> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/changelog/2025/november-17-2025.md).

# November 17, 2025

Desktop Launcher improvements with GIF support, automatic updates, and more

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## 🎮 Desktop Launcher Updates

### 🔄 Automatic Update Detection

{% hint style="success" %}
**Smart Update Checking!** The launcher now automatically checks for updates when you need it.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://4290114470-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbxTY1v1lydkuTpyU2UyA%2Fuploads%2FqPVBm0Dr4eiEtKjs5w09%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=46a4cbc0-0d19-45ab-9a4e-39f256f4cef8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**What's New:**

* **Refresh Button Enhanced** - Now verifies for app updates when clicking refresh
* **Startup Check** - Automatically checks for updates when launcher starts
* **Update State Support** - Refresh button now works even when update is available
* **Better Performance** - Checks happen in the background without blocking UI

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### 📊 Improved Version Display

{% hint style="info" %}
**Always know what version you're running!**
{% endhint %}

**Version Information Improvements:**

* **Current Version Visible** - Shows your installed version when update is available
* **New Version Highlighted** - Update version displayed in status text
* **Checking State** - Version shown even during update check (for installed games)
* **Dual Display** - Status shows new version, region version shows current installed version

***

### 🎯 Enhanced User Experience

**Quality of Life Improvements:**

* **Sub-News Fixed** - Empty URLs no longer trigger error dialogs
* **Better Error Messages** - Missing executables now show complete filename with extension in quotes (e.g., `'MyGame.exe'`)
* **Cleaner UI** - More intuitive feedback during update checks

***

### 🎬 Animated GIF Support (Desktop Launcher)

{% hint style="success" %}
**NEW FEATURE:** Full support for animated GIFs in the desktop launcher news!
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://4290114470-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbxTY1v1lydkuTpyU2UyA%2Fuploads%2FrmDXl4YJc79NuADdaOhp%2FLauncher%20now%20support%20GIFs.gif?alt=media&amp;token=dafd5010-2ada-4739-9375-e0793c44d395" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**What's New:**

* **Animated GIFs** - Main News and Sub News in the desktop launcher now display animated GIFs with smooth playback
* **Smart Caching** - GIFs are cached locally for better performance
* **Automatic Detection** - Launcher automatically detects and animates .gif files
* **Fallback Support** - Static display if animation fails
* **Full Coverage** - Works in both vertical and horizontal news layouts

**Use Cases:**

* Showcase gameplay highlights
* Demonstrate new features
* Create eye-catching announcements
* Display animated teasers and previews

**Backend Integration:**

* **Format Preservation** - Backend now correctly saves images with their original format (.gif, .png, .jpg)
* **MIME Type Support** - Frontend sends file type information to ensure correct storage
* **Seamless Upload** - Upload GIFs just like any other image through the dashboard

***

### ⚡ Performance & Stability

{% hint style="success" %}
**Smoother Experience!** Hardware acceleration and privilege management improvements.
{% endhint %}

**Performance Enhancements:**

* **Hardware Acceleration** - Enabled GPU rendering for smoother UI and better visual quality
* **Optimized Rendering** - Bitmap scaling set to high-quality (Fant) mode
* **Caching Optimizations** - Smart cache invalidation for better performance

**Privilege Management Fixed:**

* **Admin Privileges** - Launcher updates now properly handle administrator elevation
* **Game Launch** - Apps requiring admin privileges launch correctly without errors
* **Auto-Installation** - Seamless app installation after UAC elevation approval
* **Self-Patcher** - Resolved issues with self-update process requiring elevated permissions

***