File Version

Most executable files contain a 32-bit number known as their Version. Programmers increment this number each time they change a program, so files with larger version numbers contain newer versions of a program.

Version numbers are often displayed as two, three or four small numbers, separated by periods. For example, File Versions can look like these examples:

1.0

3.8.4

2.20.8.873

The first number is called the program's Major Version number. Changes in this number usually indicate major, or large-scale, changes to the program have occurred.

The second number, if present, is called the Minor Version number. Changes to this number indicate smaller, more incremental, changes to a program's features. If the Minor Version number is not displayed, its value is zero.

The third number, if present, is called the Revision number. Often changes in this number indicate releases of a program that fix known bugs. If the Revision number is not displayed, its value is zero.

The final number is known as the Build number. Usually, this number increases by 1 each time a programmer creates a runnable copy of a program. During development and testing, a programmer may make several new "builds" each day. So this number often runs into the hundreds or even thousands for large programs. Only a few of the many builds are released to the public.