How To Update The Browser On A Computer, Laptop, Phone For Free - Step-by-step Instructions And Descriptions Of Different Methods

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

We update browsers on different devices: computer, tablet, smartphone

Many people who are just starting to master new technologies do not know what the browser is for. They may also be unaware that all utilities, including browsers, should be updated regularly. How and why to do this on different devices?

Content

• 1 What is a browser and what is it for
• 2 Why do I need to update the browser and how to find out the current version

• 3 Ways to update different browsers on PC and laptop for free

  • 3.1 Via the official website of the browser

  • 3.2 Through the browser itself

    3.2.1 Video: how to quickly update Yandex Browser

  • 3.3 Through the "Update Center"

• 4 How to update the browser on your phone and tablet

  • 4.1 For Android devices

    4.1.1 Video: how to update any Android application in the Play Market

  • 4.2 For Apple gadgets

What is a browser and what is it for

The browser is a special utility for a PC, tablet or phone, thanks to which each user can open pages on the Internet if there is a network connection. A web page is a text document (source code) written in HTML. The browser, or as it is also called the "browser", processes and transforms this text into graphics (pictures, labels, links, etc.) and provides interactivity on sites (the ability to scroll through pages, perform any actions on them).

Thanks to modern browsers, we see a graphical version of sites, which are essentially texts written in HTML

Each user has the right to look at the source code of the page - through the corresponding option of its context menu (called by right-clicking on the field free of icons). For many browsers, the Ctrl + U key combination works to invoke the code.

Click in the context menu on "Show page code"

The text in this document is, of course, incomprehensible to an ordinary user, but for IT specialists it is a working tool.

An ordinary user will not understand the text of the source code of a page on the Internet - it will be understandable only for programmers

You can do the following with web browsers:

1. View and listen to the content of pages: text, video, images, audio.
2. Move between pages of one site.
3. Download files of various formats.
4. Save passwords from accounts on resources.
5. View browsing and search history.
6. Save page addresses as bookmarks for quick access.
7. Open several pages at once due to the ability to create a large number of tabs and much more.

Well-known third-party browsers are Yandex. Browser, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Hola, Safari, Orbitum, Amigo, Tor Browser and others. Browsers such as UC Browser, Harley and Dolphin are also common on mobile gadgets. Windows has a built-in standard browser called Internet Explorer, for the top ten - Microsoft Edge. However, most users prefer to download and install utilities from other developers.

Basically, people prefer to use third-party browsers over the standard Internet Explorer

Why do I need to update the browser and how to find out the current version

You need to do a regular update of the reviewers for the following reasons:

1. Security. Malicious software is improving - new versions are released every day. The browser can be considered a kind of "gateway" that leads to the Internet. If its protection is weak (the old browser will not be able to determine whether the file is a virus), various malware and spyware can easily penetrate the computer.

   

   Viruses can enter your computer through an un-updated browser

2. Work speed. The not updated browser is slow and malfunctioning. A decrease in speed is usually the first signal that the browser needs to be cleaned of garbage and updated.
3. Compliance with new technologies. Nowadays it is rare to find sites that are written only in HTML. They are usually a mixture of different technologies, including JavaScript, CSS, PHP, and more. Adding new scripts and plugins allows you to expand the functionality of the pages: add videos, animated images, and more. With the development of these technologies, browsers are also improving, since they are required to correctly display what is in the source code. Older browsers are not able to display the newly created modern page in the window as it should look.

You can find out the current version of the browser in its special section "About the browser" or "About the program". How to open it, for example, in Google Chrome, we will describe in the following instructions:

1. In the open window of the specified browser, click on the icon with three dots to bring up the program menu.

2. In it, we hover the mouse over the "Help" item, and then click on the "About Google Chrome" list item.

   

   In the "Chrome" menu, select "Help" and then "About Browser"

3. This will launch an internal utility tab called "Settings". In it, we are already looking at the version - a long number with numbers separated by dots. An automatic update search will start immediately.

   

   In the "Settings" tab, look at the number of the current browser version

4. If the update is not needed, the phrase "The latest version is already installed" will appear. Then close the tab.

   

   If the browser does not find an update on the network, it will inform you that the latest version is installed

Ways to update different browsers on PC and laptop for free

Modern utilities for "surfing" the Internet are updated independently in the background if they find a new version on the network, since the developers understand that not all users will update themselves.

For this, a special Update service is created, which monitors the situation. It can, however, be disabled for some reason. It can also crash when downloading and installing updates automatically, so it is important to be able to download the update for the browser manually and constantly check if the program needs it. It's free and doesn't take long. To analyze the methods, let's take Yandex Browser, Mozilla Firefox, and standard Internet Explorer.

Via the official website of the browser

This method consists in installing a new version of the browser over the old one by downloading and running the program installer file downloaded from the official developer resource. Let's start analyzing the procedure by describing the Yandex Browser update:

1. Go to the official website of the Yandex browser. On the page, you will immediately see a yellow Download button. Click on it to download the installer. The download will be fast.

   

   Click on the "Download" button - the file for installation will be downloaded

2. The page will notify you that Yandex. Browser is already installed on your PC, but you can run the file in order to update the software. Open the installer through the Downloads panel.

   

   Open the newly downloaded installer through the downloads panel

3. If you wish, leave a check next to the item "Set as default browser" if you use the program often. Click on the "Install" button in the lower right corner.

   

   Click on the yellow "Install" button to start the procedure

4. We are waiting for the completion of the installation process. When it ends, the browser will automatically restart. Don't worry - your tabs won't disappear anywhere - the same pages and in the same order will open when you restart.

   

   Wait while the installation procedure of the new version is completed

To update "Mozilla" through the developer resource, follow these instructions:

1. Start this official site. It will have a light green Download Now button. We click on it once.

   

   Click on the green Download Now button

2. Click on "Save file" in the additional window.

   

   Save the Mozilla Firefox Installer file

3. Open the panel with loaded objects (down arrow icon). Click on the executable file with the exe extension.

   

   Open the downloaded file through the downloads panel

4. The installation of the new version over the old one will immediately begin. Close "Mozilla" if it is open. We are waiting for the end of the installation. After installation, the program will open itself.

   

   Wait for the end of the procedure for installing the new version over the old

Finally, consider the upgrade of the classic Windows Internet Explorer application to version 11 in the "seven". It is the 11th version that is the most recent, safe and optimal working. It is important to update the standard IE browser, even if you do not use it at all, since the operation of some other programs that need Internet access, for example, Skype, depends on it. Let's move on to the instructions:

1. Go to this official Microsoft resource address. Scroll the page with the wheel to the column "Russian language". You can download another language pack if you like. In the row in the outermost cell, choose between the 32- and 64-bit version. Click on the corresponding link to download the installer.

   

   Find Russian and download the version for "seven" or "eight" with the required bit depth

2. We find it in "Windows Explorer". Usually all files are downloaded to the Downloads directory, but if you have previously installed another, look for the file in it. Click on the file with the right mouse button and select "Run as administrator" in the list of options.

   

   Click on the "Run as administrator" item in the context menu

3. Click on "Yes" to allow the installer to make changes on your device.

4. The automatic installation of the product will begin (the new version over the old). You don't need to take any action. We are waiting for the end of the process. During the procedure, the device will reboot several times.

   

   Wait while the system installs the Internet Explorer 11 language pack

5. When the last restart occurs, a notification will appear on the screen that the program has been successfully updated. Launch IE and check its version: click on the gear-shaped icon in the upper right corner of the window and select the "About" item.

   

   Click on the last "About" item in the IE 11 menu

6. In an additional small window, pay attention to the version number - the number 11 must be present.

   

   Make sure your PC has the latest version of the standard browser - IE 11

Through the browser itself

The update can be carried out in the program itself, in particular, in the section with general information about it, where its version is indicated. Let's consider the upgrade again using the example of Yandex Browser:

1. Left-click on the "hamburger" icon at the top in the right corner. In the list of various sections, hover over the last item "Additional". In the menu that appears to the left of the main menu, click on the "About browser" option.

   

   In the menu "Yandex Browser" select "Advanced" and then "About browser"

2. A new tab with a version number will open in the browser window. If the utility needs an update, you will see the corresponding Update button. Feel free to click on it.

   

   Click on the "Update" button if it is in the section

3. Now we are waiting for the browser to download the new version and then install it.

   

   Wait while the browser downloads and installs updates

4. During the installation process, the system will ask for permission to make changes. We click on "Yes".

   

   Click "Yes" to allow Yandex Browser to make changes on your PC

5. When the procedure is over, the "Restart" button will appear. We must click on it. Changes will not take effect without a reboot.

   

   Click on "Restart" to close the browser and then turn it on again

6. When the browser opens again, you will see the new version number in the upper left in the same internal "About browser" tab.

   

   Check if the browser needs to be updated in the "About" tab

Finding the corresponding section "About the browser" in Mozilla Firefox is no longer so easy, so we will describe the update process for the program and using this method:

1. We open the program menu through the already familiar icon with three parallel lines. In the menu, click on the penultimate item in the "Help" list.

   

   In the "Mozilla" menu, click on "Help"

2. On the next page, click on "About Firefox".

   

   In the next list, click on the item "About Firefox"

3. An additional window with information about the utility will open on top of the main window. The system will start searching for the update. We are waiting for its completion.

   

   We are waiting for Firefox to finish looking for updates

4. If available, it will start downloading immediately. We do nothing - the program will do everything by itself.

   

   If there are updates on the network, the browser system will immediately start downloading them.

5. When the download is complete, click on "Restart Firefox" to update.

   

   Click on "Restart Firefox to update"

6. When you turn it on again, the installation of the downloaded updates will start. We are waiting for it to end.

   

   Wait for the browser to install and configure Mozilla updates

7. When Firefox starts again, immediately go to the additional window to make sure that the browser no longer needs updates. The phrase "The latest version of Firefox is installed" must be present.

   

   If "The latest version is installed" appears in the window, then there is no more update for this browser on the network

Video: how to quickly update Yandex Browser

Through the "Update Center"

In the "Update Center" you can get an update only for built-in Windows components, so here the update is possible only for Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Let's take a look at the IE upgrade in the center using the example of Windows 7 environment:

1. Open the "Start" panel by clicking on the window-shaped icon at the left end of the "Taskbar" (through which you turn off the PC). In the search box, enter the query "Update Center" and open the section in the results.

2. In the center window, click on "Search for updates" and wait for the system to find the currently available update.

   

   Wait for the system to finish searching for updates for the "operating system"

3. After that, click on "Important Updates".

   

   Click on the link "Important Updates"

4. In the list, we look at the presence of an item about Internet Explorer. If it is present, then the program really needs to be updated. It is advisable to leave all items checked. Click on OK.

   

   See if there are updates for Internet Explorer in the list and click on OK

5. Now click on "Install Updates".

   

   Click on the "Install updates" button

6. The Center will require you to accept the terms of the agreement. We put a mark to the left of the corresponding item and click on "Finish".

   

   Accept the agreement to run the updates

7. First, the system will independently create a restore point, which will allow in case of an unsuccessful update to immediately roll back to the previous version of the system.

   

   The system will first create a restore point in case of problems

8. After that, the installation will begin - we are waiting for completion and further instructions from the "operating system".

   

   The process of installing system updates will take some time

9. When the procedure is completed, the system will ask you to reboot the device. We do this using the appropriate button in the window or through the Start menu.

   

   Restart your PC using a special button or through "Start"

10. During the restart, the updates will be configured. The process will take some time. When the system starts, check that the version of the standard browser is up to date.

How to update the browser on your phone and tablet

Tablets and smartphones can work on different platforms: Android, iOS, Windows of various versions. In the latter case, updating the browser is no different from updating on a regular PC - you can use both the official website and the section "About the browser". It is also convenient to update the browser through the Windows Store if it is there (some browsers are not included in the store, such as Google Chrome).

For Android devices

Android-based gadgets have a built-in Play Market application store - the official source of all mobile programs for this operating system. It is from it that it is recommended to download all utilities, including browsers.

Like all other programs on Android, browsers are recommended to be downloaded from the Play Market

However, the store allows you not only to download and install applications, but also to update them regularly, even automatically. If you don't have an automatic update installed, do it manually as follows:

1. On the home screen of your smartphone or tablet, or in the menu itself, find the Play Market icon in the form of a triangle. Tap on it to launch the store.

   

   Find the Play Market icon in the menu or on the "Desktop" of the device

2. Click on the icon in the form of three horizontal stripes ("hamburger").

   

   In the Play Market window, click on the menu icon

3. In the menu, select the very first block "My applications and games".

   

   Select the first section "My apps and games"

4. In the first tab "Updates" find your browser. If he really needs an update, he will be on the list of programs. Tap on the "Update" button and wait while the updates are downloaded and installed.

   

   Tap on the "Update" button next to the program that needs an update

Video: how to update any Android application in the Play Market

For Apple gadgets

In "Aion" and "Aypads" there is also a store with programs - App Store. It allows you to upgrade mobile utilities both in automatic and manual mode:

1. Again, in the menu or on the initial screen of the device, we are looking for the store icon. This time, the label will be in the form of the letter A, enclosed in a circle. We open a store.

   

   From the iPhone home screen, search for the App Store

2. In the lower right corner there will be an Updates block. We tap on it.

   

   At the bottom of the screen, tap on the Updates section

3. In the list of update utilities, we are looking for the browser that we want to update. Click on the corresponding Update button.

   

   Tap on the Update button to the right of the program you want to update

4. We are waiting for the completion of the procedure - after that you can already start using the new version.

   

   Wait for the updates to finish installing and start using the new version of the browser

Almost all modern browsers are able to update themselves without user intervention. However, sometimes the automatic update process can fail. In this case, it is still recommended to check from time to time whether the browser needs an update or not. The upgrade itself is not difficult - there are several ways for different devices. On a PC, you can do this in the section of the browser itself "About the browser" or through its official website (installing a new version over the old one). On Androids and iPhones, the Play Market and App Store are available, respectively. In them, applications are not only downloaded, but also updated, and it is possible to configure an automatic update for all installed programs.