PackMan 1.9
PackMan 1.9 improves Windows update reliability and adds package details, persistent history, and selective cache cleanup. This release also includes the existing macOS app, rebuilt as version 1.9 for Apple silicon and Intel Macs. The new features below apply to Windows.
Windows
- Inspect full package IDs, repositories, versions, tool paths, warnings, and command output in Package details.
- Retry an installation or verify its installed state separately; use interactive installation for WinGet packages and open publisher/release links where available.
- Keep the latest 500 update attempts across restarts, with observed versions, mixed-run results, reboot requirements, and redacted diagnostic export.
- Choose caches individually and preview their scope, locations, and estimated space before cleanup. NuGet global-package removal and shared-cache estimates are explained explicitly.
- Handle Chocolatey success and reboot exit codes correctly, report malformed scan output visibly, and keep scan warnings separate from failed updates.
- Preserve WinGet repository identity, resolve truncated IDs when possible, and make unknown-version updates an explicit preference.
- Show ignored updates accurately, wait for cancellation when closing, and avoid an elevated self-update relaunch fallback.
- Fix release version metadata and self-updates for standalone or renamed Windows executables.
macOS
- Includes the existing macOS app rebuilt as version 1.9, with a universal binary for Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
- Available as a ZIP for in-app updates and a DMG for manual installation.
- The Windows features listed above are not included in the macOS app in this release.
Updating
Existing clients discover this release through their normal daily update check. To check immediately, use Help → Check for Updates on Windows or PackMan → Check for Updates… on macOS. Choose Install and Restart to confirm installation.
The Windows ZIP includes both PackMan.exe and an identical PackMan-Windows-x64.exe compatibility copy so v1.8.2 clients using either official filename can find their update. When downloading the ZIP manually, run either copy. Older clients with a user-renamed executable may need a manual update once. Windows v1.8.0/v1.8.1 had an updater replacement issue and may also need a manual download.
Downloads and requirements
| Platform | Downloads | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ZIP · Standalone EXE | Windows 10/11 x64 and .NET 10 Desktop Runtime |
| macOS | DMG · ZIP | macOS 14 or later; Apple silicon or Intel |
SHA-256 checksum files accompany every download. The macOS app is ad-hoc signed; first-time browser downloads may require System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway, as described in the installation instructions.
Release validation
- Windows: all 168 unit/integration tests and 7 UI tests passed against the release build.
- macOS: Swift tests and app/UI tests passed; universal binary architectures and app version were verified during packaging.
- All four published downloads were downloaded again and matched their accompanying SHA-256 checksums. Both Windows ZIP compatibility entries matched the standalone executable.