You may first make sure your Win8/10 is a 64-bit OS. That said, you then may want to back up your filters/presets and such and do a complete un-install before re-install. I don't believe the install uninstalls your previous version of GIMP; just upgrades it.

OK. I'll do a clean install and then reinstall my old version if that's the way Wilber rolls! LOL Yes I have an x64 system, I quit drinking years ago! Thanks for the info Lyle.

Update: I didn't have to do a clean install. GIMP does remove old program versions and does a new install, not an upgrade. All I had to do is reinstall my old version after it finished. Then I checked the versions in the task manager (thanks Wallace) and it is 64 bit.

Note: GIMP does put the 64 bit program files in the (x86) 32 bit file folder. Not a big deal to me but worth noting. You can change that location if you do a custom install. OK enough, I'm happy now!

I'm running Xubuntu 16.04LTS and I have currently installed GIMP 2.8.16. (And I'm trying to figure if I should get this new 2.8.18.)

1) What is the security risk they refer to? (I looked at the link, something about an attacker supplying code, but I didn't understand it.) Does it apply to me or only Windows and OSX computers?

2) My GIMP 2.8.16 is loaded with fonts and brushes. Is there an easy way of transferring them to the new GIMP?

3) (granted, kind of a vague question) 2.8.16 works fine for me. Am I going to be shooting myself in the foot to get 2.8.18? You know, having to learn the new features etc.?

Thanks.

1) GIMP 2.8.18 notes.
2) Everything stays as is.
3) GIMP 2.8.18 is not a critical upgrade, it fixes a vulnerability. For Ubuntu flavours a PPA (ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp), is the easiest way to keep GIMP & G'MIC current. At the link you'll notice 'gimp', (2.8.x current stable) & 'gimp-edge', (2.9.x development). Both PPA include G'MIC. If you don't want to bother with a PPA and normally get GIMP from Xubuntu Software Centre, you'll have to wait for the next system upgrade.

Thanks Odinbc. But back to my #1 question. I did read that release note and really didn't understand it? "executing arbitrary code provided by the attacker" I don't know what that means. What is the security risk for me (a non-techie) in non-tech-speak? Am I vulnerable to getting a virus? What?

Hey, iggy. The way I understood the issue, it was if you opened an XCF file. My be is you rarely open any XCF files other than the ones that you create yourself. Definitely be weary of XCF files shared even from here of course, but supposedly the developers patched this particular exploit.

Thanks Lyle. Ah, I never even thought of that. I know it's really hard to get a virus from a .jpg but I never thought about an .xcf. I suppose I can just scan any .xcf files before I open them. (Or get the new GIMP.) Question. "My be..." I'm guessing "best estimate"?

Using linux, so small as to not worth worrying about.

Ah, that's what I like to hear. Thanks Rich.