Check for Updates

ProductManager can automatically check for new versions and notify you when updates are available.

Automatic Update Checking

By default, ProductManager checks for updates when the application starts. If a new version is available, you'll see a notification dialog with details about the update.

What Happens on Startup

Application loads normally
After startup completes, update check runs in the background
If a new version is found, the Update Available dialog appears
You can download immediately or dismiss and update later

Manual Update Check

Check for updates at any time:

Go to Help > Check for Updates
ProductManager checks the update server
If an update is available, the Update Available dialog appears
If you're on the latest version, a confirmation message appears

Update Available Dialog

When an update is found, the dialog shows:

Information	Description
Current Version	Your installed version
New Version	The available update version
Release Date	When the update was published
Release Notes	What's new in this version
Critical Update	Warning if this is a critical security or stability fix

Actions

Download - Opens the download location (installer file or web page)
Remind Me Later - Dismisses the dialog; you'll be notified again next startup
Skip This Version - Won't notify about this specific version again

Configuring Update Checks

Disable Automatic Checks

If you prefer to check manually:

Go to Tools > Settings
In the General tab (or check app settings)
Uncheck Check for updates on startup
Click Save

Update Check Location

By default, ProductManager checks for updates at a configured network path. This is typically set by your administrator for enterprise deployments.

Default path: x:\HFProductManager\update.json

The update.json file contains:

{
  "version": "0.4.9",
  "releaseDate": "2025-12-25",
  "downloadUrl": "x:\\HFProductManager\\ProductManagerSetup-0.4.9.exe",
  "releaseNotes": "Bug fixes and performance improvements",
  "isCritical": false
}

Installing Updates

Click Download in the Update Available dialog
If the download is a local file, Windows Explorer opens to that location
If the download is a URL, your browser opens
Close ProductManager
Run the installer
The installer updates ProductManager in place (settings are preserved)
Launch ProductManager

Best Practices

Keep updated - New versions include bug fixes, security patches, and new features
Read release notes - Understand what's changed before updating
Critical updates - Install critical updates promptly as they often address important issues
Backup settings - While updates preserve settings, backing up %AppData%\HFProductManager\settings.json before major updates is prudent

Troubleshooting

"Could not check for updates"

Possible causes:

Network path not accessible
Update server unavailable
Firewall blocking access

Solutions:

Check network connectivity
Verify you can access the update path
Try again later
Use manual download from your software provider

"Update check path not found"

The configured update path doesn't exist or isn't accessible.