Updating

Updating

Orbit can keep itself up to date from the GitHub releases.

Automatic updates

Settings → Keep Orbit up to date automatically is on by default.

1. A few seconds after Orbit starts (at most once every 3 hours) it asks GitHub for the newest release.
2. If that release is newer than the version you're running, Orbit downloads Orbit-win-x64.zip in the background. A bar under the toolbar shows the progress.
3. Orbit checks the download against the SHA-256 checksum GitHub publishes for that file. If it doesn't match, the download is thrown away and nothing is installed.
4. When it's ready the bar says Restart to update. Click it to update right away, or click Later.
5. If you don't restart, the update is installed automatically the next time you open Orbit: it takes a few seconds and Orbit then opens as normal.

Your bookmarks, history and settings aren't touched. Only the program files are replaced, and any other files you keep in the Orbit folder are left alone.

Check by hand

Settings → Check for updates looks right now, even if automatic updates are off, and shows the result under the button. If the update can't be installed automatically, the bar offers a download instead.

Turn it off

Untick Keep Orbit up to date automatically. Orbit then never contacts GitHub on its own; it only checks when you press Check for updates.

What Orbit sends

A plain HTTPS request to api.github.com (to read the latest release) and, if there is an update, to the GitHub download address. The request carries Orbit's name and version, like every browser's User-Agent. Nothing about you or your browsing is sent.

When it can't update itself

• Orbit is in a protected folder such as C:\Program Files: Windows doesn't let it overwrite its own files. The bar then shows Download, which opens the release page so you can unzip the new version yourself. Putting Orbit in a normal folder (like C:\Apps\Orbit or your user folder) lets it update itself.
• No connection to GitHub: Orbit shows "couldn't reach GitHub" in Settings and tries again next time.
• The release has no checksum: Orbit refuses to install it.

Manual update

Download the newest zip from the Releases page and extract it over your Orbit folder.