Tips for Upgrading to a Later Communicator

Applies to: Communicator 4.02 or later upgrading to a newer Communicator 4.0x release.
Operating Systems: Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT.
Problem Symptoms: "A new Communicator has been released. What is the easiest and safest way to upgrade?"

Solutions:

WINDOWS 95/98 AND NT

Disable any virus checkers you may be running, then Click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs | Netscape Communicator. After the uninstall, restart the computer to unload any DLL files that may be loaded to memory.

Delete the files in the \Communicator directory, and leave the sub directories intact. Under \Communicator\Program\ delete any files there, and the java directory. Leave the other subdirectories intact.

In the \users\username\ directories, remove the signed applet files if they are there. Nothing else.

There should be nothing to remove from the Registry as the only entries are for version and the paths to the user directory. Installation of 4.04 or later will update these entries.

Proceed with the installation of the newer version. For more insight see Kevin's 4.5 Installation Advisory

WINDOWS 3.X

Disable any virus checkers you may be running, then execute C:\WINDOWS\cd16402.exe or C:\Windows\cd16403.exe to uninstall Communicator.

From the File Manager, delete the files in \Comm\  directory. Leave the sub directories intact. Delete the files in \Comm\program and the java subdirectory. Leave the rest of the sub directories intact.

If you have placed a signed applet file in \users\username\ directory, delete that also.

C:\Windows\regedit.exe delete all references to the communicator directory structure only, do not disturb any 3.0+ entries if you have any.

cd16402.exe or cd16403.exe can be deleted after uninstalling. Restart Windows, then proceed with the installation of the newer version.

For Information On More Communicator Custom Preferences, See: Advanced Communicator Preferences