Sometimes the latest software update isn’t the best solution for everyone. Whether you’re continuing a project that depends on a previous version or need compatibility with specific SAMSON Extensions, installing an older version of SAMSON can be necessary and even critical for your workflow.
Thankfully, SAMSON makes it rather straightforward to install an older version. Here’s how you can do it — and why you might want to.
Why Use an Older Version?
Although SAMSON is continuously improving, not all Extensions may be updated at the same pace. Additionally, system configurations or academic requirements might make an older version more appropriate for a specific task. If your collaborators use a specific version or you’re replicating past results, version alignment is essential.
How to Install an Older Version
When you run the SAMSON installer, you can opt to choose a previous version. Just follow these steps:
- Start the installer as usual.
- At the second step, check the box labeled “Install an older version”. Here’s where to find it:
- In the following step, you’ll be presented with a dropdown list of available older versions. Choose the one you need. Note that versions are listed by their developer numbers — for example, version 2.0.2 corresponds to the 2021 release of SAMSON.
If you’re unsure which developer version corresponds to which public release year, check the mapping between version numbers and years in the User Guide for older SAMSON versions.
Running Multiple Versions
If you already have one version of SAMSON installed but need to open a different one, you don’t have to uninstall anything. Instead, you can directly launch the desired version using its dedicated executable:
On Windows:
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C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/9.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe |
On macOS:
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$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/ |
On Linux:
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$HOME/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/9.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.sh |
This flexibility is particularly useful when you’re testing compatibility or gradually transitioning to a newer version.
Good Practices When Using Older Versions
- Always document the SAMSON version you’re using in publications or collaborative work.
- Verify that the Extensions you need are compatible with your chosen version.
- If you’re a new user, the latest version is still recommended unless you have specific reasons to go older.
Older versions can offer stability and compatibility — but remember, updates often include important bug fixes, performance improvements, and new capabilities. So it’s good to evaluate your needs carefully before sticking with an earlier release.
To learn more about installing and managing different versions of SAMSON, visit the official documentation page at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/faq/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.