Seven Update RC2 is out!

RC2 is ready to be public but is still missing some features which will be in RC3 or 1.0 release, which are detailed below.

What is Seven Update:

Seven Update is an open source update platform for windows. It allows an easy way to keep your software updated. Much like windows update, it offers automatic update notification and installation. If your familiar with linux, think of a package manager for Windows, the difference being Seven Update does not officially support Installation of programs. Seven Update is also great for developers with an easy to use SDK to create “.sui” and “.sua” files. The SDK allows the developer to easily use Seven Update for their update distribution needs.Seven Update is OPEN SOURCE and FREE to consumers, Open source projects, and non-profit organizations. Commercial use does require a license, which does have a fee.

Seven Update Release Candidate 2 Information:

RC2 brings numerous bug fixes and UI updates that make it easier to update your favorite software. There have been several memory and speed optimizations as well as architectural changes as well.

Some of the highlights include:

• More secure updating, you must have admin privileges to download updates now, previously admin was only needed for installation.
• Better automatic update options
• Uses less resources especially for automatic updates.
• Easier to translate the program UI
• Software updates for Seven Update no longer need a reboot (after the RC2 update)
• Various bug fixes

Release Candidate 2 Install Notes:

If you have Seven Update RC1 installed, Seven Update will notify you of the RC2 Update. Please note this process is a 2 part update. The first part will be installed and a reboot will be needed. After you have rebooted your computer, run Seven Update and check for updates again to install the 2nd part. The 2nd part will not need a reboot and complete the RC2 update. After RC2 is installed, other software updates may be available.

After RC2 is installed, please re configure your automatic update settings as this feature has been updated and may need updated.

RC2 does introduce the ability for Seven Update to update itself without a reboot. Most of the updates will not need a reboot, however while in dev status you may need to reboot after updates more often. I will try to minimize that and already have taken the necessary steps do to so.

What if i have problems (crashes, bugs) after the RC2 update?

Please run this file, must be an admin to make it work and Seven Update should be closed. Now run Seven Update and check for updates and install them. If that does not work, or you want to avoid any more hassle. Uninstall Seven Update, run the program, download the new installer and reinstall. The reason for the crashes is due to the update history, hidden updates, and application list. The format has changed since RC1 and an outdated SU cannot read them correctly. Sorry for the inconvenience, however i do not anticipate any issues as long as the user updates without first going into the history, hidden, or option pages. Once Seven Update has been updated, it will delete any old files (just like that that program does) to avoid any issues.

What didn’t make it in RC2:

Full locale support will be out sometime in july.

Close file/program and retry prompt may appear in the next release

Seven Update SDK RC2 Information:

SDK RC2 brings enhancements to the SUI format, i have already implemented locale support in the SUI, which will make it easier to transition and update the program UI’s when full support is ready.

SUI files created from previous releases are not compatible and will cause issues if you try to use them. This should be the last breaking change. Future SUI updates will be backcompat and updatable without recreating them. Also in RC2 is the ability to add multiple files at once, it also pre fills in all of the required info, making it easier and faster to create an update.

The format support is now implemented for locale’s (allowing translation and multiple languages for Update and App Info strings). As the user base grows and the existing user base updates to RC2, it is going to make the transition for locale support smooth.

The only thing i need to implement for full SUI locale support would be to code the UI to select, save and switch languages, which is going to be a bit tricky, but should be done sometime in july.

The program UI’s are already able to be translated.

Seven Update SDK Beta

In case anyone was wondering, the reason why the SDK is still in Beta because it’s not as feature complete as i would like it. I am going to add a SUI Verifier tool that will basically run through the SUI and simulate an update to make sure everything is working and to verify directories, files, download locations, etc.

Release Candidate 1 and SDK Beta 2 Released!

I have released RC 1 of Seven Update, and a Beta 2 update of the SDK. If you have Seven Update installed previously, please uninstall (don’t upgrade). Normally Seven Update will update itself, however there were some breaking changes with the format so it may not work. Also there is a 64 bit version, if your running Windows x64, you must have the new 64 bit edition installed, you can’t run x86.

You may know, .Net apps can run x86 and x64 nativley in the same exe, however Windows Installer MSI’s don’t allow a hyrbid installation. Since i don’t want Seven Update to install in c:\programs files (x86) on a 64 bit os, i have to make 2 installers so they both will end up in %PROGRAMFILES%. I may look into another install solution to get around this stupid limitation.

Changes for Seven Update:

• Updated UI
• Hidden Updates bug fixes
• Update History bug fixes
• Fixed Seven Update not being able to recover from a download error (BITS issue)
• Fixed Seven Update from not installing any updates after an error occurs unless a reboot is performed in some cases
• Fixed Misc UI bugs
• Updated Resource strings and fixed spelling mistakes
• Removed support to allow download suspension.
• Updated the Update History to show reason if update failed
• Memory and Performance Enhancements
• Embedded Program List into the Options page.
• SUA/SUI format Updates
• Added proper x64 support
• Added list sorting to Program List
• Misc Bug Fixes

Changes for Seven Update SDK

• Fixed crash on loading corrupted SUI files
• Memory and Performance Enhancements
• SUA/SUI format Updates
• Added proper x64 support
• Misc Bug Fixes

Seven Update Beta 2 Released!

Seven Update Beta 2 and the SDK has been released to the public. Download Here

Beta brings numerous enhancements to features and performance. Seven Update is now Vista UAC compliant and provides better code security. Beta 2 brings a new SUI format that is not only faster to read and write, but allows upgrade maintanability between older versions. It also introduces the SUA format, which allows software publishers to add their application to Seven Update with ease, either automated or by the user. SUA contains specific details needed to allow SU to update an application.

Applications that can be updated with Seven Update are virtually unlimited. Publishers, download the SDK and add support for your application, no code changes needed!

Anti-Corruption feature, SU verifies files by their SHA1 hash, so users will always have a valid file, if the file is corrupted or modified, SU will detect it and can update the file.

Beta 2 removes the ability to install applications, this was done as a security measure, but for standards as well. We think Windows Installer does a great job already.

So whats next? We have some great features planned including:

• SUI validator for the SDK, detects any problems and presents solutions.
• List Sorting
• Prompt to close files in use that need updating, this will prevent needing a reboot in these circumstances
• Seven Update updates won’t require a reboot.
• Code Cleanup
• Help documentation

Seven Update SDK Beta 1 Released

I have finished and released the first beta of the SDK to Seven Update. I have done as much bug hunting as i can and made sure it works with XP and Vista without a hitch. The SDK will enable developers to easily create a SUI file for use with Seven Update.

The current version of Seven Update is not compatible with the SDK! Any sui created with the SDK will fail to function in Seven Update. An update to SU will be released ASAP.

Download

I released the SDK because it is ready for widespread testing and use, also developers can get used to the platform and creating SUI’s.

Introducing Seven Update

Seven Update is a open source update & installation platform for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008. It runs on the .Net 2.0 Framework, which is installed on over 80% of XP Computers and All of Vista+ computers.

Seven Update is versatile, it can be used by any application and it’s easy for developers to learn and use. Providing a familiar and easy to use interface to End Consumers, and a powerful backend for developers, Seven Update is a major asset to distribution and installation of your application and it’s updates.

Seven Update uses a XML based file for storing and getting update information. It relies on SHA1 Hash algorithim to provide download verification and determining if a file needs updated. It only downloads and installs the files that are not present or need updating. It also can Add/Remove registry entries, add file extensions, register dll and ocx files, create shortcuts, and more. If an application was installed using Seven Update, then it can be uninstalled just as easily!

Imagine no more complicated installer programs or frustrating installer screens. Updates & installations are downloaded and installed seamlessly with little to no user required interaction. You can port over your current update & installation solution to the Seven Update platform. You can even add update checking for your application in 5 lines of code or less!

Seven Update is a standalone program, it automatically checks for updates and works much like Windows Update (Vista) or a package manager for linux. More details will be released shortly along with a p