Hello All,
I just started Kicad with version 8.0.7 and was just notified that there is an update to 8.0.8. I downloaded it and was wondering if there are steps or precautions I need to take before doing the update. Does this update the old version automatically or just going to install another whole program? 
Just install it in the same way you installed v8.0.7, the new bugfix will safely overwrite the previous version. Depending on your operating system, upgrading to a new major version (v9, when it comes out in a few weeks) may not directly replace v8 so you can have different major versions simultaneously.
Thank you for the quick response scandey, Just wondering if waiting for v9 to come out instead of updating to 8.0.8 would be better? Then just uninstall v8. Having several versions of the same software seams like cluttering up my PC to me. Unless there is good reason?
Updating between bugfix versions is usually recommended, and as was said, it doesn’t clutter the file system, so you don’t have to think it twice. What to do with v9 is a more difficult decision. New features aren’t probably critical for you and a brand new major version may – or will – have more bugs than a high-numbered bugfix version (new z in x.y.z). Because you are a new user and use KiCad for a hobby I would advice to stick to v8 for a couple of months and take your time to somehow get familiar with new features of v9, for example by reading Post-V8 New Features and Development News.
I’d personally always immediately install a new bugfix version, there’s never a downside. It overwrites the previous bugfix in the same major version and is totally compatible with your existing design files.
While Kicad is better year after year, the first release of a new major version is often buggier and for some people it pays to wait for a bugfix or two. In that case, you’d definitely want to be waiting with the latest and greatest of v8.
Also, until all SWIG plugins are replaced with IPC plugins, there are often incompatibilities with addons because the API changed. This is also a good reason to wait a month or so before finally updating to a new major version
I think with one V5 bugfix version a serious bug was introduced so the next version was in few days. So ‘immediately’ could be understood with some small delay.
Thank you all for your input. It all does make sense now. I’m sure happy that this forum exists. 
As a retired developer - from the days when we had Alpha 1,2,3, BETA 1,2,3, RC 1,2,3 - NEVER install a new version of well a supported product like KiCad before at least one month and bugfixes for one week unless you’ve read the feature or bugfix list and there is something you absolutely need.