How to update VirtualBox without losing existing VMs

[Voyager]

Hello,

I'm currently using VirtualBox 4.2.8 on Windows 8.1. When I select "Check for updates", it says "You are already running the most recent version of VirtualBox", even though I know the latest stable version is 4.3.28. I want to update VirtualBox without losing the VMs I currently have. How can I get VirtualBox to recognize the new update and do the automatic download/install? If that's not possible, then if I manually download VirtualBox 4.3.28 and install on top of 4.2.8, will my existing VMs be carried over, or will I lose them? Thanks in advance for your advice.

[loukingjr]

You can manually install. Your VMs won't be touched. Don't forget to update the Extension Pack.

[Voyager]

Thanks, loukingjr. I did the manual install and found my VMs intact. Do you know why the built-in update feature didn't work?

[noteirak]

Do you know why the built-in update feature didn't work?

There is a known bug with the updater in older releases which don't pick up the new update.