If I download ANY new software --

Does the new software, let's say Adobe Acrobat Pro, automatically overwrite and replace the cooresponding files of the old one? Sorry, I'm not sure how exactly to word it. I just don't want an older version of a software to exist alongside a newer one, taking up space on my HD.

 

usually its best to uninstall unless the installer itself has a built in function to remove the old one first

 

All major apps such as from adobe, microsoft etc. will overwrite or inform you that it will first uninstall the older version. The lesser known apps, mainly the freeware, will not, so as soullesschild said you should uninstall in such cases if you're worried about HD space.

 

I have had Acrobat 5 and Acrobat 7 (not reader, the $ version) installed on the same computer at the same time. Each had different settings and everything. They did not play well together though, so I ended up having to uninstall both of them and reinstall 7, and when 5 is needed, I have to power up a super old desktop that's standing in the corner.

Malia

 

I stand corrected, . Just goes to show these companies never make things simple.

 

Yep, just to make sure, uninstall the old version first. (As mentioned, Adobe, and many others, likes to install new versions separately of old ones, isntead of just overwriting)

 

There are times when you may want to have several versions installed at once. For example, if you need to look at your clients' files and tell them what they are doing wrong so that they don't have to call you the next time. It's easier if you can tell them exactly what to do, and for that, you need to be using exactly the same software.

Anyway, overwriting is not the solution. The old version may be using some files that the new version does not, and that therefore would not be overwritten. They would just sit there orphaned and use up space on your hard drive. So, the thing to do is to uninstall the old version, and then to go in and delete its folder - since when you uninstall, your settings are usually saved just in case you reinstall. Then, install the new version, and hooray! You're done. Took all of 1 minute longer.

Malia

 

QFT

In most cases the answer to the OP's question is yes, it will overwrite. This is not always the case though. In certain situations, it will completely mess up the program it so the uninstall doesn't work, and you have to manually remove it and install the new one.

 

The Java Runtime Environment leaves the old versions on when a new one is installed and at over 100 MB per version they can take up a lot of space, so I remove the older the one(s).

 

ugh, when i upgraded to acrobat 7 from 5, and then tried to uninstall 5, i completely killed 7. it was a pain to get working again

 

I actually installed 5 after 7, long story why. In the end, both got messed up, and I got a mishmash of 5 and 7. I uninstalled 5 and I was going to repair 7 (through Control Panel). It asked for a CS2 installation CD, but it wouldn't accept it! Maybe because it was a DVD, I don't know. I ended up having to uninstall and reinstall all of CS2 - and that stuff takes forever! Gosh. But at least it was at work, so my wasted time was bought and paid for

Malia