You do not need to uninstall previous versions of Surfer (i.e. Surfer 10) before installing Surfer 12, provided you install them in different directories. By default, this will be the case.

You do not need to uninstall a previous version of Surfer 12 before installing an updated version of Surfer 12, as the installation package will automatically do this for you.

Minor updates (i.e. version 12.0 to 12.1, when available) may be downloaded for free if your serial number is registered. Connect your computer to the Internet, then go to Help | Check for Update in Surfer. This will download the latest patch and install it on your machine.

Major upgrades contact Hearne.

Installing Surfer 12 requires that you be logged into an account that has Administrator rights. Golden Software does not recommend installing Surfer 12 over any previous version of Surfer. Please ensure that you install Surfer 12 into a new directory, which is what will happen by default. Surfer 12 can co-exist with older versions as long as they are in different directories.

To begin the installation, either insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive, or double-click on the downloaded EXE file to run it. See below for details of each method.

Installing Surfer on a Local Drive from CD:

1. Insert the CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. The Setup program automatically begins on most computers. 
2. Choose the "Install Surfer" option from the screen and setup will begin.

If the Setup program does not automatically start, double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Open the CD-ROM drive which contains the Surfer disk by double-clicking on the CD-ROM icon. From the CD-ROM folder find and double-click on Autorun.exe to launch Surfer's Setup program. Select "Install Surfer" option and setup will begin.

Installing Surfer on a Local Drive Using a Downloaded EXE:

1. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop and navigate to the folder containing the downloaded file.
2. Double-click the downloaded file to begin the installation process.

To uninstall Surfer:

Windows XP
To uninstall Surfer, go to the Control Panel and double click on Add/Remove Programs. Select “Surfer 12" (or “Surfer Demo 12” for the demo version) from the list of installed applications. Click the Remove button to uninstall Surfer.

Windows Vista
To uninstall Surfer when using the Regular Control Panel Home, click the Uninstall a program link. Select “Surfer 12” (or “Surfer Demo 12” for the demo version) from the list of installed applications. Click the Uninstallbutton to uninstall Surfer.

To uninstall Surfer when using the Classic View, go to the Control Panel and double click on Programs and Features. Select “Surfer 12” (or “Surfer Demo 12” for the demo version) from the list of installed applications. Click the Uninstall button to uninstall Surfer.

Windows 7
To uninstall Surfer, go to the Control Panel and click the Uninstall a program link. Select “Surfer 12” (or “Surfer Demo 12” for the demo version) from the list of installed applications. Click the Uninstall button to uninstall Surfer.

Windows 8
From the Start screen, right-click the Surfer 12 tile and click the Uninstall button at the bottom of the screen. Alternatively, right-click anywhere on the Start screen and click All apps at the bottom of the screen. Right-click the Surfer 12 tile and click Uninstall at the bottom of the screen.

Yes, Surfer 12 comes as a 32-bit application and as a 64-bit application. Both can be installed and run on Windows 64-bit.

If you are using a 32-bit version of Windows, then Surfer 12 32-bit is installed automatically.

If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, then Surfer 12 64-bit will be installed automatically. There is an option to install the 32-bit version instead, but we recommend installing the 64-bit version of Surfer 12. Although Surfer 32-bit is capable of installing and running on Windows 64-bit, the 32-bit version of Surfer 12 does not take advantage of the increased 64-bit memory space.

Yes, you should uninstall the Surfer demo before installing the full version of Surfer. There is not a way to “activate” the demo version to become the full version.

• Windows XP SP2 or higher, Vista, 7, 8 (excluding RT) or higher
• 32-bit and 64-bit supported
• 1024 x 768 or higher monitor resolution with 16-bit (or higher) color depth
• At least 500 MB free hard disk space
• At least 512 MB RAM minimum

The most recent version of Surfer is 12.0.626.

Surfer 12 can open SRF files created in Surfer versions 7 through 11.

Surfer 12 can save SRF files in the Surfer 12 and Surfer 11 SRF format. Previous versions of Surfer (i.e. Surfer 10 or Surfer 9) cannot open the Surfer 12 or Surfer 11 SRF files.

The serial number is located on the CD sleeve, or in the download instructions you received when you ordered the software.  After you install Surfer and run it for the first time, you can also find your serial number by opening the software and going to Help | About Surfer. TheAbout Surfer dialog box will show the serial number.