Back up data and installed programs using mintBackup, overwrite the existing installation with the latest Mint, restore backups. Customisation must be redone, and any software not from the repositories must be reinstalled (e.g., settings in /etc and software in /opt and /usr/local). This is said to be safe, fast, reliable, and easy. The resulting system may differ in appearance or behaviour from the earlier one. If there are new hardware incompatibility or other issues, the previous version can be reinstalled.