SyncBackSE/Pro Major Version Upgrades Explained


Version 11 of SyncBackPro and SyncBackSE represents a major upgrade.


There is a modest upgrade cost to licensees who purchased a license some time ago. This article details the qualification for some existing licensees to upgrade freely, and also why the charge is being made.


Existing customers may check their eligibility for an upgrade using the following link:


https://www.2brightsparks.com/store/upgradestore.php


Licensees of SyncBackPro and SyncBackSE have continued to enjoy thousands of new features, updates and fixes:


https://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/changes.html


SyncBackPro V11 Upgrades


SyncBackPro Version 11 is a free upgrade for all customers who purchased a full or upgrade license on or after 1st June 2023 and those with active Upgrade Assurance on 1st July 2023.


The following upgrade prices apply to those who purchased a license before 1st June 2023. This may apply to you if you have paid for multiple licenses over a long period (volume discounts also apply):


Upgrading from earlier versions of SyncBackPro

  • SyncBackPro V10 to SyncBackPro V11: US$30.00
  • SyncBackPro V9 (and earlier) to SyncBackPro V11: US$35.00


Upgrading from SyncBackSE

  • SyncBackSE V11 to SyncBackPro V11: US$25.00
  • SyncBackSE V10 to SyncBackPro V11: US$35.00
  • SyncBackSE V9 (and earlier) to SyncBackPro V11: US$45.00


SyncBackSE V11 Upgrades


SyncBackSE Version 11 is a free upgrade for all customers who purchased a license on or after 1st June 2023 and those with active Upgrade Assurance on 1st July 2023.


The following upgrade prices apply to those who purchased a license before 1st June 2023 or do not have an active subscription on 1st July 2023. This may apply to you if you have paid for multiple licenses over a long period (volume discounts also apply):

  • SyncBackSE V10 to SyncBackSE V11: US$20.00
  • SyncBackSE V9 (and earlier) to SyncBackSE V11: US$25.00


Upgrade Assurance


Customers upgrading to SyncBackSE/Pro V11 will have the opportunity to purchase the optional Upgrade Assurance plan, which is a subscription service. Upgrade Assurance subscribers will get free upgrades for new major version releases and extended priority support.


Visit our Upgrade Assurance article page for more info. For Upgrade Assurance pricing, please visit our web-store.


Do I have to upgrade?


No. Although licensees will be advised to upgrade to the latest version, there is no requirement to do so. All existing licensees of SyncBackSE and SyncBackPro will continue to enjoy the benefits of version they purchased indefinitely if they so wish. However, technical support for older versions will not be provided.


Support Ticketing


V11 licensees will get 3 months free basic support. Upgrade Assurance subscription is required for additional support after the free support period. All Version 11 licensees will get minor updates free of charge: review the frequency of updates.


Support for V10 will officially end on 1st January 2024. You may also read our Support Policy.


Why charge for the upgrade?


Here are a few of the many reasons why we believe a modest fee to upgrade is justified:

  • V11 offers substantive advantages over previous versions.
  • We continue to invest thousands of man hours actively developing and supporting SyncBackPro, SyncBackSE and SyncBack Touch with new features, updates, and fixes. View the V11 page to see what is new in V11.
  • We pay for powerful new components that extend the programs.
  • We pay for additional services every month. These services support SyncBackPro and SyncBackSE users. For example our site allows free downloads of the latest version (server costs), our store allows users to pay for additional licenses, and our mailing list allows users to be informed about the latest updates and provides advice about how to get the best from their software (mailing list service provider).


In other words, when users purchase a license of our software, they also enjoy ongoing support of the software product through the site, hundreds of updated articles, a free and open forum, and 3 months support ticketing via email.


We hope you therefore agree that a modest charge for an upgrade is both fair and reasonable.


I am using old version but would like to try V11. Can I?


Yes, but note that you cannot have old version and V11 installed at the same time. When you install V11 it will upgrade your existing installation (including its profiles and settings) and make a backup* of your original profiles and settings in case you later want to go back to using old version. You then have 30 days to evaluate V11.


After trying V11, if you decide not to upgrade, then you can uninstall V11 and install the old version (you must install the latest version of the major version from our Legacy Downloads page). When the latest version is installed it will restore* your original settings and profiles.


If you are a SyncBackSE/Pro V10 (or older version) user and wants to evaluate 64-bit of V11, please make sure that you do not have the 32-bit versions of SyncBackSE or SyncBackPro installed at the same time as the 64-bit versions, and vice-versa. To evaluate SyncBackSE/Pro V11 64-bit, you should export your profiles from the 32-bit version, uninstall it, install the 64-bit version and then import your profiles. If you choose not to upgrade, you can roll back to your older version by performing the above steps in reverse.


* The default backup location of your profiles will be a subfolder called "SyncBackProVX Backup" or "SyncBackSEVX Backup" (where X is the major SyncBack version number, e.g. SyncBackProV10 Backup or SyncBackSEV10 Backup) inside your '(My) Documents' folder (the full path\location of which is detected from your Windows configuration). There is an opportunity during the V11 install to change this to a custom location instead. If you do so, and then re-install older version, it is your responsibility to remember what that custom location that you chose was, and to 'point' to it.