# Keep PlexiDesk up to date > Install new versions of PlexiDesk from the footer, check for one by hand from the Help menu and see what changed in each release. Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/app-updates Section: Get started > Install and update Plans: All plans Updated: 2026-10-10 PlexiDesk looks for new versions by itself while it is open, and tells you in the footer, the thin bar along the bottom of the window, when one is available. Installing it takes a click, and your desks, documents and settings stay exactly as they are. ## How PlexiDesk checks for updates - PlexiDesk checks 30 seconds after you open it, then every five minutes while it stays open. - When a new version is found, a button or label appears at the left of the footer, next to your version number. - On a Mac, you choose when to download and install it. On Windows, the update downloads by itself and you choose when to install it. Updates work the same on every plan. ## Update on a Mac 1. When the footer shows **Update to** followed by the new version number, click it. 2. The footer shows **Downloading** with the progress as a percentage. 3. When the download is complete, the footer shows **Installing** and the version number. PlexiDesk closes, replaces itself with the new version and opens again. 4. If macOS asks for an administrator's name and password, enter them so PlexiDesk can replace the older version in your Applications folder. > **Note:** > PlexiDesk updates itself in place when it is in your Applications folder. If you opened it from the disk image or another read-only location, it cannot replace itself, so it opens the download page instead. The footer may show **Update failed** with a message asking you to move PlexiDesk into your Applications folder and update again. See [Install PlexiDesk on a Mac](https://plexiidesk.com/help/install-mac). ## Update on Windows 1. When a new version is found, the footer shows **Update available** and the version number, then **Downloading** with the progress as a percentage. You can keep working while it downloads. 2. When it is ready, the footer shows **Install** and the version number. Click it. 3. PlexiDesk closes, installs the update and opens again on the new version. If you would rather not stop now, carry on working. A downloaded update also installs when you quit PlexiDesk, so the next time you open it you are on the new version. ## Check for an update now You do not have to wait for the next automatic check. Either: - click the version number at the left of the footer, or - choose **Help > Check for Updates...** in the menu bar. On Windows, press `Alt` to show the menu bar first. The footer shows **Checking…** for a moment. If an update is available, it appears as described above. If nothing appears, you already have the newest version. ## See what is new - **After an update.** The first time PlexiDesk opens on a new version, a **What's new** card summarises what changed, marked **Updated** with the version number. Some releases include **Learn more** links to help articles. Choose **Got it** to close it. The card appears once for each version, and not at all on a brand-new install. - **Any time.** Click **What's new** at the right of the footer to see every release, newest first, in **What's new in PlexiDesk**. A dot on the button means there are changes you have not looked at yet; opening the list clears it. - **On the web.** Releases are also listed on the [What's new](https://plexiidesk.com/changelog) page of this site. ## If an update does not finish If an update cannot finish, the footer shows **Update failed** with the reason, and two links: - **retry** checks for the update again. Try this first, for example after your internet connection comes back. - **download manually** opens the PlexiDesk [Download page](https://plexiidesk.com/download) in your browser, so you can install the newest version yourself. On a Mac, if PlexiDesk cannot replace itself, it reopens on the version you already had and opens the download page for you. To install the newest version by hand: - **On a Mac:** download the disk image, quit PlexiDesk, then drag the new PlexiDesk into your Applications folder and choose to replace the older copy. See [Install PlexiDesk on a Mac](https://plexiidesk.com/help/install-mac). - **On Windows:** download the installer and run it. See [Install PlexiDesk on Windows](https://plexiidesk.com/help/install-windows). Installing by hand keeps your workspace, just like an automatic update. ## Common questions ### Which version do I have? The left end of the footer shows your version number and its date, for example v4.3.25. Hover over it to see the full version and build date. ### Will updating change my work? No. An update replaces the app, not your workspace. Your desks, documents and settings are still there when PlexiDesk reopens. ### I clicked the version number and nothing changed That means you already have the newest version. PlexiDesk shows **Checking…** for a moment and then nothing more when there is no update. ### Where can I get help with something else? Choose **Help > Help & Support** in the menu bar, or **Help & support** in the footer, to open this help centre. See [Get help](https://plexiidesk.com/help). ## Related tasks - [Install PlexiDesk on a Mac](https://plexiidesk.com/help/install-mac) - [Install PlexiDesk on Windows](https://plexiidesk.com/help/install-windows) - [The footer](https://plexiidesk.com/help/app-footer)