Blog
How desktop software gets installed, updated and rolled back, written for people who ship it.
Installers
How to create a Windows installer for your app
How to create a Windows installer for your app: what setup.exe must do, the usual tools, why you also need updates, and a route with no installer scripting.
October 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Auto-updates
How to auto-update a desktop app
How to auto update a desktop app safely: version check, signed manifest, changed-file downloads, atomic apply with rollback, restart and check intervals.
October 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Auto-updates
Desktop app update strategies compared
Desktop app update strategies compared: app stores, platform installers, framework updaters, DIY and hosted services, by hosting, signing and rollback.
October 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Release management
How to roll back a bad desktop app release
How to roll back a bad desktop app release: design for it, spot a bad build, point the channel at the last good one, and know what installed copies do next.
October 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Release management
How to run a beta channel for your desktop app
How to set up a beta channel for a desktop app: who should be on it, public vs private access, promoting a tested build to production, and pitfalls.
October 19, 2026 · 9 min read
Security
How to sign desktop app updates so installs can trust them
How to sign desktop app updates: the threat model, what a signature proves, Ed25519 signed manifests with per-file SHA-256, key storage and rotation.
October 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Release management
How to release a desktop app with GitHub Actions
How to release a desktop app with GitHub Actions: build on a Windows runner, version from git tags, map branches to channels and keep secrets safe from forks.
October 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Security
Windows SmartScreen and the "Unknown publisher" warning
Why Windows SmartScreen shows "Unknown publisher" for your installer, what users see, and your options: code signing, reputation and what to tell users.
October 19, 2026 · 7 min read