What is a Task Manager update?
An update in Task Manager means downloading and installing a new version of the program from the settings, usually without FTP. The administrator does this in the Settings → Updates tab, at a time of their choosing. With a package that has an auto-installer, they start the installation with the Install button.
The app checks for new releases after login, periodically while the app is open, and when you return to the browser tab if some time has passed since the last check. Only administrators see the notification.
The list of newer releases requires a licence key assigned to the installation's domain, and you can only download a package with an active licence. Once the update entitlement stored in the key runs out, the new-version button shows a "Locked" state, with a tooltip explaining why.
How does installing a new version work?
When a new release is available, the administrator sees a red dot on the cog icon in the top menu and next to the Updates tab. They'll also see a one-time message: “Update available - version X.Y.Z is ready to install”. The Show button opens the tab. The message appears once for each version, and the dot disappears after the latest release is installed.
In the tab, the Check for updates button shows the version installed on the server, the code version in the app files, and newer releases with their changelogs. Versions must be installed in order: only the next button is active. Before downloading a package, the app asks you to confirm a warning about backing up the database and the uploads/ folder. The downloaded package is verified using a SHA-256 checksum.
Release packages have an auto-installer - the update server won't accept a package without one. After downloading the package, you click Install and see a progress bar: database migrations, file copying, finalisation. When updating from an older version, the bar may show progress in jumps. At the end, an Refresh app button appears. The installer skips includes/config.php, uploads/, storage/ and logs/. When the server doesn't let the program overwrite its own files, the installation stops with a message about write permissions. You then need to fix the permissions in the hosting panel or via FTP and retry the installation. The package is unpacked by PHP, so the server needs the zip extension. If the package doesn't have an auto-installer, the browser will save a .zip file to disk, and the program will show instructions for uploading via FTP along with a list of directories that must not be overwritten.
What do you gain?
You choose when to update. You can read the changelog first and decide when to come back to the installation.
You don't have to keep checking for new releases yourself. You get one notification per version, without it appearing again every time you log in. The rest of your team won't see the notification, so they can stay focused on their work while the administrator makes the decision.
You don't have to restore your configuration or attachments after an auto-install either. Before downloading the package, you'll see a warning about making a backup.
An everyday example
Imagine a small design studio: six people and no full-time IT specialist. The owner logs in on Monday and sees a red dot on the cog icon. They read the changelog, but put off the installation until Thursday evening. They have a client meeting in two hours.
On Thursday, she makes a backup of the database and the uploads/ folder. She confirms the warning and downloads the package. The program verifies its checksum and the publisher's signature. The owner starts the installation, watches the progress bar and refreshes the app. She doesn't use FTP for any of this.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need FTP access to install updates?
Usually not. You download and install the new version of Task Manager in the Updates tab with the Download and Install buttons. FTP or the hosting file manager comes in handy for the first installation of the program, and technical support when the server doesn't let the program overwrite its own files. If the downloaded package doesn't have an auto-installer, the app will show instructions for uploading via FTP.
Do I have to pay for updates?
The first 12 months of updates are included in the price of the licence. After that, the annual renewal of access to new versions is optional - the program keeps working without it. Excl. VAT amounts are listed in the pricing.
Will an update delete my data?
The installer skips includes/config.php and the uploads/, storage/ and logs/ directories. It runs database migrations automatically. Before downloading the package, the programme requires confirmation of the warning to back up the database and the uploads/ folder.
Can I skip several versions at once?
No. Versions must be installed in order. Only the next release button is active; subsequent releases are unlocked after the previous one has been uploaded.
What happens if the update server doesn't respond?
The Updates tab will show a connection error message. Task Manager keeps running on the installed version, because it checks the licence locally, without the update server. You can repeat the check later with the Check for updates button.