As I understood I need to clean Freelancer Discovery 4.85 from my PC before I start the instalation for 4.86. If I delete 4.85, what will happen to my characters ? Will they be deleted and how can I save them ?
You don't necessarily need to uninstall 4.85 from your PC, you simply need to have a fresh, clean install of the original Freelancer installed. Best way to do that is inserting your original FL CD and install it. After you have DLed 4.86 you simply need to follow the instructions as your files will be replaced automatically. Your characters should not be affected by this. Given that you use FAM to store your accounts, they will simply switch to the new FL directory and you will therefore be able to use them for 4.86. To make sure you don't lose your characters you should save them as file on your computer.
I'm kinda panicking over this too, but I have no adf or xml files or whatever and I'm absolute confused and frustrated about how I'm supposed to use stuff and ARGH...