These instruction are pure agony.

I downloaded 1.3.7 to my PC. Unzipped it on my PC and moved a copy to my website.
I created a new database.
I backed up my current database.
I backed up my files to my PC.

all without a problem.

Then I read about Winmerge, etc and I'm perplexed, confused and totally drained.

I don't understand all this unbelieable effort to "compare" files when there are more than 200 that have changes. And then I have to make all these changes??????????? WHAT IS THE OVERRIDE SYSTEM FOR??????????

When I started with ZENCART everything I read said be sure to set up copies of all files I change in a backup directory (for "overriding changes made by a new version upgrade.") so I can just move them back in after upgrading.
Is that correct or am I imagining that that is the purpose of override files and directory.

AM I CONFUSED OR???

SOMEONE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE TO MAKE MANUAL CHANGES TO 200+ FILES.

Thanks

PS. If 200 plus files need to be changed than it makes sense to upgrade once every 5+ yrs to not have to lose my mind.