# Multiple installs of Processing

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/multiple-installs-of-processing/44457>\
**Category:** Processing\
**Created:** [May 20, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/multiple-installs-of-processing/44457 "2024-05-20T16:38:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mario60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@mario60](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mario60)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/multiple-installs-of-processing/44457/1 "2024-05-20T16:38:39Z")

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A very simple question:  
If I install two or more versions of Processing (say 3.5.4 and 4.3), how do I get separate sketchbook folders? And how do I get different desktop shortcuts and menu items? As far I see, what I install later overwrites what is already there. I am on a Fedora 39 machine. Do I need to hack install.sh?  
Thanks

EDIT. Within `Processing 3.5.4 / install.sh`, change a line as to have `RESOURCE_NAME=processing-3-pde`.  
Similarly, rename as to have `lib/processing-3-pde.xml`, and `sketchbook3`.  
Within `home/../.processing` , add

```auto
sketchbook.path.four=/home/.../sketchbook4 (for 4.3)
sketchbook.path.three=/home/.../sketchbook3

```

Run the modified `Processing 3.5.4 / install.sh`.  
It should work.

(note to developers, different versions should be shipped with versioned `install.sh` files as to let install multiple versions without any overwriting)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/multiple-installs-of-processing/44457/2 "2024-05-20T16:58:55Z")

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> [@I cannot change Sketchbook folder](https://discourse.processing.org/t/i-cannot-change-sketchbook-folder/40629/6):
>
> File "%AppData%\Processing\preferences.txt" is where Processing looks up its configuration. Among them we have properties such as these 3: sketchbook.path= sketchbook.path.three= sketchbook.path.four= Which determines the each “Sketchbook” path for Processing versions 2, 3 & 4 respectively. Again, have utmost care when upgrading Processing to a major version, as not to mix those paths! Otherwise libraries, modes and tools will conflict w/ each other due to major version incompatibility!

> [@Sample code to create SVG file, using Processing 4.1.1 with Python mode](https://discourse.processing.org/t/sample-code-to-create-svg-file-using-processing-4-1-1-with-python-mode/43828/4):
>
> Recently I’ve moved my “processing-3.5.4” app folder from a Win 8.1 laptop to another 1 w/ Win 10 and it works the same. However, b/c you also have Processing 4, you’re gonna need to have separate sketchbook folders for both P3 & P4. Here’s a way to do it on Windows: 1st, close all running Processing instances, so they won’t overwrite the “preferences.txt” file we’re gonna edit later. Go to folder %USERPROFILE%\Documents and create a subfolder named code or another name of your liking. …