There are two ways to patch the client:

Autopatching

Every time you start the EVE client it will check to see if you have the correct version to play. If you do not have the correct version you will be given the option to patch the game. We call the process that manages this the "Autopatcher".

The Autopatcher will download the patch file into the cache folder. Once the download is complete, you will get a dialogue option where the Autopatcher asks if it should apply the patch. If you accept and everything works out, the game should be up and running in a matter of minutes.

Manual patching

In some cases autopatch may not detect that an update is available. You will get the following error message: 'Status: Incompatable' under the server selection dropdown menu.

The first thing you will have to do is to go to the patch page on the EVE website, http://www.eve-online.com/patches/patches.asp. Find the patch that will bring your client to the correct version.

(If you are unsure what patch you should download please refer to the patch notes site, where you can find what the most current version of the game is.)

When the patch has been downloaded, you will have to install it. Double click the patchfile and choose your EVE install folder (usually C:\Program Files\CCP\EVE).

When the patch has been applied, you'll be ready to log on to play EVE.