Update continuously offered at Windows start despite being at latest version

[ComotoJC]

Steps To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce? Uh. i guess...

1. Start with 1.31 version
2. Restart windows and wait to be prompted for update
3. Respond yes to update installation and restart BW
4. Restart windows and wait to be prompted yet again to install update
5. Manually check version to see it has not worked
6. Manually install latest version 1.32
7. Start BW and manually check for update and see that "no update available"
8. Restart windows and wait to be prompted yet again to install update despite being on latest version

Expected Result

This format for BR is kind of ridiculous for this type of thing which could be explained better in just one box but OK...

1. Ensure that windows-start update prompt actually installs update if one is available. and
2. Don't prompt for an update if program is already at latest version

Actual Result

On windows startup for some time now, BW always offered to install an update and requests a restart.
Not only was the windows-start update not working, but now, seems that the version check is returning erroneous status.

At first it turned out the update process - despite responding properly to all prompts for admin access etc. - was not actually installing the latest update (to 1.32 when I checked) manually downloaded and installed update. Extremely high number of times I authorized install of the update but it did not install.

Then after doing manual 1.32 install, on Windows reboot BW still requests to install and restart every time despite being on latest version. Manually checking for updates returns - as it should - 'no update available'. Yet on next Windows restart i will get prompted again to install an update and restart BW.

Screenshots or Videos

No response

Additional Context

Version 1.32.0 Shell 16.0.7 Renderer 96.0.4664.110 Node 16.9.1 Architecture x64

Operating System

Windows

Operating System Version

10 Pro x64

Installation method

Direct Download (from bitwarden.com)

Build Version

See text of bug report

[chetweewax]

subbed, I am having the same issue

[NeffCodes]

Same

[Burgaman]

same

[kkrza8]

I was able to get around the issue by right clicking Bitwarden in the taskbar and selecting Exit. A window popped up requesting administrative privileges to close the program - don't remember the exact wording. It was windows generic "the app is requesting admin privileges". I restarted the program an it stated it was now version 1.32.1.

I would also note that during this issue, when I would go to the Help menu and Check for Updates nothing would happen.

[jrschueller]

I was able to get around the issue by right clicking Bitwarden in the taskbar and selecting Exit. A window popped up requesting administrative privileges to close the program - don't remember the exact wording. It was windows generic "the app is requesting admin privileges". I restarted the program an it stated it was now version 1.32.1.

I would also note that during this issue, when I would go to the Help menu and Check for Updates nothing would happen.

My experience is the exact same.

[EchoDev]

+1

Can confirm the same issue.

[RRZZ7]

Same problem....PLEASE solve it

[djprmf]

Also having this issue requesting to update to 1.31 and now again to 1.31.1.

[Hinton]

Hi all,

I'm currently looking into this issue but are having difficulties replicating it. I did notice that the updater now gives an option for computer wide and user only which could means that you it's possible to have two installs of Bitwarden, a computer-wide and a user-only instance.

Could someone that is experiencing this issue be willing to check if this is the case?

The two install paths should be

C:\Program Files\Bitwarden

%LocalAppData%\Programs\Bitwarden

Right clicking on Bitwarden.exe and selecting Properties, and navigating to Details should specify which version it is.

If both paths are installed and have different versions, the installer would be triggered when starting the "old" bitwarden application.

[kkrza8]

I only have the one c:\Program Files\Bitwarden path accessible. I am running Windows 11 Pro on a Lenovo Legion laptop.

[Hinton]

@kkrza8 Just to verify, you are still getting the prompts?

[kkrza8]

On Thu, Mar 24, 2022 at 10:30 AM Oscar Hinton @.***> wrote:

@kkrza8 https://github.com/kkrza8 Just to verify, you are still getting the prompts?

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <bitwarden/clients#2571>, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AYL5MABGH4ZAVE6KU7IFWXDVBR4ABANCNFSM5RFULANA . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

No. My issue went away once I performed the steps in my original post.

[Hinton]

A quick update, I've identified an issue where the setup wizard sometimes didn't appear and the upgrade failed. The desktop application would therefore still be on the old version, and prompt for an upgrade again, and repeat. As some people have mentioned, closing the application (by right clicking in the task bar) will also trigger the update flow which seems to behave better.

Another alternative is to download the installer from the website and manually reinstall with the newer version. We will continue to investigate this behavior and hoping to have this resolved by the next release.

Do note however that I haven't been able to replicate the behavior where it still prompts you even on the latest version. If someone is encountering that issue reliably I would appreciate if you could perform the steps described in bitwarden/clients#2571 and let me know the details.

[Modged]

Hi I have the issue too, you were right about the differents versions installed... I don't know why or how it happened because.. I am the only user on my computer and never asked for a computer wide installation. So I have two bitwarden how can I solve this issue which is really annoying I have tried to uninstall and reinstall and it didnt fix the issue The x:\programfile version :

An the appdata version :

Thanks a lot for the work you did and are doing :)

[Hinton]

Hi @Modged,

Could you try uninstalling it from both directories by running the Uninstall Bitwarden.exe? I believe just uninstalling it from Settings, would just uninstall a single instance of the app. And then re-install it using the latest installer.

[assasinxtg]

I found this folder when I try to fix this issue. Is it safe to delete this?

\AppData\Local\bitwarden-updater

It shows there is a pending update file there and .7z package.

EDIT: It works. Just delete the folder 'pending' in \AppData\Local\bitwarden-updater\pending

[rob2009]

I was having the "install loop" problem as described but tried uninstall>restartPC>reinstall That issue is now gone and the app now APPEARS to open, the icon is on the taskbar but when I click the bitwarden screen doesn't appear. When I Alt-Tab through running apps it's there but if I stop on the bitwarden mini-image it has no effect.
I'm currently using https://vault.bitwarden.com/#/vault through Chrome so I can at least access my login credentials but this issue erodes my trust in bitwarden, can I rely on browser access or might that screw up too?

v1.31.1.0 Win10 21H1 build 19043.1586

[Modged]

Hi @Modged,

Could you try uninstalling it from both directories by running the Uninstall Bitwarden.exe? I believe just uninstalling it from Settings, would just uninstall a single instance of the app. And then re-install it using the latest installer.

Hi again :) It worked running uninstall from the folder. Thanks you

I was having the "install loop" problem as described but tried uninstall>restartPC>reinstall That issue is now gone and the app now APPEARS to open, the icon is on the taskbar but when I click the bitwarden screen doesn't appear. When I Alt-Tab through running apps it's there but if I stop on the bitwarden mini-image it has no effect. I'm currently using https://vault.bitwarden.com/#/vault through Chrome so I can at least access my login credentials but this issue erodes my trust in bitwarden, can I rely on browser access or might that screw up too?

v1.31.1.0 Win10 21H1 build 19043.1586

You should read the discussion more carefully there are two solutions none reported uninstall as a working solution. Check the two folders : C:\Program Files\Bitwarden %LocalAppData%\Programs\Bitwarden

I found this folder when I try to fix this issue. Is it safe to delete this?

\AppData\Local\bitwarden-updater

It shows there is a pending update file there and .7z package.

EDIT: It works. Just delete the folder 'pending' in \AppData\Local\bitwarden-updater\pending

I had too even after uninstall I cleared too thanks you :)

[Dracco61]

Was able to resolve this issue: I originally was always selecting to install update for ALL USERS on machine. When selecting this and clicking "OK" it first went through the install process, loading bars, etc. then closed and immediately prompted to install the update again.

Used Task Manager to kill all running instances including background. On next attempt I selected only MY USER. It requested admin access and installed the update successfully this time. Seems to be running OK now and is v. 1.32.1

EDIT: Also of note I don't have any other user profiles on my machine so perhaps it was hanging up when trying to find other users to update, somehow.

[skal-dB]

+1 Same issue here.

I tried uninstall/reinstall without any change.

[TEngelman]

Just added my 2 cents in https://community.bitwarden.com/t/windows-client-updates-repeat-over-and-over-again/39329/16

Theo

[Hinton]

Wanted to give a quick update on this. As previously mentioned we identified some issues with the updating process which should be resolved for the next release.

In the meanwhile the recommended workaround is to:

1. Uninstall the desktop application.
2. Restart the computer
3. Re-install the latest version from the website.

Should Bitwarden auto start after restarting the computer you most likely have multiple versions of Bitwarden installed, and need to uninstall all of them.

The default installation locations are:

• C:\Program Files\Bitwarden
• %LocalAppData%\Programs\Bitwarden

And they should contain an Uninstaller which you can run.

[totallygeekdom]

I am currently having this issue.

[Hinton]

@totallygeekdom please follow the steps in the comment above. This release should have fixed the flow for future updates. Unfortunately current installs on previous versions might still encounter the issue as it uses the old code.

[Dwuuds]

Been happening for months now. I’m guessing that the solution is to just never use the version from MS store?

[Hinton]

@Dwuuds Is the MS store build prompting you to upgrade? The built in update process is supposed to be disabled on the store builds.

[ts1985]

Wanted to give a quick update on this. As previously mentioned we identified some issues with the updating process which should be resolved for the next release.

In the meanwhile the recommended workaround is to:

1. Uninstall the desktop application.
2. Restart the computer
3. Re-install the latest version from the website.

Should Bitwarden auto start after restarting the computer you most likely have multiple versions of Bitwarden installed, and need to uninstall all of them.

The default installation locations are:

• C:\Program Files\Bitwarden
• %LocalAppData%\Programs\Bitwarden

And they should contain an Uninstaller which you can run.

This doesn't really help. Here the solution:

• Follow the steps from Hinton
• Before the restart, delete also: %LocalAppData%\bitwarden-updater
• Then restart and follow the other steps.

That should work.

[BobbyWibowo]

For whatever reason, desktop client's auto-update for version 2022.5.0 simply uninstalled my existing Bitwarden installation, and did NOT continue to upgrade, lmao

---

No user data loss by simply downloading the latest installer to manually install the client, but was still an odd experience

[kkrza8]

I experienced the exact issue as Bobby above.

[Hinton]

For those that are still encountering this issue please perform the following steps:

1. Uninstall Bitwarden
2. Verify there is no Bitwarden instance installed in either
   • C:\Program Files\Bitwarden
   • %LocalAppData%\Programs\Bitwarden
3. If any of the above paths exists please run the Uninstall Bitwarden.exe from that directory.
4. Restart your computer (important!)
5. Install the latest version of Bitwarden.

If the issue still persists after following these steps please let me know. Please include the last couple of lines from app.log in %LocalAppData%\bitwarden. Everything after the last Checking for update, including any log for the update process.