How to update or upgrade and what is the difference

The version number

The program's version is always visible on the title bar of the main window of the program. It consists of 4 numbers separated by dots, e.g. 2.0.0.225. The version number uses the following pattern:

[major].[minor].[maintenance].[build]

which means the following:

• [major] –  the first position indicates the major version number. It changes only when the entire program structure is changed or some significant features are introduced to the software.
• [minor] – the second number changes when planned improvements or minor features are implemented (this usually happens every quarter; see version history).
• [maintenance] – the third number changes only when some important bug fixes need to be applied to the program and cannot wait for the next minor version change. 
• [build]– the last number changes automatically every time the Development team compiles a new build during the development cycle. This number is usually meaningless to the end-user.

Upgrade

An upgrade is when you reinstall the program by using a newer version, with a higher first number in the version number. For example, your currently installed version of the program is 1.6.4.9, and you replace it with version 2.0.0.15. If you use any previous (paid) version of the software, you can also upgrade it to the free version.

The upgrade process will not affect your current configuration data or jobs' progress. To upgrade the program, follow the steps below: 

1. Download the installer from the product's website onto the machine where CodeTwo Backup is installed (you can also download the newest version of the program by clicking the Check for updates link on the Dashboard tab in CodeTwo Backup Administration Panel).
2. Before you proceed, close the Administration Panel of CodeTwo Backup. If there are any jobs running in the background, they will be stopped and resumed automatically after the upgrade.
3. Launch the downloaded installer and install the program.
4. If you have more instances of the program in your environment, perform the upgrade on each machine where the program is installed.
5. After the upgrade process is complete, you can launch the program. All of your settings and jobs are retained. 

Update

An update is when you reinstall the program by using a newer version, with a higher second, third or fourth number in the version number. For example, your currently installed version of the program is 2.0.0.15, and you replace it with version 2.1.0.10. If you use any previous (paid) version of the software, you can also update it to the free version.

You should update your existing installation on a regular basis to make sure you always use the current version of the program, with all new features included and all known bugs fixed. Click the Check for updates link on the Dashboard tab, on the Help card, to see if you're currently using the latest version of the program.

How to update

1. Download the installer from the product's website onto the machine where CodeTwo Backup is installed. 
2. Before you proceed, close the Administration Panel of CodeTwo Backup. If there are any jobs running in the background, they will be stopped and resumed automatically after the update.
3. Launch the downloaded installer and install the program.
4. If you have more instances of the program in your environment, perform the update on each machine where the program is installed.
5. After the update process is complete, you can launch the program. All of your settings and jobs are retained. 

Changes introduced in CodeTwo Backup 2.6.x

CodeTwo Backup version 2.6.x introduced a number of changes compared to the previous versions of the program:

• CodeTwo Backup is now available for free, so you no longer need to purchase a subscription to back up your data.
• On-premises Exchange servers are no longer supported. To back up and restore data from such servers, you need to use an earlier CodeTwo Backup version. Learn more
• Connections to Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online) are now fully based on the Microsoft Graph API. Following Microsoft's retirement of Exchange Web Services (EWS) in Exchange Online, EWS-based connections are no longer supported and must be reconfigured after updating CodeTwo Backup from an earlier version. Learn more
• Basic Authentication in SharePoint Online connections is no longer supported. Connections using this legacy authentication method must also be reconfigured after updating the program from an earlier version. Learn more
• Permission requirements have changed. The program now needs the following Microsoft Graph application permissions assigned in Microsoft Entra ID:
  • Directory.Read.All
  • Group.Read.All
  • Mail.Send
  • MailboxFolder.ReadWrite.All
  • MailboxItem.ImportExport.All
  • MailboxItem.Read.All
  • MailboxSettings.ReadWrite
  • User.Read.All
• Site mailboxes and Microsoft 365 group mailboxes are no longer supported in backup and restore jobs. Existing backup copies of these mailbox types can now be restored to another mailbox only.
• Archive mailboxes are temporarily unsupported. You'll be able to back up and restore archive mailboxes again in a future version of the program.