Please post your OS and the version of IP you are using (the about tab).

Open Impulse and go to My Software. Find IP in the list, hold down shift and right click on it. From the list, select Verify Installation. If it tells you it is not installed correctly, run the update it will offer you.

This is for the paid version, I don't know if it works for the free version.

If you are using the paid version, yes. You need Impulse to update your software.

Again....This is for the paid version, I don't know if it works for the free version, which may have been a stand-alone install.

Are you using the paid version or the trial version?  You should email support@stardock.co and start a trouble ticket.  This is the weekend so you will need to wait until Monday to get a response.