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Update modes

Grunt supports both automatic and manual updates. Which mode applies depends on how Grunt was installed and whether your organization has disabled auto-updates. For per-user Windows installs, Grunt reads the update mode from the current user’s registry settings: 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Grunt
    updateStrategy = <DWORD>
Use these values:
ValueModeBehavior
0DisabledGrunt does not prompt the user or install updates automatically.
1AutomaticGrunt checks for updates and installs them automatically. This is the default when the value is missing.
2ManualGrunt checks for updates and notifies the user. The user or IT installs the update manually.

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Disable auto-updates for a per-user install

To stop automatic updates for a per-user install, set updateStrategy to 2 for the signed-in Windows user: 
reg add HKCU\Software\Grunt /v updateStrategy /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
Then restart PowerPoint. This keeps update discovery and user notification available, but prevents Grunt from automatically downloading and installing the update. Use this mode when IT wants users on the per-user install but still wants to control the final rollout. Run this command in the affected user’s Windows context. If you deploy it with Intune, Group Policy, or a login script, make sure it writes to that user’s HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive.
Use 2 for manual updates in most managed per-user environments. Use 0 only when you want Grunt to keep update availability silent and never start installation.
To restore automatic updates, set the value back to 1 or remove the updateStrategy value: 
reg add HKCU\Software\Grunt /v updateStrategy /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

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Disable update checks with Configuration.xml

You can also turn off version checks with a local XML configuration file. This is different from updateStrategy. When the CheckVersion flag is false, Grunt treats the installed version as up to date. It does not receive update availability information, so it does not notify the user or start an automatic update. Create or update Configuration.xml with: 
<Configuration>
  <CheckVersion>false</CheckVersion>
</Configuration>
Grunt reads Configuration.xml from these locations:
PriorityLocation
1%APPDATA%\Grunt\Configuration.xml
2%LOCALAPPDATA%\Grunt\Configuration.xml
3<install directory>\Configuration.xml
The XML file can include only the flags you want to override. Use these XML flags when you need a local override:
FlagDefaultPurpose
CheckVersiontrueSet to false to suppress version checks and update availability.
LogErrorsToWebtrueSet to false to stop sending error logs to the Grunt web service.
MetricsTrackingfalseSet to true only if your organization wants to enable metrics tracking locally.
Cloud-managed values for the same flags take precedence over local XML. Restart PowerPoint after changing the file.
Use CheckVersion=false when you want to suppress update checks entirely. Use updateStrategy=2 when you still want Grunt to detect updates and notify the user, but not install automatically.

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How to tell which mode a device uses

Check the install location:
  • C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Programs\Grunt\ usually means a per-user install with auto-updates on by default.
  • C:\Program Files\Grunt usually means a per-machine install with auto-updates off and IT controlling updates.
  1. Define your approved release channel and rollout window.
  2. Validate new versions on a pilot group.
  3. Roll out broadly after pilot sign-off.
  4. Keep users on a consistent version where possible.

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Manual update workflow

For controlled environments:
  1. Download the approved MSI from app.grunt.pro/download.
  2. Distribute it through your software deployment tooling or approved manual process.
  3. If Grunt is installed under Program Files, run the update with admin rights.

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Release channels

Users can choose a release channel only when your organization allows user-managed channel selection. In that mode, Grunt shows these options:
  • Stable for broadly tested releases
  • Early for earlier access to newer changes
For IT-led rollouts, keep users on the approved channel and distribute approved installers through your deployment tooling. Grunt typically aims for about four stable releases per year, with occasional hotfixes when needed.
Keep all users in the same organization on the same version or release channel when possible. Mixed versions increase the risk of versioning conflicts.

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Rollback policy

Our preferred response to issues after an update is a quick hotfix rolling forward, not rolling back to a previous version. This protects compatibility with files and presentations users have already touched on the newer version.
  • Minor version updates: Rollback is possible.
  • Major version updates: Staying on the Stable channel and waiting for a hotfix is preferable to rolling back.
Larger organizations should stay on the Stable channel and use a managed rollout so new functionality has been validated before it reaches all users.

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User communication

When major changes are released:
  • Notify users before rollout
  • Provide quick guidance for visible UI changes
  • Include escalation path for blocked updates
Use Deployment and installation to align install method and update behavior.