Overview
Typically, when you install a new version of the Second Life Viewer, you can simply install over your existing version. However, if you are experiencing problems, one of the first things to do is completely uninstall your current version and reinstall the same or a newer version. Sometimes this is referred to as a clean install.
A clean install may help if there is an unusual issue affecting the Viewer user interface (UI), or if a Resident is having difficulty loading UI elements such as windows or menus. It can also be done to restore lost settings or return things to a default setup, if somehow the settings in the Viewer have changed or become unusuable. It doesn't usually hurt and can sometimes fix things that otherwise defy explanation.
It's important to clear out temporary Second Life files (such as the cache) when reinstalling.
Backing up your user settings and preferences
One of the reasons to do a clean install of the Second Life Viewer is to fix problems that might be caused by user settings, but if you'd like to keep a backup of your current settings 'just in case', you can do that prior to your clean installation. Your user settings and preferences are saved in a local folder on your computer. This is how your viewer knows what preferences to use when it loads -- everything from your Graphics Preferences to your Privacy Settings are saved there. Before you do a clean install, you may wish to back-up these settings. Your text chat logs are also stored in a folder, which has the same name as your avatar, and if you'd like to save them, you can do so at the same time.
The first step is to locate your SecondLife directory (or folder). This is where your user_settings
folder can be found, as well as your avatar name folder.
Finding your settings folder in Windows
The folder is usually located at C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming
. If you install Second Life in a different location, the path is different. In any case, to get to the right place:
- In Windows Explorer, click the Start Button.
-
In the search field, type
%appdata%
and press Enter ↵.- In Windows 7, it's labeled "Search programs and files"
- In Windows 10, you can access it by right-clicking the Start Button and choosing Search
-
In the window that appears, open the
SecondLife
folder. -
Inside the Second Life folder, right-click the
user_settings
folder and choose Copy - Navigate to a different folder (or directory) and click Paste. (You can also right-click on your Desktop and paste the folder there, which can make it easier to find later).
-
Repeat this process for your avatar name folder. Your folder will be named something like
governor.linden
. For simplicity, copy this folder to the same location you used for the user_settings folder.
Finding your settings folder on a Mac
By default, Mac OS X tends to keep the Library folder hidden. If you're having trouble, open Finder > Go and hold down the Option key; then click Library. From here, you can see the Application Support directory. The SecondLife folder is located inside.-
The
user_settings
folder is located at:~Library/Application Support/SecondLife
-
Inside the Second Life folder, right-click (or control-click) the
user_settings
folder and choose Copy -
Navigate to a different folder (or directory) and click Paste.
- You can also right-click on your Desktop and paste the folder there, which can make it easier to find later.
-
Repeat this process for your avatar name folder. Your folder will be named something like
governor.linden
. For simplicity, copy this folder to the same location you used for the user_settings folder.
Procedure
The procedure to use for a clean uninstall and reinstall depends on your operating system:
Windows 7
-
Open
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local
and delete the contents of yourTemp
folder and theSecondLife
folder. - Uninstall Second Life using the Programs and Features tool in the Windows Control Panel.
- Download and install the latest release of the Second Life Viewer from http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/.
If you can't see the files or folders described above:
- In Windows Explorer, choose Organize > Folder and Search Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
- Click OK.
Windows 10
-
Open
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local and delete the contents of the Second Life folder.
-
Open C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming and delete the contents of the Second Life folder.
-
Uninstall Second Life using the Apps and Features tool in Windows Settings.
- Download and install the latest release of the Second Life Viewer from http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/.
If you can't see the files or folders described above in File Explorer:
- In File Explorer, click the View tab.
- Make sure the Hidden items checkbox is selected.
Mac OS
- Open Your Mac's Applications folder and find the Second Life Viewer Icon
-
Drag and Drop the Icon from the applications folder into the trash bin
- You can also (⌘)CMD-Click (right click) and choose Move To Trash
- In Finder, select Go from the top menu bar
- Select the Library folder. If it's not visible on the Go menu list, hold the ALT key to make it visible.
-
Open
~/Library/Caches/SecondLife
and move the contents of the folder to the Trash to complete uninstallation.