Migrating photos and settings from Elements 13 to Elements 15

There are two different situations:

1 - You simply install the new Elements version on the same computer which contains your old Elements version and your image folder tree(s):

The old Elements version still works and nothing is changed in your image folder tree.

When you install the new Elements version, you are prompted to 'convert' your catalog; that means your catalog is 'converted' to the new version. The new catalog has the same name as the old one; the old one is renamed with a -1 suffix and is still recognized by the old Elements version.

Create and edit catalogs in Adobe Elements Organizer

2 - You migrate to a new computer (or new drive...)

Then the correct procedure is to create a full backup on an external drive and to restore it on the new computer. That recreates the image folder tree, the catalog and that converts the catalog if needed.

Move Elements Organizer catalog | Elements 6 or later

Moving this discussion to the Photoshop Elements forum.

Margaretar50 you can install both Photoshop Elements 15 and Photoshop Elements 13 on the same computer.  The same for Premiere Elements.

I moved your discussion to the Photoshop Elements community as they will have additional suggestions on how you can move your photos, groups, and classifications from Photoshop Elements 13 to Photoshop Elements 15.

uninstalling previous versions won't uninstall your edited/created files, including photos.

when you install an upgrade, either the previous version needs to be installed OR you will be prompted to select a qualifying version that you own (eg v. 13) and you will then be prompted for its (v. 13's) serial number.

so, you can uninstall your v 13 software, but you don't have to and, if you do uninstall, make sure you have your v 13 serial numbers secured.