About Software Upgrades

Computer company employees (programmers) are constantly improving their software to fix old problems and add new functions. To organize the changes, the programmers assign version numbers to their software.

Every software program has  a version number. The first time the software program is created, its version is usually called "Version 1.0," such as "Microsoft Word for Windows Version 1.0" or "Acrobat Reader Version 1.0."

When programmers make minor changes or corrections to the software, they usually change the number after the period, such as "Version 1.1" or "Version 1.01."

When they make major improvements to the software, they change the number in front of the period, such as "Version 2.0" or "Version 3." Sometimes these major improvements get new names as well. For example, "Windows Version 5" is also known as "Windows XP" and Windows Version 6 is also known as "Windows Vista."

How to Find Version Numbers

In most cases, you can identify the version of your software by clicking "Help" and "About . . ." For example, "About Internet Explorer" or "About Netscape." You can see the version number of the software you are currently using right now by clicking "Help" in the menu at the top of this screen and then click the "About . . ." line. If you are using Internet Explorer and you click "Help," you will then click "About Internet Explorer." You will then see your version numbers, such as "Version 6.0."

If you minimize this window and open your Adobe Acrobat software, you can click "Help" and "About Acrobat Reader" to see your version number. To use the free e-booklet, "How to Set Exciting Goals You Can Reach" you need Version 5.0 or higher. Version 7.0 will work best.

Fees for Upgrading Your Software

Major version upgrades usually cost money. For example, if you buy Windows XP, you pay $199, but if you upgrade from Windows 98 (Version 4) to Windows XP (Version 5), you pay $99.

Minor version upgrades are usually free, such as Version 6.0 to Version 6.1.

Upgrading free software is always free. Free software includes Adobe Reader, Internet Explorer, Netscape and others.

How to Upgrade Your Software

1. Identify your current version number. For example, open your Adobe Reader program and check which version you have and then close Adobe Reader. If you do not have the software program, you still follow the steps below for downloading and installing it.

2. Go to the company's website. For Adobe, go to its download page which is http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html. Ensure the new version is newer than the version you have on your computer.

3. Find the correct upgrade file for your computer. For Adobe Reader, you select your Language, your Platform (such as Windows XP) and your Connection speed (either speed will work).

4. You follow the website instructions to download the new version of the software. When it asks you where to save the file, write down the file name and put it somewhere on your computer where you can find it later.

5. After the file is downloaded (saved) to your computer, you can close the website and go open the file. To open the file with Windows, you open Explorer (Right-click on "Start" and then click "Explore). Find the file you just downloaded and double-click (quickly click it twice).

6. The software program will then start up. Follow the instructions.

7. You can then open and use the new software.