Legacy Windows Problems

Here is why I've stopped making Legacy Windows versions (formerly called Windows versions) and the problems that can happen.

Exe files of the 14 total legacy versions

The actual amount of legacy versions I have stored on my computer.

It's not a good user experience

Imagine every Puppy Run update, you had to download an executable for an installer of it. You probably have to wait a day or two after it releases (sometimes even weeks!). Downloading and running a new executable every couple days brings up security concerns. Also these versions were formerly hosted on Mediafire, an ad supported site with malicious ads.

It's horrible on my end

Every Puppy Run update, I usually compiled the Windows version before it releases on Scratch. This takes some time because it includes a lot of steps. I first have to turn the scratch project into an .nw file. Then replace the old file with the new file. And finally, compile it with Inno Setup Compiler. Uploading to Mediafire is a real pain. I have my dad yelling at me when I go to Mediafire. Because of it's malicious ads. he gets spam notifications about a supposed "malware attack" which he for some reason trusts. I have to upload when he is gone or we are at a different house with different WiFi. This takes very long and I hate it.

Lots of code

Puppy Run V4.04 Legacy Windows Version in Inno Setup Compiler

Have a legacy version installed? Switch to the Windows Client with an updater program built in! Here's how.

Note: I'm using Microsoft Edge here so steps might be different for you.

  1. Uninstall the legacy version if you haven't already. If you don't have one, skip this step.

  2. Download the Windows Client installer from the download page.

  3. Click download anyway (Google can't scan big executables like this one)

  4. Wait for it to download the file.

  5. If it was blocked, click the three dots and hit keep. (It gets blocked because no one downloads Puppy Run Windows Client)

  6. If needed, click show more and keep anyway

  7. Open file explorer, find the file and run it.

  8. If you get a SmartScreen prompt, click More info and Run anyway. (Same reason as step 5)

  9. Choose your install mode (I would recommend for all users but you do what you want to do.)

  10. Install the program as you usually would install other programs.

  11. Search for Puppy Run in the Start Menu and find it. (The updater program is called "Puppy Run Updater")