Automatic client update on Windows

Guido17 · March 12, 2022, 2:28pm

I have installed nextcloud at my company one year ago.
The main feature is syncronize data on different devices: Home PC, Work PC, Smartphone.

All the company user are configured as standard user.
Nobody can install a programm.
Even not the update of the nextcloud windows client.

Therefore I have to do the updates.

This is for me annoying.
The clients are never up to date.

Is it not the wish, that the nextcloud client have the newest software version ?
This is actually not practicable for me/us.

Is an automatic windows client update already intened ?
If not why ?

I knew the argumentation, all users should do the update carefully and initiated.
After careful consideration, i favor maybe not stable software over out dated software.

Nobody will be forced to use the automatic update mechanism.
This should be a selectable feature only.

It will be a great pleasure for me, if automatic client update is available.

Mornsgrans · March 12, 2022, 4:18pm

You are lucky

Since Nextcloud Desktop client 3.4.x is available, a lot of problems appeared. So you should remain at version 3.3.3

Starting with Desktop client version 3 there also is a MSI-package available, so you should be able to roll the updates out via your domain controller.

The installation by end user needs admin permission. So the default user will not be able to install it.

wwe · March 12, 2022, 8:06pm

The problem is not specific to Nextcloud. You must update all the programs and the OS itself - majority of this programs require admin rights for updates. There are lot of ways to update the software in the company - with advantages and drawbacks… you should definitely automate software updates - otherwise you are at risk using vulnerable software versions.

Guido17 · March 13, 2022, 11:03am

Yes - I agree completely

There a more sofware, that have to update manually with adminstrator right.
In some case you are forced to answer all installation questions instead of
update with current options.

So nextcloud is in a big group of software with the same missing.

It sounds like " That’s the way we’ve always done it."

Do you agree with, all software should habe the newest version.
Here is a chance to help.

stratege1401 · March 13, 2022, 12:35pm

This is called been an administrator … You manage your server and your user …

Guido17 · March 14, 2022, 10:21am

This may be a strong argument for a lazy administrator with the meaning more working hours more money.
But I do my job seriously.

Everthing that can done automated, should be done without my interaction.
Everthing that is not automated is outdated.

My skills are too hight for clicking update buttons.

lucktsm · January 24, 2023, 6:43pm

Hey all, I have been struggling with automatic updates on Windows as well, we have a script that sort of works, but I can’t get it to actually work. I am not sure why. But this is close!

Nextcloud client auto-update script - Luck 1/23/23

$updateUrl = “https://download.nextcloud.com/desktop/releases/Windows/latest”

$tempPath = “$env:temp\NextcloudSetup.exe”

$installPath = “$env:ProgramFiles\Nextcloud”

Download the update

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $updateUrl -OutFile $tempPath

Stop the Nextcloud client

Stop-Process -Name “nextcloud” -Force

Install the update

Start-Process -FilePath $tempPath -ArgumentList “/S /D=$installPath” -Wait

Start the Nextcloud client

Start-Process -FilePath “$installPath\nextcloud.exe”

the problem is the lastest version that comes from this link is 3.4.4. not really the latest version.

lucktsm · January 24, 2023, 6:44pm

If anyone has a better way of actually keeping it updated I am really interested in it.

R4U5CH · February 16, 2024, 7:08am

Hi,
also looking for a way to update the official Nextcloud Client on PCs/users without admin rights.
Workarounds like “portable” are not that good.

Thanks a lot.

vnagornyy · February 16, 2024, 11:03am

The team is actively working on this issue.

github.com/nextcloud/desktop

🪟 Install updates without user intervention on Windows

opened 08:34PM - 26 Aug 23 UTC

BartG95

enhancement feature:

install and update 🍀 2024-Spring

### How to use GitHub * Please use the 👍 [reaction](https://blog.github.com/2…016-03-10-add-reactions-to-pull-requests-issues-and-comments/) to show that you want to have the same feature implemented. * Please don't comment if you have no relevant information to add. It's just extra noise for everyone subscribed to this issue. * Subscribe to receive notifications on status change and new comments. ### Feature description Some of my family members use my small home Nextcloud server, and they use Windows. They don't like the fact that they are notified for an update almost every week and then have to manually install it (with multiple times clicking 'next' and then a question to restart their computer). They *do* understand the necessity of updates, so they don't want to disable the update check, but they much rather want an in-between option: 'do check for updates, but not to often (maybe once a month)'. At least, that is what they literally suggested to me.

ATX · February 19, 2024, 10:03pm

Thanks for sharing ! I’ll use it with the following edit:

I do believe the most updated files are .msi only so you will need a url like https://github.com/nextcloud-releases/desktop/releases/download/v3.12.0/Nextcloud-3.12.0-x64.msi.

Then you msiexec.exe /I "<msi path>" /quiet /norestart and this is done !

R4U5CH · February 25, 2024, 6:54pm

Hi @ATX and @lucktsm
think your scripts won’t work because of no admin rights. And that’s the main problem with the whole topic and NC client update.
Or correct me if I’m wrong.
Best!

ATX · February 25, 2024, 8:00pm

The script above is a solution to update NC without gui if you have admin privileges. This is not a solution to provide automatic unprivileged updates (that requires changes on NC code). But that’s a solution for admins (OP) to batch/plan update i.e. if you have a remote console that’s already a decent solution.