[ORD 2020 R1] Install/Upgrade while Preserving Custom Workspace

We are in a very preliminary stage of deploying ORD. We have setup a temporary network workspace and workset location. After updating to the subject version, our custom workspace and worksets were no longer listed. I had to dig a little to find where we had modified a CFG file to enable our workspace and workset location.

We used the _USTN_CUSTOM_CONFIGURATION variable and placed it in the default location (C:\ProgramData\Bentley\OpenRoads Designer CE\Configuration\ConfigurationSetup.cfg).

If this is not the correct approach, what is?

If this is the correct approach, how do we prevent this in the future?

On a related topic, does anyone know if there is a method that can be used to control and allow users to update programs on their own. In an earlier assignment under a prior employer, there was an IT group that sent out links to accomplish this. I'd like to bring that capability to the DOT, but do not know where to start.