BI v5 to v6 update guide?

C

Corvus85

Getting the hang of it
Aug 18, 2021
594
89
Australia
Hey all,

Is there a guide for moving a BI v5 install to v6?
I know there's a big difference in features, but I'm hoping v6 can use and import my BI backup config file and apply it to all relevant settings.
Also, I haven't really been keeping up with the changes over the last couple of years to BI (I've mainly just set it and forget it). I'm assuming that some of the long-held wisdom has now changed as a result? Is there an updated 'first time setup' checklist I can go through?
Thanks for any help.
 
To upgrade Blue Iris 5 to Blue Iris 6, you must manually run a full installer rather than using the built-in automatic updater, as the software transitions to a new installation directory (C:\Program Files\Blue Iris) and updates core Microsoft libraries. Your existing Blue Iris 5 license key will automatically transition and remain valid, provided you have an active support and maintenance plan. [1, 2, 3]
Follow this sequence to ensure a smooth, problem-free upgrade:

1. Verify Maintenance Plan
  • Open Blue Iris 5 and navigate to Settings > About tab.
  • Check that your Support and Maintenance status is active.
  • If it has expired, select Upgrade/renew to purchase a maintenance plan before proceeding. [1]

  • 2. Back Up Your Current Settings
    • In the Blue Iris 5 settings, click Export settings to save a local backup registry file (.reg).
    • Note: While the v6 installer usually detects and imports your settings automatically, this backup protects your camera configurations in case of a migration error. [1, 2, 3, 4]

  • 3. Stop the Blue Iris 5 Windows Service
    • Open the Windows Start Menu, type Services, and press Enter.
    • Locate Blue Iris in the list, right-click it, and select Stop.
    • Right-click it again, select Properties, and change the Startup Type from Automatic to Manual or Disabled. This prevents version 5 from automatically launching in the background. [1, 2]
  • 4. Install Blue Iris 6
    • Download the official setup file from the Blue Iris Download Page.
    • Run the executable installer.
    • Allow the installer to update your Microsoft Visual Studio C++ redistributable libraries if prompted.
    • Follow the setup wizard to complete the installation. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • 5. Verify and Clean Up
    • Launch Blue Iris 6. Your cameras, settings, license key, and clips should carry over immediately.
    • Restart your computer to finalize system background tasks.
    • Once you confirm version 6 is fully functional, open Windows Add or Remove Programs and safely uninstall Blue Iris 5 to free up disk space.
    • Delete any leftover legacy Blue Iris 5 folders on your C:\ drive. [1, 2, 3]

  • ⚠️ Post-Upgrade Optimization Tip
    Because version 6 relocates the software to C:\Program Files\Blue Iris, your previous antivirus exclusions will no longer apply. Go into Windows Defender (or your third-party antivirus) and add an exclusion for the new Blue Iris folder. Failing to do this can cause severe CPU spikes up to 100% as the antivirus attempts to scan live video database files. [1, 2, 3]
 
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There was/is an installer infinite loop for the Microsoft .NET or Visual studio C++ early on....Not sure if it got resolved.
I think you can intercede by not proceeding with the installation, or skipping it....I can't remember
but there is thread here where people talked about it.
 
Last edited:
Flintstone61 said:
To upgrade Blue Iris 5 to Blue Iris 6, you must manually run a full installer rather than using the built-in automatic updater, as the software transitions to a new installation directory (C:\Program Files\Blue Iris) and updates core Microsoft libraries. Your existing Blue Iris 5 license key will automatically transition and remain valid, provided you have an active support and maintenance plan. [1, 2, 3]
Follow this sequence to ensure a smooth, problem-free upgrade:

1. Verify Maintenance Plan
  • Open Blue Iris 5 and navigate to Settings > About tab.
  • Check that your Support and Maintenance status is active.
  • If it has expired, select Upgrade/renew to purchase a maintenance plan before proceeding. [1]

  • 2. Back Up Your Current Settings
    • In the Blue Iris 5 settings, click Export settings to save a local backup registry file (.reg).
    • Note: While the v6 installer usually detects and imports your settings automatically, this backup protects your camera configurations in case of a migration error. [1, 2, 3, 4]

  • 3. Stop the Blue Iris 5 Windows Service
    • Open the Windows Start Menu, type Services, and press Enter.
    • Locate Blue Iris in the list, right-click it, and select Stop.
    • Right-click it again, select Properties, and change the Startup Type from Automatic to Manual or Disabled. This prevents version 5 from automatically launching in the background. [1, 2]
  • 4. Install Blue Iris 6
    • Download the official setup file from the Blue Iris Download Page.
    • Run the executable installer.
    • Allow the installer to update your Microsoft Visual Studio C++ redistributable libraries if prompted.
    • Follow the setup wizard to complete the installation. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • 5. Verify and Clean Up
    • Launch Blue Iris 6. Your cameras, settings, license key, and clips should carry over immediately.
    • Restart your computer to finalize system background tasks.
    • Once you confirm version 6 is fully functional, open Windows Add or Remove Programs and safely uninstall Blue Iris 5 to free up disk space.
    • Delete any leftover legacy Blue Iris 5 folders on your C:\ drive. [1, 2, 3]

  • ⚠️ Post-Upgrade Optimization Tip
    Because version 6 relocates the software to C:\Program Files\Blue Iris, your previous antivirus exclusions will no longer apply. Go into Windows Defender (or your third-party antivirus) and add an exclusion for the new Blue Iris folder. Failing to do this can cause severe CPU spikes up to 100% as the antivirus attempts to scan live video database files. [1, 2, 3]
Click to expand...
Thanks, much appreciated.

Does it even function the same way? For instance, I know it has built-in AI, but I'm currently using CP.ai, and relying on motion detection to trigger it.
Is this still the same methodology? Does v6 allow you to completely bypass motion detection in favor of AI detection? Or does it have a significant resource cost?
Are there any updates to the official Android app or UI3?
 
You can leave the Blue Iris motion as it was, and AI will use that trigger to analyze the clip.
You have options in the new version select your CPAI already running, or use the Bi version,
You can select how Blue iris AI uses the computer to process data.
1784545543838.png
 
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Corvus85 said:
Thanks, much appreciated.

Does it even function the same way? For instance, I know it has built-in AI, but I'm currently using CP.ai, and relying on motion detection to trigger it.
Is this still the same methodology? Does v6 allow you to completely bypass motion detection in favor of AI detection? Or does it have a significant resource cost?
Are there any updates to the official Android app or UI3?
Click to expand...
@bp2008
 
I found the instructions your seeing with an AI mode google search.
and having installed v 6 twice, It appears to be the correct steps to get up and going.
I used the "IPCAMTALK- Hey lets click on this and see what happens" method.
 
Flintstone61 said:
I found the instructions your seeing with an AI mode google search.
and having installed v 6 twice, It appears to be the correct steps to get up and going.
I used the "IPCAMTALK- Hey lets click on this and see what happens" method.
Click to expand...
As fun as that sounds, I simply don't have the time to do the whole 'trial by fire' method and break things unnecessarily.
Surely there's an updated 'getting started' guide?
 
the Google Ai instructions are comprehensive and perfect.
I installed days or hours after v 6 became available, and there wasn't much info at the time.
 
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