# Is there a way to open old Classic projects? **URL:** \ **Category:** RapidWeaver Classic\ **Created:** [April 14, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718 "2026-04-14T22:34:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rich89MR1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/65b543/32.png) [@Rich89MR1](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Rich89MR1)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/1 "2026-04-14T22:34:54Z")
I have several projects in RW 5 and 6. When I try to open them in 9.6.8, I get a message that says it can’t be opened because the .plist files does not exist. What are my options, if any, to (update, probably, and then) open and use these projects"? ---
**Author:** ![TomM](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/tomm/32/265_2.png) [@TomM](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/TomM)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 6:29pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/2 "2026-04-15T18:29:58Z")
Can you open in RW8 ? ---
**Author:** ![Rich89MR1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/65b543/32.png) [@Rich89MR1](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Rich89MR1)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 12:00pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/3 "2026-04-16T12:00:46Z")
I actually have RW5, RW6 and RW8 on my old computer. Is there a preferred order of processing to update old files to RW9? ---
**Author:** ![Pete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Pete](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Pete)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/4 "2026-04-16T15:12:27Z")
I am still using RW 8.9.4 and no issues, so not sure you need to go up to RW 9. ---
**Author:** ![MultiThemes](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/multithemes/32/25117_2.png) [@MultiThemes](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/MultiThemes)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/5 "2026-04-16T17:55:09Z")
> [@Rich89MR1](#): > > I actually have RW5, RW6 and RW8 on my old computer. Is there a preferred order of processing to update old files to RW9? If you haven’t already, try upgrading to the next version (if you have it) and then back to the latest one, it might work. ---
**Author:** ![Rich89MR1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/65b543/32.png) [@Rich89MR1](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Rich89MR1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/6 "2026-04-18T15:53:09Z")
Are you saying open the RW5 project in RW6; then open the 6 in 8; and finally open the 8 in 9? ---
**Author:** ![robbeattie](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/robbeattie/32/78_2.png) [@robbeattie](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/robbeattie)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 6:24am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/7 "2026-04-19T06:24:37Z")
I think the big change occurred between 7 and 8. Perhaps somone from RealMac can help? ---
**Author:** ![dan](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/dan/32/28516_2.png) [@dan](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/dan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 10:25am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-open-old-classic-projects/55718/8 "2026-04-19T10:25:48Z")
We have a page in the Classic Manual that will guide you through the process: > **[Upgrade Projects | Classic Manual](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/classic-manual/user-manual/how-to/upgrade-projects)** > > Detailed information on upgrading projects to newer versions of RapidWeaver.