bts.upgrade In computers, an upgrade is a new version of or addition to a hardware or, more often, software product that is already installed or in use. Upgrades may be sold as specially labeled, less expensive "upgrade" packages (as, for example, Microsoft's Office suite products) to existing users alongside versions of the product that are made for sale to first-time users. In other models of software distribution, an upgrade may also be available for free or for-charge downloading from the product maker's site.