Upgrade Chromperfect: Do You Need to Uninstall the Existing Version First?
- Chromperfect
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
Upgrading Chromperfect is a routine process, but it’s one that often raises questions—especially around whether an existing installation needs to be removed first. This article explains what to expect when you upgrade Chromperfect on the same PC, why Windows requires an uninstall step, and how your existing configuration is preserved when the process is followed correctly.
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Why upgrading Chromperfect requires an uninstall
When you attempt to upgrade Chromperfect by running the installer for a newer version, Windows will first check whether an existing version is already installed. If it is, you’ll see a message indicating that another version of the product is present and that installation cannot continue.
This is normal and expected behavior. To upgrade Chromperfect on the same PC, the existing version must be uninstalled first using Windows Apps & Features or Add/Remove Programs. This requirement is enforced by the Windows installer and is not an indication of a problem with your system.
Does uninstalling Chromperfect remove your settings?
A common concern when people upgrade Chromperfect is whether uninstalling the old version will remove instrument configurations, user preferences, or system settings.
In normal upgrade scenarios, it does not.
Chromperfect is designed so that key configuration data is stored outside the main program files. During an uninstall, these settings are deliberately preserved so they can be reused by the newer version when it is installed.
This means that uninstalling the previous version is a required part of the process, but it is safe and non-destructive when done correctly.
Important rule when you upgrade Chromperfect
After uninstalling the old version, it is important that you do not manually delete Chromperfect working or data directories.
These directories contain user settings, instrument configurations, and other system information that the new installation will automatically detect and reuse. Manually removing them is the most common mistake users make during an upgrade and can result in unnecessary reconfiguration work.
The only time you should manually remove these directories is if you intentionally want a completely fresh installation and fully understand that all previous settings will be lost.
Accept the default installation settings
During installation, Chromperfect presents a number of configuration options. It is strongly recommended that you accept the default settings and do not change the program or working directory locations.
Chromperfect is tested and validated using its default configuration. Choosing non-default directories may, in some cases, cause unexpected issues or behavior that would not normally occur.
For most users, accepting the defaults is the safest and most reliable approach when you upgrade Chromperfect.
Licensing considerations when you upgrade Chromperfect
Each major version of Chromperfect requires a version-specific license. When you upgrade Chromperfect, a new license will be provided as part of the upgrade—either on a USB key or as a virtual fingerprint or service license.
If you are using a USB license key and it is already inserted, Chromperfect will usually detect it automatically during installation. If you are using a fingerprint or service license, you will be prompted near the end of the installation process to browse to the license file on disk.
It’s important to ensure that the license file matches the version being installed. For example, a Chromperfect version 8 license file is typically named CP32V8.VER, while a Chromperfect version 10 license file is named CP32V10.VER. Using the wrong license file will result in a license denied message when the software is launched.
Summary: how to upgrade Chromperfect safely
To upgrade Chromperfect on the same PC:
Uninstall the existing version using Windows Add or Remove Programs
Accept the default installation settings
Use the correct license file for the version being installed
If you follow these steps, your existing configuration will be preserved automatically, and the upgrade process should be smooth and predictable.
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