I found # this question about installing older versions, but my question is a little different. We are currently running 2024.5 in my lab, but I see there were some important updates and would like to install the newest version. After I update it, will I still be able to use 2024.5 and how can I make sure there are no issues with having both versions?
Yes!
Each version of Qiime will be installed to it's own conda environment.
For example, here is what I have installed on my laptop now:
(base) cbrisl@CB-MacBook-Air ~ % conda info -e
# conda environments:
#
# * -> active
# + -> frozen
base * /Users/cbrisl/miniforge3
qiime2-amplicon-2025.10 /Users/cbrisl/miniforge3/envs/qiime2-amplicon-2025.10
qiime2-amplicon-2025.4 /Users/cbrisl/miniforge3/envs/qiime2-amplicon-2025.4
qiime2-amplicon-2025.7 /Users/cbrisl/miniforge3/envs/qiime2-amplicon-2025.7
r25 /Users/cbrisl/miniforge3/envs/r25
Then I can run conda activate qiime2-amplicon-2025.4 to use that version of Qiime2.