Family Tree Maker 2019 (FTM 2019), launched on September 29, 2019, represents a substantial advancement in genealogical software, focusing on enhancing user experience and research efficiency. Updating the software is crucial for resolving issues like data entry freezes and ensuring seamless synchronization with ancestry and FamilySearch. The update process involves straightforward steps: opening the program, checking for updates via the help option, downloading any available updates, and running the installer after backing up your family tree data.