What Are Updates and Upgrades ?

Upgrade

An update is an enhancement, improvement or modification to existing software and does not replace the existing software. An upgrade replaces the existing software product or application with a newer version of the same product.

The upgrade process typically leaves existing data and preferences intact. Software products are given names/numbers to identify them and upgrade results in a change of product number/name.

For example the latest version of Microsoft Outlook Express is Microsoft Outlook Express version 6.0 which is an upgrade to the earlier Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5, 5.0.4.0 versions.

It is always good practise to do a full system backup or at least an email backup before an update or upgrade, just in case something goes wrong.

Updates

An update or patch is software that is created in response to a specific issue (commonly called a bug). Software updates can be updates for the operating system itself or updates to an application (software program) like Microsoft Outlook Express.

An Outlook Express update is an update that only affects Outlook Express. Updates, in general, can be divided into two classes critical or non-critical.

Critical updates

Critical updates are usually security related and are also called security patches or security updates. Critical/security updates maybe operating system related or application specific e.g. Outlook Express updates.

 Whether critical updates apply to your operating system, applications (software programs), or hardware, it is important that they are applied as soon as they are available. Critical updates would be issued , for example, in response to new virus /hacking exploits and vulnerabilities. Not implementing new critical updates can leave you seriously exposed !

Non-critical updates

Non-critical updates either operating system or product, are written to correct issues, such as improving performance, extending product functionality etc.

By not applying non-critical software updates you may not have access to certain features but your system or application i.e. Outlook Express is not vulnerable to a known security flaw.

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