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The term upgrade is most often used in computing, generally meaning a replacement of hardware or software with a newer one, in order to bring the system up to date. The word is also often used by audiophiles to describe the replacement of a product with a better quality product with the aim of bringing enhancements to sound quality.

Common hardware upgrades are installing additional memory (RAM), adding larger hard disks, replacing microprocessor cards or graphics cards, and installing new versions of software, although many other upgrades are often possible as well. Common software upgrades include changing the version of an operating system, office suite, anti-virus program, or various other tools.

Software upgrades are often downloaded from the Internet. Often the download is a patch—it does not contain the new version of the software in its entirety, just the changes that need to be made. Software patches usually aim to improve functionality or solve problems with security. Rushed patches have been known to cause more harm then good and are therefore sometimes regarded with skepticism for a short time after release. Patches are generally free.

A software upgrade can be major or minor and the release version is increased accordingly. A major upgrade will change the version number, whereas the minor will usually follow with a ".01", ".02", ".03", etc. For example, version 10.03 means that that is the third minor upgrade of version 10. The minor upgrades (or updates) are generally free, but the major versions must be purchased. See also: sidegrade.

An "upgrade" is when you replace a product with a newer version of that same product. When you make an upgrade of the same product from one company to the other, you are making a "competitive upgrade".

The hobby is a rich playground for potential upgraders and tweakers.

The noun 'upgrade' is used in audiophile circles to describe the replacement of a system component or components, for example a low quality or low powered electronic amplifier, with a better quality or more powerful amplifier from the same or different manufacturer's product range ostensibly to improve on the quality of reproduced music from the hi-fi system.

However, the description generally excludes the modification to the sound using different types of interconnect cables, or the replacement of electronic components within the system components by the owners in order to customise the sound, as this would constitute DIY or tweaking.

The word has spawned the noun upgraditis, which is used to describe a person's obsession, compulsion, or addiction akin to a disease to perpetually changing his/her hi-fi system components in order to obtain ever greater enjoyment and fulfillment through enhancements to sound quality. Although the original aim is to improve the sound quality, persons with extreme manifestations of this disorder may completely lose sight of the objective, and would make frequently and highly expensive component changes for its own sake.