QUESTION
I want to switch from one minor/service release to another, for instance, from Capture One 22 (15.1.1) to Capture One 22(15.1.2). How to update Capture One?
ANSWER
Note: Please remember to back up your custom settings (presets, workspaces, styles etc) before uninstalling Capture One. See more here: How do I back up my Styles & Presets in case I need to update my OS/move to another computer?
Note that the updates (minor and service releases) are free for all subscribers and owners of the perpetual license for the corresponding major release. For instance, the owners of Capture One 22 licenses can update to Capture One 22 (15.1.2).
Mac
1. In the main menu, select Capture One -> Check for Updates.
In case there are any updates available, a notification window will appear. Click OK.
Alternatively, select Capture One -> Preferences from the main menu right away. In the Update tab of the Preferences window, click on the new release version to download it.
2. You will be redirected to the Capture One website. Enter your e-mail address and password to enter your profile on captureone.com
3. Click Download and select the location to store the file on your computer.
4. Close Capture One if it keeps running. Drag the Capture One application (the current version installed but not recently downloaded) from your Applications folder to the trash.
5. Then go to the folder with the latest version of Capture One downloaded.
6. Open the Capture One disk icon (.dmg). Double click the .dmg file to mount the Capture One application bundle. This may take up to 15-30 seconds, depending on your machine. You may also see a dialog box asking for an action confirmation.
7. Carefully read and accept the license agreement presented.
8. Drag the Capture One icon to the Applications folder.
9. Open Capture One from your Applications folder.
Windows
1. Go to the main menu and select Edit -> Preferences.
2. In the Update tab of the Preferences window, click Check For Updates. If there are any new minor/service release version is available, it will be listed under the Download section. Click on it.
3. You will be redirected to the Capture One website. Enter your e-mail address and password to enter your profile on captureone.com
4. Click Download and select the location to store the file on your computer.
5. Verify that the application is not running. Press Control+Alt+Delete keys simultaneously and choose Task Manager. In the Processes tab, end the Capture One process and make sure that the application is not running. If it is still running, then highlight CaptureOne.exe and click End Process.
6. Run the uninstaller. Open Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features. Choose Capture One by right-clicking on it and press Uninstall.
7. Then go to the folder where the latest Capture One version was saved upon the download has been completed. Run the executable software install file (.exe).
8. When asked "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?", click Yes.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
10. Launch Capture One.
Comments
48 comments
After coming to Cap One from the migration ecosystem, this is a laborious process.
Deactivate, uninstall, reactivate... can do on holidays.. must change this method to auto update for bonafide subscribers at the least. Also this line "Deactivate software by going to the main menu and selecting Edit -> License... -> Deactivate."-- is a bug. My license details are found under the header 'HELP'
Thanks
Yep - equally perplexed why this is so complicated.
I'm a recent convert and very pleased with the results on Fuji Raw files but this is a bizarre set of hoops for a minor upgrade
Hi,
I'm new and really happy with CO. This is my first update. So, I have to agree, and I have to add my voice : this is a laborious process for an update (way to much).
Thanks.
Hi Lily and the Capture One team
I hope you would consider simplifying the update process. In its current state, it is complicated and not user-friendly. First, the download page does not provide release notes. Second, we are recommended to uninstall each time an update comes out. Third, after going through the setup wizard we are also prompted that we must restart our computers.
Many standalone apps (Google Chrome, VLC) and app launchers (Microsoft Store, Mac App Store, Steam, Adobe CC) on Windows, Mac, and Linux can self-update apps without requiring restarting. It makes updating more accessible and intuitive. It saves time (such as logging into our accounts and restarting our computers) and lots of clicks. I am not sure why we still need to go through so much trouble, and how this provides an exemplar user experience.
I cannot remember a software company advising me to go into the Task Manager and kill a process in order to install an update. This is stuff I do during development of software that should not be exposed to paying customers. Please have your app update itself as soon as possible, after all, C1 is not a cheap software.
It's been years and this hasn't been addressed yet? Insane. Not only is this needlessly laborious, but last update made me lose all my ui customization because it LITERALLY INSTALLED A FRESH COPY OF THE SOFTWARE ON MY MAC. I avoid every update now because of this.
Guys, brilliant software (with its load of bugs), but this is just plain awful. Adobe might have worse raw renderings and toolsets, but at least they're nailing the user experience.
CO’s update process is archaic and difficult to use. It’s almost to the point of your saying that subscription licenses can be updated is false advertising. When will the CO development team address this issue?
Hi Paul
Yes the answer outlines we should verify the software is not running, and it is recommended to uninstall the program before reinstalling the latest version.
Dear Lily,
I can't sign-in with my login email and password after installed the new upgrade. Please help.

Best regards
Albert
Sorry, but these days not having an adequate updateprocess is ridiculous ...
Hi Ravi,
Thanks for your comment and a note regarding the menu item.
I will also forward your suggestion regarding the update process to the development team.
Upgrade process is a little clunky for 2020. Would love to see this streamlined. Cheers
Hi Lilly
Probably buried in these replies somewhere, so I apologize in advance.
When Updating, we should always UNINSTALL first?
I'm having some issues where I when I tried to 'Edit In' Photoshop I can no longer get all selected images to open in PS (the edit all icon is selected)
Hoping by updating and re-installing this may sort it out.
Thanks again
Hi,
I have upgraded Capture one to latest version. and I lost my setups like my favorite tools.
And it seems to lost changes at session library.
What to do ?
Hi. I got a Capture One Pro 12 (full time licence) and I'd like to upgrade it to C1 Pro 22, without purchasing a complete brand new C1Pro 22 ... Is it possible? If yes how to prceed?
Till today I avoided updates, because I thought I must have done something wrong. This procedure does not make any sense, it is from stoneage of software dev. Can't believe that! But yes: Capture One, one of the most expensive tools in the market, got no one click updates. I told my son, working as a dev for a well known linux company. Now this is the running joke on his floor:))
I love Capture One and have been using it for many years - that said for an amazing piece of software not to have a built in updater its a bit surprising - the process isn't as bad as moving mountains but it is a but of a task that could be done by an internal updater - I would love to see that as part of the software would make life easier and our work as photographers more efficient
Hi Lily,
Disregard my previous email. I missed your first response about the styles.
Thank you for your assistance.
Rick
Hi
Using a Mac and thoroughly confused by all this. I'm amazed it is all so complicated for a simple upgrade to my perpetual Fuji Licence. I don't understand the deactivation sequence described above. Please explain. Which main menu?
Thanks
Hi Ali,
Thank you for the comment.
It does not do anything because there are no updates available at the moment. You currently run the latest version of Capture One which is 13.1.2. Once a new service release comes out, you will get an e-mail and also see news about that in our social media channels.
Hi, So ive been using C1 11 to tether a sony a7r3. Ive just upgraded to an A7R4 and I believe I have to get at least version 12 for the new camera to be compatible. Can I get version 12 or do I have to sell kidney to get version 20?
thanks
Hi Jan,
Capture One 20 (13.1.4) is out today (21.12.2020).
See the release notes.
It supports BigSur 11.1 and Windows 10 (build 20H2).
Hi Mateusz,
Thank you for the clarifications provided.
As Capture One 20 (13.1.0) is not a service release but a minor release with pretty many new features and improvements coming, the new settings and preferences come together with it.
All your setups and favorite tools will still be available in Capture One 20 (13.0.4) and earlier Capture One 20 service releases.
Hi Lily,
thanks for your useful answer. Regarding Licence.
My question is for this situation: .
Somebody has already bought a single perpetual license and don't want to use it more. Can I use (buy from him) this licence and change owner (name and email) of this licence to me (still only one person will use it) without any limitation, restriction, etc.?
the point is: I made upgrade manually.. it doesnt check itself.
Check for update button didnt work ands still means nothing.
As indicated there 'Last succesful check: Never'
Hi Martin,
As per the statement in the License Agreement (which is available inside Capture One software as well), the rights provided to the perpetual license owner are personal and non-transferable.
Hi Lily,
Now I have 13.1.3.9
Previous was 13.0.3 or 4 I don remember now.
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for the comment.
You are right, you can shoot tethered with Sony A7R4 and work with RAW files from this camera to Capture One starting from Capture One 12.1.2.
Thus, you will have to upgrade your current license.
Your perpetual license will be upgraded to the version Capture One 21. Please see the available options for an upgrade here. As perpetual licenses are backward compatible, you will be able to use this key for Capture One 21 (which will be released later) and also for Capture One 20,12, 11, etc.
@Capture One Support: is there a timeline or plans to simplify the software update process and bring it in line with the rest of the industry? I notice that some of the comments about this were made 6 months ago... so are there plans to change the update process... and, if so, when are we likely to see these implemented?
Apart from that... wonderful product!
thanks.
I am connected to the internet and have an active subscription. My Macbook pro and iMac both do not notice the minor upgrade.
My "last checked" says June 24, 2020 on both machines. My pro subscription was last updated on Jan 9 2020.
I click check for updates and it does not update that window or say anything. Did it from the CaptureOne 20 menu and from the preferences pane. No joy either time.
The only reason I noticed this was that my assistant pointed out I wasn't on the latest version.
So, I manually downloaded the update and installed it. Then I checked for updates to see if it would update the "last checked".
It did not.
what is going on?
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