Windows 7: Chrome Stable 4 Question. Well 2

So from what I have gathered the "new" release of Chrome Stable build 4 IS (if you were running it) Chrome Beta 4 build 4.0.249.78. They take the beta build and pipe them through to stable releases. There is no difference between these two builds other than, I presume the stable release does not have beta in the "about Chrome" tab. Is this correct? It's what I have gleaned from checking a variety of Chrome related blogs & what not.

2. If this is true how would one then move to the dev builds without uninstalling Beta 4? Love Chrome but have always found the update cycles frustrating exponentially. Any clarification would be good for me & others I suspect.
Regards,
J23

You never need to reinstall to go to a higher version. Just choose Dev from the channel changer and open About in Chrome, to be updated.

To go back to a lower version, such as Beta from Dev or Stable from Beta, you will need to reinstall.

Hope this helps,
~JK

Chrome generally goes in this order with development;

Nightly -> Dev -> Beta -> Stable

As said, you can update using a channel changer, but only to higher build strings. Trying to revert to a prior build/lower build string will require a re-installation of chrome, however your settings and data will stay in tact unless you choose to delete those while uninstalling Chrome.

As for the first part, I'm sure there are some (likely not many) changes between the stable version and the beta version. Same build string doesn't 'always' mean its exactly the same.

Thanks for the replies. I am aware of the order of builds., however, I do not have the channel changer. I do not know why? Is this a separate download still? If so where would I find it? I thought I had it by running the beta but am unable to find it. I previously had only used stable build 1,2 then beta 3, Forgot about Chrome for week or so after installing Windows 7 then I tried the Dev build of 4 but it did not install correctly so I installed the current build -Beta 4. Now wish to move to stable 4. Boy I am really articulating this beautifully:huh

J23

Here's the channel changer.

Google Chrome Channel Changer - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Thanks. So I will download this and then choose stable. Does this mean that the beta & Dev channels will now be ahead (moving towards next stable build) of the current stable 4?
J
I should mention I am trying to quit coffee so...well that might explain the lack of synaptic relays & general state of confusion I feel. By end of week my threads will be "How does one tie their shoes.?

Yes. First the Dev and Beta channels get updated (in that order), and as they work out bugs and decide which features to keep, the lower versions get updated.

Thanks for straightening that out for me guys. Props to all.
Regards,
J23

Thanks for the changer, it now says Im on stable branch so Ill have to change it again.