If you are currently running Discus Freeware 4.10 or higher, you can use the automatic update system to apply your upgrade from Discus Freeware to Discus Professional. After purchasing your Discus Professional license, simply access the Version Manager of your discussion board, click the "Update" tab, enter your license details, and follow the remaining steps to complete your upgrade.

Documentation on the automated upgrade process and the Version Manager is available within the administration instructions.

If you have telnet/SSH access to your unix server or console access to your Windows server and are running Discus 4.0 or lower, the fastest way to upgrade is to use the telnet/console method.

1. Log in to the Discus Pro download area using your license number and download password.

2. From the download area, choose the appropriate distribution file you want. Note that the version number and the language is part of the file name (if there is no language specified, it is the English version). Click the file you wish to download.

3. Follow all instructions for your platform:

   Unix: Discus 4.1 | Discus 4.0

   Windows: Discus 4.1 | Discus 4.0

   Previous versions of Discus: archived upgrade instructions

If you have only FTP access to your server, you will need to upgrade by FTP.

1. Log in to your existing Discus Freeware board as the board administrator (typically admin). Choose "Version Manager" from the administration main menu.

2. In version 4.0, click the Upgrades tab. Scroll down to the FTP distribution section and enter your Discus Professional license number into the box. Then click the button to generate the distribution. (In Discus 3.10, the procedure is similar, except that there is no "Upgrades" tab - all options are displayed on the first page of Version Manager.)

3. Click the link to download the Discus zip file to your machine. You will be prompted for a username and password when you attempt to download the distribution. Your username is your Discus Professional license number (including all dashes). Your password is your download password. See instructions on the screen for details.

4. Click the link to load the readme.html file into your browser and follow all instructions therein to complete your upgrade to Discus Professional. For your records, a copy of readme.html is also included in your distribution.