as i did say in my post, i know that some, if not all, of the layout can be made the same as 3.x.
However, due to a number of different things going on, I do re-installs rather frequently. Different motherboards, video cards, you name it. So, when it comes down to it, i want to do as little as possible with things like ff. making 1 or 2 changes to 3.x v unknown number of changes to 4.x/5.
then you include extensions, that's a whole new matter.

if anyone would be willing to explain a bit on how to go to a newer version, yet keep my extensions, layout, etc, with as little time/effort as possible, i might give the new versions a try.

so before you go out saying people are lazy and all that BS, maybe actually take a minute to think, things aren't the same for everyone.