• Can I upgrade from an older version of Family Tree Legends to the latest release?

Yes, you can upgrade your copy of Family Tree Legends by visiting this page: http://www.familytreelegends.com/upgrade

• What is the proper method for upgrading?

If you are an existing user of Family Tree Legends, it is highly recommended that you use the official upgrade page on our web site to purchase the latest version of the software. By using the order form located at: http://www.familytreelegends.com/upgrade, you will be able to keep your current product serial number, and will receive a discount off the retail price on your purchase. In addition, you’re copy of Family Tree Legends will automatically update the next time you are connected to the Internet while the software is running. There is NO need to re-download and re-install the software manually when performing an upgrade.

• I purchased the upgrade to the latest release of Family Tree Legends. When I choose “HELP > WHAT VERSION DO I HAVE” the software displays a previous version number. How do I get the latest release?

To ensure that you are running the latest version of Family Tree Legends you can select: "HELP > GET LATEST VERSION OF FAMILY TREE LEGENDS" while connected to the Internet. A message should appear letting you know that the latest release is being downloaded. After the updated program files are downloaded (you’ll be notified with a message window), you should close, and then restart your copy of Family Tree Legends for the changes to take effect.

After following the directions listed above, you can verify that you are running the latest version by opening Family Tree Legends and selecting "HELP > WHAT VERSION DO I HAVE?".

• I owned a previous version of Family Tree Legends, and then purchased a full version of the latest release of Family Tree Legends (instead of the discounted upgrade). I am having difficulty getting the software to update to the latest release. How do I fix this?

When you purchase a full version of Family Tree Legends, you are a assigned a unique product serial number. This number is stored in your computer’s Registry. If you used a previous version of the software, it is highly likely that the old product serial number associated with that purchase is still residing on your computer, rather than the product serial number associated with the latest release you just purchased. Our servers block software updates for ineligible serial numbers.

In order to fix this you'll need to find your new product serial number (located in the email receipt message for your purchase), and then load the new serial number into your computer manually by following the specific directions listed below.

1. Uninstall the Family Tree Legends software using the ADD/REMOVE feature.
2. Remove all program files from C:/Program Files/Family Tree Legends
3. Use the Windows Registry editor to delete the Pearl Street Software entries
4. Shut down and restart your computer
5. Re-download and reinstall the software from the FTL web site

If you are unfamiliar with the Windows registry, you can find a good introduction located here:
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/registry

Please start by removing the software first using the "ADD/REMOVE" feature in the Windows Control Panel. To do this click the "Start" button. Next, click the "Control Panel" button. In the Control Panel window, look for the option labeled "ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS". Click on this choice. Use the ADD/REMOVE feature to find the program labeled "Family Tree Legends". Click "Uninstall". After the uninstallation process has completed, close the "ADD/REMOVE" feature, and the Control Panel window.

Next you will need to manually double check to make sure that the folder "C:/Program Files/Family Tree Legends" has been deleted from your hard drive. If this folder is not deleted, your reinstallation will fail. To browse the folders on your hard drive, you will need to use Windows Explorer. To access Windows Explorer, click the "START" button on your desktop, then click the "RUN" option. Type the word "explorer.exe" in the Open text box, the click "OK". A window should appear that allows you to browse the files on your hard drive. Find the folder titled "Program Files" on your main hard drive. Inside the "Program Files" folder you will find a folder titled "Family Tree Legends". Select the Famliy Tree Legends folder, and click "Delete" on your keyboard. After doing so, close the folder window, return to your desktop, and please make sure to "empty" your Windows Recycle Bin on your desktop.

Now, open the Registry Editor by selecting the Windows "START" button and then choose the option labeled  "RUN". In the window that appears type 'regedit' in the field labeled Open. When the Registry editor appears, these you will need to locate 2 specific entries (one at a time).

The first entry is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Pearl Street Software

The Registry Editor displays folders much like Windows Explorer. To expand a folder click on the "+" symbol to the left of it. First, you will need to expand the folder name "HKEY_CURRENT_USER". Next, find the folder named "Software" and expand it. Finally you will find an entry labeled "Pearl Street Software". Select ONLY the folder labeled "Pearl Street Software". If the folder is properly selected it should be highlighted with a colored rectangle and the folder icon should appear to be open. Next, click the Delete button on your keyboard. You will be prompted with the a window that reads "Are you sure you want to delete this key and all of it's subkeys?". Click "yes". Now, you can retract the "Software" and "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" folders back up by clicking on the "-" symbol next to their names.

Repeat this same process for the this folder:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Pearl Street Software

First, you will need to expand the folder name "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE". Next, find the folder named "Software" and expand it. Finally you will find an entry labeled "Pearl Street Software". Select ONLY the folder labeled "Pearl Street Software". If the folder is properly selected it should be highlighted with a colored rectangle and the folder icon should appear to be open. Next, click the Delete button on your keyboard. You will be prompted with the a window that reads "Are you sure you want to delete this key and all of it's subkeys?". Click "yes". Now, you can retract the "Software" and "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folders back up by clicking on the "-" symbol next to their names.

After doing so. Close the Registry editor, and shutdown and restart your computer. Next, reinstall the software directly from our website.
http://www.familytreelegends.com/buy/pickup/

After the program loads for the 1st time, you will need to click the "Update" button on the Welcome screen. This should allow you to properly update to the latest version that you are entitled to.