Is updating Lightroom to latest version the same as reinstalling it?

[3d Eye]

I get terrible performance from LR.  I keep it updated.  If I don't use it for a few days, it's speed is reasonable, but after a short session in Develop, especially using healing brush, it starts to slow down, gets very slow, then freezes.  I try the usual restarts of LR and the Mac OS 10.9 computer, optimizing catalog, repairing disk permissions, but nothing helps.  Strangely, after I give up and shut everything down, if I open LR back up to start fresh, the slow, slow condition is still there, and can last for a day or so.  Then it slowly goes back to normal.  It happens with tools other than healing brush, too.   (This happens with Photoshop, too.)

An "expert" advised me to reinstall LR (and PS). 

My question: when I update LR or PS using the Creative Cloud, is that the same as reinstalling them?

If it's not the same, how do I reinstall?

By the way, is my slowdown problem common?  If so, are there known solutions?

MacPro 2009,  OSX 10.9.5,  16 gig Ram,  Nvidia Geforce GT120 (LR does not use the GPU. I think it's too old)

Thanks for any help.

[99jon]

What version are you running? To find out go to:

Help >> System Info

I think Mac OS 10.9 can only be updated to 2015.1 or 2015.1.1

If you wish to start over you will need to uninstall and then re-install.

Launch Finder and go to Applications >> Utilities >> Adobe Installers

Uninstall Adobe Lightroom

Re-boot your mac, and then go to the link below to download LR6

After installation you can download the update patch applicable to your OS, but start with the main download (727 mb for Mac).

Install Photoshop Lightroom

[3d Eye]

I have Lightroom 2015.8.

For the type of slow performance problem I described, does reinstalling LR typically help it perform better?

[99jon]

I'm surprised you were able to install the 2015.8 update on your system? Are you sure you have OSX 10.9?

[3d Eye]

Yes, I have LR 2015.8 on two computers running os x 10.9.5.

Only the older computer, the MacPro 2009 has trouble with slow LR.

[99jon]

It could be some incompatibility issue. If you look at the system requirements at the link I posted it states macOS 10.12, 10.11, or 10.10

It's really up to you to decide if you wish to roll-back to the earlier features.