How do I update the software to the latest release?

We regularly release software updates to introduce new features and address known or reported bugs. Users are strongly encouraged to install the latest build to make sure they are up to date with bug fixes and can enjoy new features.

Full information on the changes in each release can be found at the Software Release Announcements Blog.

To receive email notifications of updates and other information, subscribe to:

Considerations

    • If you are currently using any software released before 1 January 2012 and want to update to the most current version, please log a support ticket for more information. These versions will require specialist help to update.
    • You do not need to uninstall the old version before upgrading.
    • If done correctly, the upgrade process will preserve your current schedules and configuration. To ensure this, please read and follow each step of the upgrade process below carefully.
    • A restart of the server will be required after the update is completed.

Screenshots shown in this article are for PBRS, but the same process also applies to CRD, SQL-RD & MARS. The screens for these are largely identical.

Prior to Updating

Before updating, you will need to complete the following steps:

Download the most current build

  • In order to obtain the link to the most current build, go to Resources and select Check for Updates.
Check for Updates in PBRS

Stop the Scheduler

    • Click the blue System bar on the far right side of the screen.
    • Underneath the traffic light image, click the red Stop button
Stopping the Scheduler in PBRS

Perform a backup

  • Go to System and select Backup.
Backup in PBRS
  • Select the location you want to save the backup to.
  • Click OK.

Ensure all instances of the software are closed

  • Go to File and select Exit.
Exit Button in PBRS
  • Right-click on the Windows taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
  • Click Task Manager.
  • Click the Details tab

If the Details tab is not displayed, you may have to click More Details at the bottom of the task manager window.

  • Under the Name column, verify that no instances of [software name].exe appear.

e.g. crd.exe, pbrs.exe, mars.exe, sql-rd.exe

If they do, click on them and select End Task in the lower right of the Task Manager window.

Ending pbrs.exe in Task Manager

Preparing for the Update

These steps must be completed prior to running the new installer.

Once you have downloaded the latest build/version, perform the following steps:

Unblock the installer

  • Open the folder you downloaded the latest installer.

This is most likely located in your Downloads folder.

  • Highlight and then right-click the installation file.
  • Click Properties.

Installing PBRS in your server.

  • On the General tab, click Unblock in the lower right corner.

Installing PBRS in your server.

If Unblock is not present, the PBRS installer is already unblocked.

Installing PBRS in your server.

Some security features, such as Windows SmartScreen, can block certain files or flag them as potentially unwanted. If the PBRS installer is run without being unblocked, PBRS will not run properly.

  • Click Apply.
  • Click OK.

Beginning the Update

To update the latest build/version, perform the following steps:

    • Double-click PBRSSetupX1.
    • Click Unzip.

    Power BI and SSRS Reports: Installing PBRS

    • PBRS Installation Wizard will appear.

    PBRS Installation Wizard

    • Click Go next to Install PBRS and supporting services (including scheduler and API).
    • Click on the Yes on the Install Core PreRequisite? pop-up window.

    Installing PBRS in your server.

    • Click Next on the Welcome message.

    Welcome to the PBRS Setup Wizard.

    • Carefully read the License Agreement. 

    Once you have fully read and understood the License Agreement, check I accept the terms in the license agreement checkbox. Then, click Next.

    If you do not accept the terms of the license agreement, you will not be able to proceed with the installation.

    Welcome to the PBRS Setup Wizard: License Agreement

    • Now, you will see the Select Destination Folder screen.  You can choose to leave the default destination folder that is currently listed or select your own. Click Next.

    Leaving the default destination as the destination folder is recommended.

    Welcome to the PBRS Setup Wizard: Select Destination Folder

    • You should now see a Ready to Install window detailing the current settings for the PBRS installation. These details include the destination folder you chose in Step 10, as well as the Disk Space Requirements for the PBRS installation.
      • Click Next.

    Welcome to the PBRS Setup Wizard: Ready to Install

    The Disk Space Requirements will vary from build to build. This is only the amount of disk space that is required for the installation/components of PBRS.

    • Allow the PBRS installation to complete. You do not need to click anything during this process.

    Welcome to the PBRS Setup Wizard: Installing PBRS

    • When the Setup Wizard Complete screen appears, click Finish and it will start PBRS.

    Welcome to the PBRS Setup Wizard: Finish

    • At this time, you may see a pop-up stating that you will need to restart your computer in order to complete the PBRS installation. Click OK.

    Should you not receive this message (below) you will need to manually reboot the server at this time.

    System restart after installing PBRS

    • The Software is now successfully updated on this server.