Squirrel/Squirrel.Windows
An installation and update framework for Windows desktop apps observed · 2026-08-28
Health v2 · maintenance only
23/100
- Activity 0
- Release rhythm 8
- Longevity 100
How is this computed?
round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10) — computed 2026-09-02. Adoption (stars, forks) is never an input.
- gap_med: n/a
- age_days: 4419
- days_rel: n/a
- days_push: 770
- n_releases_24m: 0
Adoption not part of the score
7981 stars · 1049 forks observed · 2026-08-28
What it is AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, 2026-08-29, confidence not recorded
Squirrel.Windows is an installation and auto-update framework for Windows desktop applications, usable from C# and other languages including native C++. It uses NuGet packages to build installers and supports background, delta updates without UAC prompts or reboots.
Use cases
- create an installer for my Windows desktop app
- add automatic background updates to a C# application
- distribute Windows app updates over simple HTTP with channels
- avoid UAC dialogs and reboots during installation
- generate delta update packages for a desktop app
- replace ClickOnce with a better installer framework
When to choose
- you ship a Windows desktop app and want Chrome-style silent install and updates
- you want NuGet-based packaging with delta updates and release channels
- you need a developer-friendly client API for in-app update management
When to avoid
- you target macOS or Linux instead of Windows
- you need MSI/enterprise Group Policy deployment
- you require heavy long-term maintenance support, as the project seeks new maintainers
Facets
framework · maturity maintenance
deployment developer-tools windows developer-tools desktop-applications windows dotnet installer auto-update clickonce-alternative nuget-packaging desktop-apps
1 source
- readme: https://github.com/Squirrel/Squirrel.Windows · fetched 2026-08-28 · 218236be9bda
Member repositories
| Repository | Role | Health v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrel/Squirrel.Windows | main | 23 |
For agents
markdown · JSON · MCP: product_card(name="Squirrel/Squirrel.Windows")
Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00 · Report a problem