AppLife Update

New Features in AppLife Update Version 4.0

• Improved Update Publishing and Management
  Publish to multiple update locations from your AppLife Update project, manage and compare update locations, move updates between locations, and more. Each configured update location can be managed and maintained independently. This is a significant shift from the behaviors of previous AppLife Update versions. Information about previous updates is no longer maintained within the AppLife Update project. Instead, this information is retrieved from each update location individually.
• New Visual Controls for More Options in Update Process Integration
  AppLife Update 4.0 comes with four new visual Windows Forms controls that you can use to quickly and easily implement automatic updating in your applications. Choose from an in-line style, system tray style, or details panel style updating experience. All of the controls use background update downloading so users have a simple, unobtrusive update experience. These controls can be dropped in and configured in an instant, and with optional settings such as static text and image replacements, automatic fade and repeated update checking, you can tune the behavior just the way you want. These controls are available with a limited license, providing UI flexibility not previously available with a limited license.
• New WPF Update Controls
  New WPF controls that provide drop-in automatic update integration. These controls provide the same property-based customizations as the new Windows Forms controls, but being true WPF look-less controls, can be re-templated to match your application.
• Improved Visual Studio Design Time Support
  Integrating AppLife Update into your new applications has never been easier. With new design-time support, you can set up a new project from Visual Studio and be publishing updates in seconds!
• Automatic Update Chaining
  Updates that target intermediate versions can now be downloaded and applied in a single update process, improving the update experience for infrequent application users.
• Install the .Net Framework 4.0 during an Update
  With the new Install .NET 4.0 update action, you can easily migrate your current application to the newest Microsoft .Net framework. This action checks for the presence of the .NET 4.0 framework, then installs the framework if necessary. The action can be configured to include the framework in your update, download it from Microsoft, or download it from a location on your internal network.
• Patch Folder Contents for Smaller Updates
  The new Patch Folder update action processes and compares an entire folder’s contents with that of a baseline and creates patches for files with differences between the target and baseline. Using patching technology, updates can be significantly smaller than using the file actions that replace entire files.
• Improved AppLife Make Update User Interface
  The Make Update application user interface has been redesigned to improve usability. A new build and publish update wizard, new project configuration window, and new update location management dialogs help you more intuitively accomplish your goals with AppLife Update.
• Update Log Viewer Utility
  The new update log viewer makes it easy to troubleshoot updates. With an automatic listing of log files and filters to quickly drill down into specific update stages, actions, and errors, the log viewer will quickly let you verify your updates are performing as expected and help identify the issue when an update fails.
• Windows Update Service Utility
  The new Windows update service utility helps in developing updates that utilize the AppLife Update windows service for permissions elevation. While in application development, you can easily register your applications with the service for testing updates.
• Full .Net Framework 4.0 Support
  The Microsoft .NET 4.0 framework installs side-by-side with previous versions of the framework. AppLife Update already supported updating deployed clients running the .NET Framework 2.0 and higher. Now all aspects of the AppLife Update solution provide full .NET 4.0 support. Specifically, Dynamic Code actions can now target the .NET 4.0 Framework, and the AppLife Update tools can operate on any system with the .NET 2.0 and/or .NET 4.0 Framework installed.

New Features in Applife Update Version 3.2

• .Net Framework 4.0 Support
  The AppLife Update Controller, Update Engine, and Windows Service now fully support the Microsoft .Net 4.0 Framework. Applications that target the 4.0 Framework can integrate AppLife Update and successfully discover and apply updates from deployed systems with only the .Net 4.0 Framework or the .Net 4.0 Client Profile installed. Note: The AppLife Make Update application and build tools still require the .Net 2.0 Framework to be present on update build machines.
• Visual Studio 2010 Support
  The AppLife Update Controller and designers are now fully compatible with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.
• Prevent System Shutdown during Update Execution
  If a system shutdown or restart is initiated during the execution of an update, the AppLife Update engine will cause a prompt to confirm shutdown.

New Features in Applife Update Version 3.1

• Action Base Path property
  The Action Base Path provides the ability to dynamically set the root path for relative file paths used in action configurations on the build system. The Action Base Path can be set within Make Update, or through a command line parameter of the command line build utility.
• Include subdirectories using the Masked Add & Replace files action
  The Masked Add & Replace files action supports including subdirectories. When selected, internal subdirectories are recursed and added to the update package. When the action executes on deployed clients, subdirectories are created if they do not already exist.
• Relative file path support for Custom Action assemblies
  Custom action assemblies referenced below the .aup project in directory hierarchy are linked relative to the .aup project file.
• Refresh the files list on the Add & Replace files action editor
  The file list status on the Add & Replace files action editor can be refreshed.
• Copy previous update actions to the clipboard
  Actions used in previously built updates can be copied to the clipboard and pasted into a new action list. The action configuration settings included in a built update are included. Note: Some action configuration properties are not included in a built update and cannot be restored.
• Ignore a failure on the Execute MSI Action
  The Execute MSI action can be configured to ignore a failure, allowing the update to continue.

New Features in Applife Update Version 3.0

• Create Custom Update Activity using Dynamic Code Actions
  The new Dynamic Action allows you to define customized update activity using C# or Vb.Net directly within AppLife Make Update. This action exposes the functionality of Custom Actions without requiring you to create and maintain your own custom action assemblies. Dynamic Actions can create and manipulate the Shared Properties collection, and combined with the Action Conditional Expressions, provides significant flexibility in update action execution control.
• Add Expressions to Conditionally Perform Update Actions
  Each action in an update list now supports a conditional expression. The expression is evaluated during update execution and the action is skipped if the expression evaluates to false. Conditional expressions supports the use of Shared Properties, which can be defined and set from the host application, from registry and Xml actions, and from dynamic code actions.
• Define Shared Property Values from Within the Host Application
  Shared Properties can now be defined within the host application and passed into the update process as the update is applied. This allows client-specific information to be passed into the update process and used to control the behaviors of update actions. Shared Properties can be used as part of update action conditional expressions as well as within dynamic actions and custom actions.
• Replace the Update Engine User Interface with your own Customized User Interface
  The Update Engine User Interface that is shown as an update is being executed is now completely customizable. With this new customization option, the entire visual aspect of your software update process is 100% customizable and can be made to match your application visuals.
• New Patch File Action
  The new Patch Existing File action allows for comparing the current version of a file with a previous existing version and generating a delta file as an update is being created. The delta file is then packaged in the update and used along with the existing file to create the newer file version on deployed systems. This action utilizes the Microsoft Delta Compression API to generate the patch file, and re-create the new file starting from the existing file.
• Execute Simultaneous Updates
  The update launcher extraction process now supports the execution of multiple update engines at the same time, allowing for simultaneous update execution.
• Xml Actions Now Support Namespaces
  The Xml Actions now support XPath namespace mapping, providing the means to read/modify Xml documents that utilize namespaces.
• Re-engineered Update Controller IPC Functionality
  The Update Controller Inter-Process communications behavior has been improved to handle more updating scenarios. Notable new features include:
  • Identify the process that initiated the update from processes that didn't
  • Identify the physical location of the initiating process assembly. This allows for ignoring the update process of a side-by-side installation.
  • Cancel the update process from non-initiating processes.
  • Ignore the update process from non-initiating processes.
  • Pass custom data from the initiating instance to all other listening instances.
  • Communicate between Windows Service Processes and User Station Processes.
  The new Update Controller IPC provides much more flexibility and expands the possible usage scenarios of the built-in IPC features in coordinating an update process between multiple processes.
• Previously Cached Downloads are now recognized by the Update Controller
  A download method no longer needs to be called in order to discover and use a previously downloaded and cached update package.
• Revamped AppLife Update Start Pane
  New AppLife Update related articles are made available to Make Update users through a new RSS Feed and displayed in the AppLife Make Update start pane.
• New Quick Start Examples
  Three new quick start examples are available that demonstrate custom actions, updating WPF applications, and the use of common update actions.

What's New in V2.0:

• Full Built-In UAC Support
  Configure the Update Controller to prompt for UAC elevation by setting a single property. Supports launcher code signing for proper publisher identification. Supports profile mapping to initiating user. Supports application restarting as the initiating user upon update completion.
• Support for the .Net Framework 3.5 Client Profile
  Integrates into .Net applications that target the client profile.
• Automatically Link the next Update Version
  Link the next build update version to the primary assembly version or file version.
• Windows Installer Action
  Integrate msi execution into AppLife Update action list updates.
• Replace Files On Restart Action
  Easily replace files that are in use at the next operating system restart.
• Restart Operating System Action
  Restart the operating system after an update completes by adding this action to your action list.
• Execute Command Line Action
  Execute command line commands during an action list update.
• Add and Remove .Net Assemblies from the Global Assembly Cache
  New update actions that allow for adding and removing assemblies into the global assembly cache (GAC).
• Compare Files with the Add & Replace Files by Comparison Action by File Content
  In addition to comparing folder content based on last modified time, files can now be compared and included if their content are not identical.
• Preview Files to be Added by Comparison
  Preview the files that the Add & Replace files by comparison action determines should be included.
• Extended Add & Replace Files Editor
  View file assembly and file versions. Set relative paths to files being added to updates.
• Additional Environment Folders
  Additional environment folders are now in the list of folders that can be targeted for file placement.
• Maintain Hidden and Read-Only Attributes
  Files added to updates with hidden and read-only attributes set will maintain attribute values when placed on the remote system.
• Register .Net Assemblies for COM Interop
  Register .Net assemblies for COM interop during action list updates.
• Summary Text Spell Checking
  The update summary text editor now spell checks English.
• Renamed the AppLife Update Service Executable
  The AppLife Update Service exe is now more standardly named kjsausvc.exe
• Comprehensive Logging of Update Engine Execution
  Action list update logs are now far more verbose and informative.
• API Access to Update History and Log Files
  New Update Controller classes and methods allow for programatic access to update history and logged information.
• Improved API Control of Updates
  Iterate available updates and set the next update directly through Update Controller properties(outside of the UpdateFound event handler).
• Wait on Update Completion
  Applications that apply multiple updates without host application shutdown can now easily wait on the completion of an update before continuing code execution.
• Serviced Update Logs are Available to Intitiating User
  Updates that are executed by the AppLife Update Windows Service are copied to the initiating users logging location.
• API Access to Last Update Status
  The Update Controller now has properties that identify the results of the last update.
• First Run Indication
  The Update Controller includes indication of the first time your applications are executed following an update.
• Extract Update Contents
  The contents of built update packages can now be easily extracted from AppLife Make Update.
• View the Update Build Output of Previous Updates
  From the previous updates list, review the that update's build output, identiifing the assembly and file versions included in each past update.
• Prevent Compression Bloat
  Highly compressed files can result in a larger file after GZip comression. Compression bloat is now prevented.

New Features in AppLife Update V1.3x

• Suppress Automatic Shutdown - A new ApplyUpdate option allows an update to be initiated without shutting down the hosting application.
• Skip Actions during a Build - Skip actions during a build without removing the actions from the action list. You can include/exclude any action in the list.
• Set More Shared Property Values - Use the Set Shared Property action to add common folder paths, the update version, or any text to the Shared Property collection, allowing the use of these values in other update actions.
• Access Update Package Size (in bytes) - Access update package file size information immediately after checking for updates, and before downloading the update.
• Add Default Network Credentials to the Auto Detected Proxy - Set a property on the Update Controller to add default credentials to the application scoped default web proxy.
• Set a Preferred Download Path - Override the default client update package download folder and set it to a preferred download location.
• Unlicensed Software Can Now Download Updates - The limitation preventing unlicensed AppLife Update software to detect and download updates has been removed.

What's new in V1.x:

• Update Engine User Interface Options -Implementers of AppLife™ Update Action List projects now have more control over the display and behavior of the Update Engine User Interface. You can choose to perform an immediate restart without requiring user intervention, you can choose to restart the hosting application, or you can choose to silently update by not showing an update user interface at all.
• SSL Download Support - Configure your application to check for and retrieve updates from SSL protected network locations. In addition, you can place updates in password secured network locations and configure your application to pass network credentials while checking for and retrieving updates.
• Localized Built-In User Interface - The Update Controller and Update Engine are now localized to seven cultures. Provide update user interfaces for users in english, chinese, french, german, italian, japanese, and spanish. Perform the string translations and you can utilize the AppLife™ Update user interface in any language.
• x64 Operating System Compatibility - Update your applications on both 32 and 64 bit Windows XP and Windows Vista. Explicitly target the 64 bit Registry and File System, as well as register 32 and 64 bit COM components.
• New Database Actions - Update client side databases during your updates. New provider-independent database actions allow you to easily perform transacted database work during updates. New actions include Begin Database Transaction, Commit Database Transaction, Transacted Database Query, Transacted Stored Procedure
• Expansion Variables - Share information between actions with Shared Property expansion variables. New actions designed to set Shared Property variables can be used to read configuration information from xml files, registry keys, and databases. With expansion variables, custom actions are not needed as often. Expansion variables also allow interaction between custom actions and built-in actions.
• Added Command Line Utility features - This feature allows for automating the switch between limited and normal availability of published updates.

AppLife Update is a complete update solution that’s ready for integration into your product.  It is one of the easiest solutions to integrate and use and the pricing and licensing model offers a sound business choice over developing your own.

Using AppLife Update, you can easily enable your applications to discover, download, and apply updates automatically with little or no user interaction. You can use AppLife Update actions to actually perform the update process of your software, or you can use Windows Installer packages. You can even use a completely custom executable to perform the update process.

Create & Publish
Update your software easily using AppLife Update actions, Windows Installer files, or your own updating application.

• AppLife Update Action Lists - Replace files, register COM components, modify Xml documents and more by adding the ready-to-use actions into an update project. Perform any custom actions your application requires with the extremely easy to use custom action infrastructure. Action list updates makes your automatic software update process extremely easy to implement.
• Windows Installer Updates - Deploy your Msi and Msp updates. AppLife Update will package these files into an update package and deploy them to your clients appropriately. Take advantage of the flexible update deployment architecture to accomplish your updates.
• Custom Updates - If you are using a completely custom update utility for your application, use AppLife Update to distribute your updater to your clients. Take advantage of the flexible deployment architecture to accomplish your updates.
• Automated Processes - Using the AppLife Update command line utility, you can easily automate building and publishing your software updates. Integrate building your updates right into your build process. MSBuild Actions and FinalBuilder actions can be downloaded.

The AppLife Update process is very transparent. AppLife Update compiles all of the files that are necessary to update your software into an update package. Information describing each update package is published so that the AppLife update component in your application can discover available updates. Once discovered, AppLife Update will download updates for you. Keep peace-of-mind that your application is secure as each update package is signed using public-private key cryptography. Your software will only apply updates after the package is validated that it is intact and originated from you.

Discover & Download
Integrate automatic update features into your .Net applications using the AppLife Update Controller component. The Update Controller does all of the work of discovering and downloading updates for you. You can serve updates to your software from any file or web server.

• Programming Your Application - AppLife Update features are integrated into your application source code by referencing a single assembly. The Update Controller allows you to easily implement updating features with a single line of code. The flexible AppLife Update architecture also allows you to totally customize the user experience. You can check for updates synchronously or asynchronously from within your own forms. You can handle events during the update process that allow you to perform custom tasks such as checking licensing or saving unfinished work. You are in total control of the process.
• Update From any Server - Any file server can operate as your update server. There are NO specific server requirements to use AppLife Update. Use http, ftp, UNC, or file paths for serving up your updates. Use Windows servers or Linux servers.
• Downloading Updates - Use the standard AppLife Update download form or create your own custom form. AppLife Update downloading is easily customized by using synchronous or asynchronous downloading methods. It does all of the difficult thread handling for you. Automatically detect proxy settings or set them manually. AppLife Update makes it very easy to integrate clean and robust automatic network updating features into your .Net applications.

The Update Controller can be freely distributed without royalties with your software. The Update Controller API is fully documented and the software includes three Quick Start example applications that demonstrate implementation of the most common features.

Validate & Apply
The AppLife Update Controller validates every downloaded update package to ensure integrity and source. After validation, updates are applied using an AppLife Update Action List, the Windows Installer, or your own custom update executable.

• Cryptographic Validation - After the update package is downloaded from your update server, the Update Controller in your application validates the update by checking its signature with the application's public cryptographic key. Only after validating the update, can it be applied.
• Shutdown All Instances - Applying an update first closes all instances of the application being updated so that its files can be replaced. Before closing, you can handle an event to ensure each instance is ready to be closed. You can perform tasks such as saving work in progress, closing other applications, or writing your own logs. If any instance is not ready for closing, you can even cancel the update process.
• VistaUAC Ready - With AppLife Update action list updates, your automatic update process is ready for Windows Vista and the User Account Control (UAC).
• Elevated Privileges - The AppLife Update Service can elevate user privileges during the application of your AppLife Update action list updates. Elevating privileges allows standard users to update your software without administrative support. AppLife Update makes it easy to deploy the service with your software by including a Merge Module (msm) that installs the service and registers your application for elevation. The AppLife Update service will only update applications that are administratively registered.

Applife Update action list updates are applied on your clients with a clean and simple user interface that keeps the user informed of progress during the update process. You can brand the update user interface screen by applying your logo and application name to the form. Each applied update is fully transacted and logged. AppLife Update securely and reliably applies updates to your software on your client computers.

AppLife Update Features:

• Integrates into your application - Integrate AppLife automatic update features into your .Net application by adding a single component
• No server requirements - Host AppLife Update packages on any file server
• Fine grain versioning control - AppLife Update provides fine control over the specific software versions that can apply your updates
• Download and publish updates using Http/Ftp/UNC/Filepath addresses - Use AppLife Update over the internet, on your local network, or both
• Automatic proxy detection - AppLife Update automatically detects proxy settings for you. You can also manually configure proxy server settings
• Public-Private key validation - Have peace-of-mind that your software is secure with AppLife Update. Each update package is signed with your own private key during publishing and verified with the associated public key before it is applied
• Create custom update actions - Perform application specific custom update activities with AppLife Update custom actions. Create custom actions in your favorite .Net language. Patterned after the .Net custom control architecture, building custom actions for AppLife Update is extremely intuitive to .Net developers
• Controlled rollout - Avoid server and network congestion by staggering update rollout over a period of hours with controlled rollouts
• Documented API - Complete and thorough documentation on all of the customizable features of AppLife Update
• Command line utility for automation integration- Integrate AppLife Update directly into your automated build process with the command line build and publish utility
• Replace files, register COM assemblies, edit config(xml) files - Using AppLife Update, you can easily perform most of the actions necessary to update .Net applications by using built in AppLife Update actions
• Build and distribute an AppLife Update, distribute Msi upgrades, or distribute your own update - With AppLife Update, you can implement automatic updates in your software based on an AppLife Update action list, a Windows Installer Msi or Msp file, or you can distribute your own custom updater
• Elevated privileges - Allow standard users to apply updates to your product without administrative support using the AppLife Update windows service
• Easily integrate licensing controls - You can check licensing status or perform any other validation before allowing a client to download and apply an update. Perform this validation for individual updates. Implement fine control over update distribution, allowing some clients to update and denying others based on your specific business needs
• Synchronize assembly version and update version - AppLife Update supports using the .Net assembly version of the host application to identify the current software version. Alternatively, allow wildcard assembly versioning and identify your software version directly through AppLife Update
• Limited availability updates - Publish updates for a limited user group then switch on the fly to normal availability
• Asynchronous update methods - Customize the update process within your application by using synchronous and asynchronous methods to check for and download updates. The threading model used with these methods marshal events back to the calling thread, making it extremely easy for you to create very custom update processes

AppLife Update Feature Matrix