Windows 10: Using A New .exe For An Application ?

Hello,

Have had somewhat contradictory results with this, so thought I'd just ask:

I have an .exe file for an application.
A new version has just come out.

I know I can delete the old .exe one, and use the new one; no problem.

But was wondering: can I just put the new one's icon over the icon for the old, and this deletes the old .exe ?

Or,...?

Thanks,
B.

:)

 

Assign a new version of an application to open a file

Hi,

Follow the steps below to set the default programs and check if the issue is resolved.

• 
  Press Windows logo key on the keyboard, type
  Default programs and select the top most search result.
  
• 
  Click on Set your Default programs and select the programs listed in the left side panel of the window to set defaults.
  
• 
  Follow the on-screen instructions.
  
• 
  Close the window after setting the programs and check if the changes are effective.
  

Method 2: If the issue persists, follow the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• 
  Press Windows logo key on the keyboard, type
  Default programs and select the top most search result.
  
• 
  Click on Associate a file type or protocol with a program option from the window.
  
• 
  Click on the file type or protocol that you want to change and click on
  Change program.
  
• 
  Follow the on-screen instructions.
  
• 
  Close the window after setting the programs defaults and check if the changes are effective.
  

Write to us with the answers to the above questions and the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.

 

Assign a new version of an application to open a file

I have several versions of an application to handle a particular file-type (that is with a particular file-name-extension).

The versions of the application have the same file name, but are located in different folders.

When I use Control Panel in an attempt to associate the newest version of the application with the file-type there are problems.

1) Navigation through the various levels of menu did not change the version of the application called up to handle the file.

2) When I tried to assign a completely different application and then assign the new version of the application, Control Panel hung!

What is the correct procedure to achieve my aim?

 

Hi:

I'm not sure I fully understand your question (because I do not know what you mean by "putting the icon" over the old one), but I will try to answer it.

I think you are saying that you have downloaded and saved on your computer somewhere (perhaps the downloads folder) two different versions of the installer (aka setup file) for a particular program (a desktop application, not a store app)???

If so, then, no, it would not be a good idea to try to merge or drag one onto the other.

The 2 installer files should be kept separate.
Once you have run the "new" one, it's a good idea to delete the old one.

Most programs assign a unique name to their installers, such as "ProgramX-version1.exe" and "ProgramX-version2.exe"
So, you can download the new one to the same folder where you have the older one and they will stay separate.
The attached screen shot shows a snippet from my folder that shows 2 versions of CCleaner, each with its own name.
I manually update all my programs. So, I often hang onto the "old" version's installer, until I know that the "new" version works OK, in case I need to roll back.

On the other hand, if you are talking about replacing an old version of a file with a new one, then YES, you can do that.
Some programs just call each version of their setup file the same thing, e.g. "ProgramX.exe".
In that case, when you try to download a new version to the same destination as the older one, Windows will ask you if you want to REPLACE the old file with the new one.
You would do just that in order to get rid of the older one and to keep the newer one. (A "safer" strategy would be to first delete the old one and then download the new one, so that you do not have to replace the older file.)

If that is not what you mean, please tell us:

• What program are you referring to?
• Can you provide a screen shot of the folder in question?

Thanks,
MM

 

No. As far as I know, dragging a file (exe or otherwise) over another file will just move the other file's icon.
A tip, don't delete the old version. Change it's name or save it somewhere else. That way, if the new one doesn't work - you can use the old one.
HTH