How to upgrade new version of Eclipse instead of using new downloaded package?

Question

I am looking for steps to upgrade my current Eclipse version (Mars) to latest version (Oxygen) because I have been using Mars for past long time so that contains all the settings, plugins and all the histories so I would like to retain the same and also upgrade to new version.

Is this possible?

Note: It can be any type of Eclipse for any kind of development like Java, C/C++, PHP, JavaScript and Testers.

Answer 1

1. In Window > Preferences: Install/Update > Available Software Site make sure that the Latest Eclipse Simultaneous Release (or Latest Eclipse Release) update site exists and is checked. Otherwise (in older versions or when this update site has been removed in newer versions), click Add..., enter the update site location https://download.eclipse.org/releases/latest and click OK.
2. Help > Check for Updates

See also Eclipse Wiki - FAQ How do I upgrade Eclipse IDE?

Answer 2

I don't think updating from Update Site will update the eclipse.ini file: you need to fix it.

-startup
plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.4.0.v20161219-1356.jar
--launcher.library    plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.win32.win32.x86_64_1.1.500.v20170531-1133

However, if you simply want to keep your preferences and your plugin, I suggest you to use Eclipse for that:

In Oxygen.1 (or the updated Eclipse), you can install feature/plugins

1. using an existing installation (go to File > Import then select *Install > From Existing Installation)
2. using an exported software item (go to File > Import then select *Install > Install Software Items from File)

For the second option, you need to export it first on the previous Eclipse using File > Export > Install > Installed Software Items to File.

Note: the Eclipse directory store little configuration (at least, it store the known workspaces/update site). This link here might be of interest.

Answer 3

This might be useful.

https://wiki.eclipse.org/FAQ_How_do_I_upgrade_Eclipse_IDE%3F

There are some package structural changes from Eclipse Neon.