Articulate 360: Automatic Updates

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Let updates for the Articulate 360 desktop app install automatically so you always have the latest enhancements. This article explains how to enable automatic updates and answers frequently asked questions.

Enable Automatic Updates

As of February 2021, automatic updates are enabled by default for all new and existing installations of the Articulate 360 desktop app (exceptions below). If you're using an earlier build, here's how to enable automatic updates:

  1. Install the latest Articulate 360 update (May 2020 or later), then open the Articulate 360 desktop app.
  2. Click the drop-down menu in the upper right corner and choose Preferences.
  3. Mark the box to Install updates automatically for the Articulate 360 desktop app.
  4. Click Save, then click the X in the upper right corner to minimize the app to your system tray.

FAQs

Are automatic updates enabled by default?

As of February 2021, automatic updates are enabled by default for all new and existing installations of the Articulate 360 desktop app, except:

  • If you purposefully disabled automatic updates in your preferences, we'll respect your choice and won't enable automatic updates for you.
  • If your organization used enterprise deployment to disable automatic updates for everyone via the registry, we won't enable automatic updates for your team.

Can I disable automatic updates?

Yes. Here's how:

  1. Open the Articulate 360 desktop app, click the drop-down menu in the upper right corner, and choose Preferences.
  2. Uncheck the box to Install updates automatically for the Articulate 360 desktop app.
  3. Click Save, then click the X in the upper right corner to minimize the app to your system tray.

Enterprise customers can disable automatic updates for their team by setting the following registry key to True. See the enterprise deployment guide for details.

HKLM\Software\Articulate\Common\Settings\DisableAutomaticUpdates

Why is the option to install automatic updates missing?

There are two reasons you might not see the option to install automatic updates in your Articulate 360 preferences:

  • Your Articulate 360 desktop app is out of date. Install the latest update, then enable automatic updates in your preferences.
  • Your organization has disabled Articulate 360 updates. Check with your network admin to see if they'll allow automatic updates.

Which apps get updated automatically?

Only the Articulate 360 desktop app gets updated automatically.

You choose when to install updates for Storyline 360, Studio 360, Replay 360, and Peek 360.

What happens when automatic updates are enabled?

The Articulate 360 desktop app periodically checks if it's on the latest version. If it's up to date, nothing happens. If it's out of date, the latest update downloads behind the scenes. We generally release one update per month.

A new update might not install right away after it's downloaded. If you're using Storyline 360, Studio 360, or Replay 360, the update waits to install until you're finished. When the authoring apps are closed and the Articulate 360 desktop app is minimized, the update quickly and quietly installs in the background.

Do I have to be signed in to get the latest updates?

No. Updates will automatically install even if you're signed out of the Articulate 360 desktop app as long as the app is minimized to your system tray.

Will I get notified when automatic updates are installed?

You won't see notifications about automatic updates for the Articulate 360 desktop app. They install quietly in the background.

However, you'll still see notifications when updates are available for Storyline 360, Studio 360, Replay 360, and Peek 360 unless you've disabled notifications.

Can I snooze updates?

Yes, you can snooze update notifications for all the apps when you disable automatic updates in your Articulate 360 preferences.

Do automatic updates slow down system performance?

No, the impact on your system is minimal. You probably won't notice when automatic updates get installed. Here's how they work.

The Articulate 360 desktop app periodically checks if it's on the latest version. If it's up to date, nothing happens. If it's out of date, the latest update downloads behind the scenes. We generally release one update per month.

A new update might not install right away after it's downloaded. If you're using Storyline 360, Studio 360, or Replay 360, the update waits to install until you're finished. When the authoring apps are closed and the Articulate 360 desktop app is minimized, the update quickly and quietly installs in the background.

Can I manually check for and install updates?

Yes. Automatic updates install quietly in the background when the Articulate 360 desktop app is minimized and the authoring apps are closed. And you can manually check for updates at any time.

Can I install older versions of authoring apps when automatic updates are enabled?

Yes. Automatic updates only apply to the Articulate 360 desktop app, whereas the option to install older versions only applies to the authoring apps (Storyline 360, Studio 360, Replay 360, and Peek 360). So you can use both features at the same time.