Due to the release cycle i think many folk [like me] store their data
on a remote drive and then have a list of all their customisation in a
text file. Each install wipes the disk. There is then no fear of
deleting valuable data and the text file list allows one to install a
new version quite quickly.

I do annual April updates - as i find the LTS in the second year
rather out of date. Six monthly is too frequent for me and bi-annual
not frequent enough.