How to set 4Matrix up as a shared application
If you want to run 4Matrix from a shared folder, we suggest using a LauncherSettings.xml file like the one below to customise how 4Matrix runs. This is because you will need to stop the auto-update process from occurring, which in turn will prevent the files from being 'in use' and corrupting the installation. The updates will need to be applied manually when 4Matrix is not being used. You can copy and paste the text below or download a version from our website;
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<LauncherSettings xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<DebugMode>false</DebugMode> <!-- Set this to true to show all event messages -->
<UpdateMode>1</UpdateMode> <!-- Set this to 1 to run updates as Admin, or 2, 3 or 4 to run as a Windows Service. More info at https://www.4matrix.com/help/update_help_new.pdf -->
<CheckForUpdates>true</CheckForUpdates> <!-- If true, will attempt to check for updates. If false, this step will be skipped -->
<DownloadUpdates>false</DownloadUpdates> <!-- If true, updates will be downloaded and installed. If false, only a message showing available updates will be displayed before continuing -->
<UnzipUpdatesToSubFolder>false</UnzipUpdatesToSubFolder> <!-- If true, updates will be unzipped to a subfolder called Updates. If false, updates will be installed as normal. This should only be used in conjuntion with CopyLocal-->
<OverrideTempFolder>false</OverrideTempFolder> <!-- If true, updates will be downloaded to the custom temp folder specified below (required). If false, updates will be downloaded to usual location-->
<CustomTempFolder /> <!-- Required if OverrideTempFolder is true e.g. <CustomTempFolder>C:\Program Files\4matrix\Temp</CustomTempFolder>-->
<CopyLocal>false</CopyLocal> <!-- If true, files will be copied and run from the location specified below. If false, files will run as normal. This is useful for running from a shared folder and caching files on local PCs-->
<CopyLocalPath /> <!-- Required if CopyLocal is true e.g. <CopyLocalPath>N:\4Matrix</CopyLocalPath>-->
<UseShellExecute>false</UseShellExecute> <!-- This parameter can be used to help resolve update problems. Possible values are true, false, Default-->
<UseVerbRunAs>true</UseVerbRunAs> <!-- This parameter can be used to help resolve update problems. Possible values are true, false, Default-->
<ApplyUseShellExecute>false</ApplyUseShellExecute> <!-- This parameter can be used to help resolve update problems. Possible values are true, false, Default-->
<ApplyUseVerbRunAs>false</ApplyUseVerbRunAs> <!-- This parameter can be used to help resolve update problems. Possible values are true, false, Default-->
</LauncherSettings>
You can download a customisable Launcher Settings file from the following links:
Update Mode 1: www.4matrix.com/files/downloads/ls1/LauncherSettings.xml
Update Mode 2: www.4matrix.com/files/downloads/LauncherSettings.xml (note: this must be used with an msi that is later than 3.9.5.0, available from www.4matrix.com/downloads)
Example Setup 1: The Cache Model
Install the 4Matrix application to a shared folder on your server e.g. P:\Apps\4matrix
Create the LauncherSettings.xml file (as above) in this folder
Set the CopyLocal to <CopyLocal>true</CopyLocal> and CopyLocalPath to a path users have full permission to e.g. <CopyLocalPath>N:\4matrix</CopyLocalPath>
Create a shortcut to P:\Apps\4matrix\Launcher.exe and share with staff e.g. place on their desktop
When this shortcut is run, the Launcher will create a cached copy of 4Matrix locally in the path specified. This eliminates issues with performance and files 'being in use' by other users
Example Setup 2: The Manual Update Model
Install the 4Matrix application to a shared folder on your server e.g. P:\Apps\4matrix
Create the LauncherSettings.xml file (as above) in this folder
Set CheckForUpdates to true, e.g. <CheckForUpdates>true</CheckForUpdates>
Set DownloadUpdates to false e.g. <DownloadUpdates>false</DownloadUpdates>
Create a shortcut to P:\Apps\4matrix\Launcher.exe and share with staff e.g. place on their desktop
When this shortcut is run, the software will check for updates but not download them. It will only warn that an update is available
To manually update the software the Network Administrator should:
Ensure that no-one is running 4Matrix from this location (we suggest unsharing the folder temporarily)
Set DownloadUpdates to true e.g. <DownloadUpdates>true</DownloadUpdates>
Run Launcher.exe to apply the updates
Set DownloadUpdates back to false e.g. <DownloadUpdates>false</DownloadUpdates>
re-share the folder (if required)