Will I need to upgrade before activating subscription?

Allen,

Just bought NIS 2011 for 3 PCs.  2 are Win 7 64 bit systems (1 new with a first time CD installation, 1 new with a 30 free trial set to expire Feb. 2nd).  The 3rd is a Vista Home Basic 32 bit system with 30 days remaining on current subscription.  The 3rd PC has NIS 2009 installed with a version of 16.8.0.41 and the subscription has always been current.  I read in another post that the current version should be 18.5.0.125.  Based on your comment "you are always entitled to the latest version of Norton at no additional charge as long as your subscription is kept current. E.g., the only cost is the subscription itself so when say NIS 2011 updates to NIS 2012 you will get that update for free as long as your subscription is current at the time." , shouldn't this PC have the current version of NIS?  What will happen when the product key is entered for the subscription renewal?  Will it download the current version or will I need to upgrade to NIS 2011 (download or CD) before activating the subscription?  Is any info available that lists what version range applicable to the specific years of NIS (2009, 2010,2011 etc.)?

Thanks. 

 

 

[edit: Clarified subject.]