Windows 10 app vs downloaded Arduino app.

merkelck

New member
I am brand new to the Teensy and would like to know what to do regarding the windows app. Do I uninstall it and then install direct version? Or just install the direct version over the windows app? I have a large amount of working sketches that I don't want to lose control of if I do away with the windows version. I am at the warning about in the the teensyduino app and am not going any further without some guidance. I am an old geezer and I can't tolerate too many workarounds. Any and all ideas appreciated, please?
Kent M
 
You need either the "Windows Installer, for Windows XP and up" or "Windows ZIP file for non admin install". Both of those work well.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

The "Windows app Requires Win 8.1 or 10" version does not work at all for Teensy.

Before you do anything else, make sure you've backed up all important files. That's just ordinary generic computing advice. If you don't have a system of regular backups, do yourself a huge favor and make sure you copy everything important onto a flash memory stick or portable hard drive.

Now, about Arduino, having only 1 copy on your PC is simplest. If you want simple, go with the installer.

Arduino is designed to allow more than 1 copy. That's what the non-admin zip file is all about. Beyond that, Arduino has a special "portable" mode where a copy of Arduino becomes completely self contained, not using any other files or config on your computer.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/PortableIDE

Teensyduino does support the portable mode. If you want to have a copy that you use for Teensy and not have it affect the other stuff on your PC in any way, extract the ZIP file and set it up for portable mode *before* you run the Teensyduino installer to add Teensy's stuff into that copy. Then it will all live completely isolated in that folder, not connected to any of the other Arduino stuff on your PC.

The downside to multiple copies is complexity. Many people who do this end up later getting confused. Usually the problems come in when they click on a file which causes Windows to open Arduino automatically. But which copy gets opened? The look alike. You can click Help > About to get the version, and if Teensyduino is present you'll see its info. But even that takes awareness and some diligence to remember you have multiple copies that look alike, but support different boards.
 
You need either the "Windows Installer, for Windows XP and up" or "Windows ZIP file for non admin install". Both of those work well.

Thank you for the prompt response. I didn't even get a change to take a nap! I will peruse this material and get this setup asap.
regards
Kent M
 
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