Is limewire 4.16.6 safe to use?

[kee]

I have limewire 4.16.6 but hadn't used it for years, but when I opened it a while back there was a warning saying I should update to the latest version (I forget the reason, something to do with its vulnerability to viruses). I didn't bother as I only wanted one track so I closed it unused and unupdated. A few years later I want another track so I opened limewire again. The warning has gone, replaced by update to 5.2.

I noticed a recommendation to downgrade to version 4.16 if having trouble with latest version.
But I would have thought that warning still applied?

A few other questions, if I do have to update what do I do? Just download, not having to bother with the old version, uninstalling it or anything? Does installing and uninstalling affect your old downloaded files from the previous version?

Do users of earlier versions like 4.16 only have access to files of users with the same Limewire version?

I'm wary of updating given the problems updating can sometimes cause and the fact I download so little, but I'm mindful of that warning. I'd welcome your advice as to whether to update or if it's safe to use the version I have?