I have BIAB 2014 installed on a laptop at C:\bb.

Will probably purchase 2017 program only.

Can I just install to same folder as 2014 version ?

Yes,

You can install the 2017 edition of the Band-in-a-Box program right over your existing 2014 edition of Band-in-a-Box. RealBand will be updated in the same manner.

The install program will make a back up copy of your existing programs so you can roll back the update should you have a need to in the future.

One difference between your 2014 and current editions is the new programs require an authorization serial number. You will receive the serial numbers from PG Music.

Thank you Jim.

One more question please.

Will most likely go with the USB flash drive.

If I wait until near the end of the month to purchase ... would the USB have all the current updates ... or would I still have to download updates separately ?

Just look at the Build number to find that out. PG always posts the new builds and their numbers. Check your install to find out.

ALSO: Remember that you don't necessarily need to install an update. I rarely do any of the :bug fix" updates that invariably get released a month or so after the official program release. I have never experienced any of the bugs that it supposedly fixes so I don't update.

I did an update this year however, and only because I picked up the new "Extra paks" and one of the requirements to run them was to have the most recent update and build number installed.

Doing the updates are a painless (for me) process. So I'd say, if you're wanting to get 2017, go ahead and do it now, then get the updates if you need them. I might be wrong, but I think the updates are more about bug fixes than getting any new tracks, styles, and other things along that line.

Thank you, appreciate the info.

Right, the Build # in Help, About is how you know. BIAB does ship with the latest build as of the shipping date.

Thanks Matt.

Of course. Here's a bit of elaboration on the subject:

You can use the program to tell you if there are updates (Help, Check for Updates, and you can set the checkbox and the number of days to automate this), or check the Support page periodically by clicking on the big gray Support tab near the top of this web page. Note that PG Music's current practice is to consider each new release a beta release, and it does not include beta releases in the automated check for updates. Thus, if you (like me) want the absolute latest patch, do it manually from the Support page.

And then there may be even newer builds that are in development, and you have to wait for those to be announced, at which time they become the newest release which is the new beta. The prior release becomes the shipping version, and that's what they send when you order. This practice is conservative but avoids problems very well.

Make sense?

Yes, thank you.

... and one more question please.

How many installs do they allow ? ( I have 2 desktops and 1 laptop )

It's called activation. I also have two desktops and one laptop.

I believe it's three. If that's wrong, I'll edit this post.

It is three. I have two desktop computers and one laptop computer activated.

Thanks Matt & MarioD.