If your licensed version was purchased within the past six-months, registration should still be good. If not... https://www.nch.com.au/upgrade/
Or take a look here. Download/install a release that is later than the one you have, but is still within the six-month window. Chances are that the issue you experienced will have been fixed.
There's no mandate to install the very latest version - especially if the one you own is doing the job.
Unlicensed free and trial releases can always be test driven, to see what's new or improved. If unlicensed, features may be limited.