Party Software (Add On's)  after a Client update

Completing a Client Update will mostly effect Utilities like Active Sky Next, Active Sky 2016, FSUIPC, Flight1 GTN 750\650, SODE, Chaseplane and EZdok Just to name a few.

In most cases Software Developers will be releasing Updates to there Programs\Utilities to coincide with the release of a new Client update

Check the support forums for the "Add On" in question for news and updates



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5)  Updating the Content component

Note: Both the Content and Scenery component's are Optional Updates

You must Uninstall the existing Content component first before you Install the new Content

To uninstall the existing Content......

Navigate to your Control panel,  Right Click on Prepar3D v4 Content,  Click Uninstall







The Content component files are bigger in size (2.5 gig)   

A Download Manager is Recommended to aid in a successful download

The following 3 files outlined in red are required to run the Content update.

Click on each of the files to download,  Cont1.cab, Cont2.cab, Install_Content.msi    






After the download has completed, Navigate to your PC Downloads

Insure all 3 files are in the same folder (location)

Right Click on Install_Content.msi Click Install,  Go through the prompted steps to Install the new Content update 
 



You can confirm a successful Content update by checking the Content version number   in your Control Panel

Note: Completing a Content Update will possible overwrite files like effects, Simobjects, sounds and textures that have been Modified by 3rd Party Software (Add On's)

For any questions you may have regarding a Content update please visit your 3rd party software support Forums



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6)  Updating the Scenery component

Due to the size of the Scenery files, If you would also like to update the Scenery component as well as the Client and Content it is highly recommended to download the complete Prepar3D v4 file to your computer and then complete the updating process

Use a  Download Manager to download the complete Prepar3D v4 file to aid in a successful download

Click on the Prepar3D Academic \ Professional Link to download in full







You need to Extract the Zipped folder Before you complete the update

Use a tool like 7zip to extract the Zipped folder,  The 7zip tool will Inform you if your download has not completed successful







After you Extract the zipped file you will now have the complete Prepar3D v4 application downloaded to your PC

You can now Install the Scenery component by Right clicking on Install_Scenery.msi click Install

As you now have the full Prepar3D v4 file you can Install any of the component Installers by following the steps in this tutorial





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7)  Additional Information

The 3 component Installers Client, Content and Scenery have a total of 18 yellow folders in your core Prepar3D v4 folder.

You can see below as to what folders are removed and updated during the update process

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Install_ Client.msi  -  Licences, propdefs, Scaleform, ShadersHLSL, trinton
 
Install_ Content.msi  -  Scripts, redist, SimObjects, Weather, Scenarios, Ecosystem, Fonts, Autogen, Effects, gauges, Sound, Texture
 
Install_ Scenery.msi  -  Scenery
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Elaine Dixon

jeff3163

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Re: Updating Prepar3D v4 using the Update Component Installers
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2017, 08:17:43 PM »
Thanks Poppet.  Holy cow, what a great post.  Greatly appreciated.   8)

( ??? Have you been formally welcomed to the forum yet?  I don't remember seeing you in the introductions thread.)  Welcome to the forum, Elaine!  ;)
« Last Edit: August 14, 2017, 08:22:18 PM by jeff3163 »

Win10Pro64, MSFS 1.25.9.0, P3Dv4.3.29.25520, AMD Ryzen7 1800X@3.6 GHz , 32Gb RAM, GTX 1080 Ti, 2x42" Vizio Monitors, HTC Vive VR HMD, Saitek Yoke/Pedals/trim wheel, XBox360 Controller, G27 steering wheel w/shifter+pedals. :P

stiletto2

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Re: Updating Prepar3D v4 using the Update Component Installers
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2017, 09:30:17 PM »
Hi Elaine,

Yes, welcome.  I now see that you have posted 3 different guides on Installing P3dV4, Uninstalling P3Dv4 and Updating P3Dv4 Components in 3 different posts.  Once Doug is back in the saddle this information can be transferred to the beta RTMM and Prepar3Dv4 information location that he has started to create.

Again, thanks so much for the great guides!

Rod

corbu1

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Re: Updating Prepar3D v4 using the Update Component Installers
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2017, 05:12:10 AM »
Poppet,
thank you very much for these great p3dv4 guides........


P3Dv5.2HF1,ASP3D,MV WR,FirefighterX,OVRtoolkit,FreeAirMap;RXP GTN, VRK
i9 10900K;32GB3600RAM;Strix3090;SSD 970EvoPlus500GB Win10;SSD 970EvoPlus2TB P3D;SSD 970EvoPlus2TB XPlane;SSD 860Evo1TB DCS;HDD 4TB;VivePro;HOTASWarthog;Komodo Pedals

poppet

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Re: Updating Prepar3D v4 using the Update Component Installers
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2017, 05:01:05 PM »
Hello guys

Thank you for the kind words

Yes I popped in last year to say hello and I got a very warm welcome Indeed 

You's have a great site here
Elaine Dixon