Can a newer Audacity version be installed on top?

[bigears]

I have Audacity 1.2.6 (free version), & have downloaded ver. 1.3.13. Do I install it on top of the earlier version, or uninstall that first? And, in either case, does Audacity look after my existing data automatically?
All I've managed to find so far about changing to a newer version is that some can be installed on top of a previous beta release.
I'm using Vista Home Premium SP2. My files so far are all radio recordings, simply saved as Audacity files; no editing or exporting done yet (simply because I've only just started using Audacity; my first foray into any audio program).

[kozikowski]

Audacity 1.2 and Audacity 1.3 are designed to peacefully co-exist on the same computer -- although you can't use both at once. Audacity 1.3 Projects will not open on the less talented Audacity 1.2.

Koz

[steve]

I have Audacity 1.2.6 (free version)

All genuine versions of Audacity are free http://audacityteam.org/help/faq?s=general&i=free

The recommended version of Audacity for Vista is 1.3.13 http://audacityteam.org/download/

[bigears]

Thanks for the info, Koz.
In my situation, should I keep 1.2, once 1.3 is installed? With the projects I've already saved in 1.2, perhaps I should import them into 1.3, so as to do the editing in the superior version?

Thanks Steve; I had already downloaded 1.3.13. Before I open the download, I wanted to check what the correct installation method is (because I already have some stuff saved in Audacity, that I don't want to lose).

By the way, I know keeping things as Audacity files isn't always ideal, and I've been given plenty of good advice & links about file formats, elsewhere in this forum. But it seemed a good idea to update to the more stable version of Audacity, before I do anything else.

[steve]

In my situation, should I keep 1.2, once 1.3 is installed?

Once you have checked that Audacity 1.3.13 is working correctly you can delete/uninstall the old version.
If at any time in the future you find that you need Audacity 1.2. again, you can always download and install it again, though it's unlikely that you will ever need to.

[bigears]

Thanks for clarifying that, Steve.
What do I do to keep the projects already saved in the older version? Do I need to keep the old version to access them, or can I move them over to the new one, then uninstall the old one?
Sorry to ask so many questions - I should be able to find out things for myself once this update's done!

[steve]

The old projects should open correctly in Audacity 1.3.13.
If you have important projects, it is probably a good idea to be overly cautious and check that they actually do open and play correctly in Audacity 1.3.13 before you get rid of the old version.

[bigears]

Thanks Steve.
It sounds as if saved Audacity project files exist independantly of the software needed to open them (like other data files).
I will follow your advice though, and test the new Audacity on them before uninstalling the old one. Especially in my case (if something has a bug in it, I have a habit of finding it!)
Thanks again for your help and patience.