desktop/doc/autoupdate.rst

=====================
The Automatic Updater
=====================

The Automatic Updater ensures that you always have the 
latest features and bug fixes for your ownCloud synchronization client.

The Automatic Updater updates only on Mac OS X and Windows computers; Linux 
users only need to use their normal package managers. However, on Linux systems 
the Updater will check for updates and notify you when a new version is 
available.

.. note:: Because of various technical issues, desktop sync clients older than 
   1.7 will not be allowed to connect and sync with the ownCloud 8.1+ server. It 
   is highly recommended to keep your client updated.

Basic Workflow
--------------

The following sections describe how to use the Automatic Updater on different 
operating systems.

Windows
^^^^^^^

The ownCloud client checks for updates and downloads them when available. You
can view the update status under ``Settings -> General -> Updates`` in the
ownCloud client.

If an update is available, and has been successfully downloaded, the ownCloud
client starts a silent update prior to its next launch and then restarts
itself. Should the silent update fail, the client offers a manual download.

.. note:: Administrative privileges are required to perform the update.

Mac OS X
^^^^^^^^

If a new update is available, the ownCloud client initializes a pop-up dialog
to alert you of the update and requesting that you update to the latest
version. Due to their use of the Sparkle frameworks, this is the default
process for Mac OS X applications.

Linux
^^^^^

Linux distributions provide their own update tools, so ownCloud clients that use
the Linux operating system do not perform any updates on their own. The client 
will inform you (``Settings -> General -> Updates``) when an update is 
available.

Preventing Automatic Updates
----------------------------

In controlled environments, such as companies or universities, you might not
want to enable the auto-update mechanism, as it interferes with controlled
deployment tools and policies. To address this case, it is possible to disable
the auto-updater entirely.  The following sections describe how to disable the
auto-update mechanism for different operating systems.

Preventing Automatic Updates in Windows Environments
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Users may disable automatic updates by adding this line to the [General] 
section of their ``owncloud.cfg`` files::

 skipUpdateCheck=true

Windows administrators have more options for preventing automatic updates in 
Windows environments by using one of two methods. The first method allows users 
to override the automatic update check mechanism, whereas the second method 
prevents any manual overrides.

To prevent automatic updates, but allow manual overrides:

1. Edit these Registry keys:

    a. (32-bit-Windows) ``HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ownCloud\ownCloud``
    b. (64-bit-Windows) ``HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\ownCloud\ownCloud``

2. Add the key ``skipUpdateCheck`` (of type DWORD).

3. Specify a value of ``1`` to the machine.

To manually override this key, use the same value in ``HKEY_CURRENT_USER``.

To prevent automatic updates and disallow manual overrides:

.. note:: This is the preferred method of controlling the updater behavior using 
   Group Policies.

1. Edit this Registry key:

    ``HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\ownCloud\ownCloud``

2. Add the key ``skipUpdateCheck`` (of type DWORD).

3. Specify a value of ``1`` to the machine.

.. note:: Enterprise branded clients 
   (see `Building Branded ownCloud Clients 
   <https://doc.owncloud.org/branded_clients/>`_) have different key names, 
   which are set in ownBrander using the Application Vendor and Application 
   Name fields. Your key names look like this::

   ``HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\myCompanyName\myAppName``


Preventing Automatic Updates in Mac OS X Environments
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You can disable the automatic update mechanism, in the Mac OS X operating system,
by copying the file
``owncloud.app/Contents/Resources/deny_autoupdate_com.owncloud.desktopclient.plist``
to ``/Library/Preferences/com.owncloud.desktopclient.plist``.

Preventing Automatic Updates in Linux Environments
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Because the Linux client does not provide automatic updating functionality, there is no
need to remove the automatic-update check.  However, if you want to disable it edit your desktop
client configuration file, ``$HOME/.local/share/data/ownCloud/owncloud.cfg``. 
Add this line to the [General] section::

    skipUpdateCheck=true