Tech Terms: What is the Difference between Update and Upgrade?

– Update
The word “Update” is one of the most common terms seen by Android smartphone users, as every few days, you receive a notification from the Google Play store informing you that some of the applications on your phone need updating. If you are a computer user, you may have heard of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. This term is often seen and repeated, but you still do not know the meaning. In fact, an update is simply making some changes to applications or the system you are using. Most of the time, the updates are not very large, like updates for Android phone applications. The main purpose of this process is to add and provide new features or to improve security and fix existing system vulnerabilities or support new hardware, and other simple matters that do not consume a lot of time. In most cases, updates are available for free, even if the application or system is paid for, such as Windows versions, which are usually paid for, but Microsoft releases regular updates, and all updates are free. The same goes for computer programs or applications on smartphones.
– Upgrade
The upgrade process is one of the important operations that we should perform periodically, whether it is an upgrade to an old computer, an upgrade to the basic operating system, or an upgrade to a new version of a program or application. You now know, even if just a little, the difference between the Update process and the Upgrade process. The upgrade process involves making significant changes, with the goal of transitioning from the old version to the new version, which always includes many features that were not available in the previous version. Additionally, upgrades are always large in size, and most of the time, they are paid for, requiring payment to move from the old version to the new version. For example, if you are a Windows 7 user and you upgrade to Windows 10, that is called an Upgrade. However, if you prefer to continue using Windows 7 and install the available updates for your version, that is considered an update to the system.
– Which is Better: Update or Upgrade
It is up to you. If you do not prefer the upgrade process, such as moving to the latest version of Windows or new versions of some programs or applications, you will be satisfied with the updates tailored for you to obtain some new features and fix vulnerabilities to protect your privacy. However, you should know that you must adhere to the update processes as they are very important and necessary. Upgrades are optional, just as you want. If you see some features in the new versions that you need, you can easily upgrade, but remember that upgrades are always large in size, so they will take some time.