Google develops Chrome in different versions and even if the initial download leads to the automatic installation of the latest version of the moment, it is not said that this will remain updated over time or that it is the right one to use. In addition, Google releases Chrome updates using different channels, in order to separate the stable version from the experimental and newer version, which is still in the testing phase. To update Chrome and know the Chrome version number installed on the PC, the update channel you are using and especially if the version of Chrome is 64 bit or 32 bit, you have to press the Menu button (the three vertical points in the top right corner of the window), and then click on Help -> About Google Chrome .
The page that opens may immediately begin downloading an update, if it is available, and immediately shows some information that we are going to explain.
On my computer the page writes:
Version 80.0.3987.87 (Official build) (64-bit)
The first two digits, are the version of Chrome, at the moment arrived at Chrome 80. This number increases every two months with the download of a new update that more often brings only minor tweaks, bug fixes and only a few times substantial interface changes or new features.
If at the bottom it says that Chrome is updated, the installed version is certainly the latest available. If it were not, the download would start automatically and you will be asked to restart Chrome for the installation. If the installation of the new version fails, a warning should appear.
In this case it may be necessary to download Google Chrome manually.
If the version is Chrome 64 bit, this is written, while if it is Chrome 32 bit, nothing is written next to the version.
On 64-bit systems you should always use 64-bit Chrome to have better performance, speed and security .
As for the update channels, Google even has 4 .
1) The stable channel, the one that you normally download from the Google Chrome site, is the standard edition that everyone should use and that has no errors.
2) The Chrome Beta version has Beta written on the icon. The Beta channel is a test version of Chrome, the one before it becomes stable. Google updates the Beta approximately once a week, with major updates every six weeks. It is an almost stable version, usually ahead of the stable number.
3) Chrome Dev is one or two versions ahead of the stable, it is updated once a week and is used to test more radical changes for the browser that can also be discarded. The Dev version can suffer from crashes more often than the beta, have loading errors or incompatible extensions.
4) Chrome Canary is the most experimental version of Chrome, updated practically every day with the latest changes that have yet to be tested. Canary is mainly a tool for developers or for curious people who want to preview all the latest news from the Google browser.
The versions of Chrome, the stable, the dev, the beta and the Canary can be installed on PC Windows, Linux, Mac, on Android, on iPhone, with all the download links on this page of the Chromium site
Keep in mind though that while on Android the versions are separate apps, on PC you can only have one of stable Chrome, Dev and Beta, which cannot be installed all together. This means that to switch from one to the other you have to remove Chrome and repeat the installation. Only Chrome Canary is an independent program.
Recalling that Chrome is available for Windows, Mac and Linux PCs as well as as an operating system for Chromebooks and as a browser for Android and iPhone, I refer to the official website for all the download and installation links .
