Problem Description:

Up through previous version upgrades (e.g., 2023 → 2024), user preferences could simply be carried over to the new version by copying the prefs directory. Since MicroStation 2026, this no longer works – preferences are no longer correctly picked up or recognized when copied over.

Based on my own research, this approach was apparently never officially intended as a supported migration path, but had worked in practice for years regardless. Users now have to manually reconfigure their individual settings (e.g., tool configurations, toolbars, personal customizations) with every version upgrade, which represents a significant recurring effort, especially for larger teams with regular version updates.

Suggestion:

An official migration tool that reads user preferences from an older MicroStation version and automatically converts them into a format compatible with the new version (example: importing user preferences from MicroStation 2025 into MicroStation 2026).

Benefit:

• Significant time savings during version upgrades, especially for CAD administrators managing rollouts for multiple users

• Avoids frustration and productivity loss from manual reconfiguration

• Consistent, traceable migration instead of unofficial "workarounds"