We are pleased to announce the release of the ownCloud Desktop Client version 2.7.1. It enables virtual files on Windows by default and brings support for OpenID Connect and the TUS resumable upload protocol, enabling it to connect to the upcoming ownCloud Infinite Scale, alongside a number of other changes and bugfixes. It is now ready to download or upgrade!
Why 2.7.1 instead of 2.7.0?
The new ownCloud Desktop Client release is called 2.7.1 because it includes a fix for an issue that became apparent in the testing of 2.7. User who tested 2.7 on their Macs should manually install 2.7.1 because the pre-release-builds lack auto-update capability.
Making authentication more modular
ownCloud Desktop 2.7.1 brings integration with OpenID Connect (OIDC). Released recently as an extension for the ownCloud server, OIDC enables authentication of users and authorization of clients against an external Identity Provider (IdP). This makes integrating ownCloud into existing, modular environments even more straightforward. It also makes the Desktop Client 2.7.1 compatible with our upcoming file platform ownCloud Infinite Scale that will exclusively use OpenID Connect.
Improving and simplifying uploads
ownCloud Desktop can portion uploads so as to make sure they reach the ownCloud server even if the connection is choppy or there are upload size limits involved. ownCloud Desktop 2.7.1 combined with the upcoming ownCloud Infinite Scale takes this approach to a new level through the implementation of the TUS protocol. It means you are no longer bound to preconfigured chunk sizes – the upload automatically resumes from wherever it previously broke off. This makes ownCloud even more reliable.
Virtual files now default on Windows
On Windows, the Virtual File System is now activated right out of the box. In short, it transfers the actual content of files to your hard drive only if and when they are being used. Until then, they remain visible without using up space – saving loads of storage and bandwidth in the process. Users can of course make certain files and folders permanently available locally. Since its announcement in 2018, the Virtual File System has become so stable and so useful that we have come to see it as a required feature for business-ready file sync and share solutions. Oh, and the Windows client is now finally available as a 64-bit version – with a GPO installer to streamline large-scale automated deployments.
Design improvements
With the new ownCloud Desktop Client 2.7.1, we introduce few design changes that will pop up all around ownCloud in the coming months. The design changes are strictly evolutionarily, carefully improving rather than ditching tried and true interfaces. The utility icons are now outlined in flat design. Elements like the clouds and sync statuses are recast for more consistency and discernability, while also improving usability through better contrast as well as simpler shapes in low-resolution environments. The client now also fully supports light and dark modes on all supported operating systems.
Enhanced debugging capabilities
The ownCloud Desktop Client 2.7.1 makes it easier for admins to analyze problems and identify failure causes. Users can now switch on logging conveniently in the new log submenu in settings. From there, the folder containing the log files is easily accessible. Users can also choose to additionally log HTTP requests and responses. With logging permanently enabled, the client deletes logs older than 4 hours by default, to make sure the logging does not unintentionally fill up your local drive.
Supported operating systems
On macOS, ownCloud Desktop 2.7.1 requires at least 10.12 Sierra. On Linux, ownCloud Desktop 2.7.1 requires at least Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver, Debian 10 Buster, openSUSE Leap 15.1, Fedora 31 or CentOS 7.8 (see the full requirements page).
Notable Bugfixes
We fixed a problem in which missing file permissions led to a few crashes. When both are open at the same time, a sharing dialog window is now always on top of a settings dialog. When using virtual files on a Mac, files made locally available aren’t cleaned out anymore on reboot.
New Linux repositories
With 2.7.1 we switch from distributor download infrastructure to our own.
Repos like the openSUSE repository at https://build.opensuse.org/package/show/isv:ownCloud:desktop/owncloud-client will not be updated any more, though it still contains version 2.6.3 of the ownCloud Desktop Client. That repository can be kept in the system, but eventually, it can be disabled or even deleted.
Ubuntu and Debian users should remove their /etc/apt/sources.list.d/isv:ownCloud:desktop.list
Users of CentOS, RedHat and Fedora should use dnf config-manager --set-disabled isv_ownCloud_desktop or remove their /etc/yum.repos.d/isv:ownCloud:desktop.repo
openSUSE users should use zypper modifyrepo --disable isv_ownCloud_desktop or remove their /etc/zypp/repos.d/isv_ownCloud_desktop.repo
To make 2.7.1 and the upcoming releases known to your Linux package manager, please
register to the new repository as described here.
Using .../stable/latest/... will enable your package manager to announce and install any new versions that ownCloud will publish. Instead of .../stable/latest/... there are a range of other options. You can check the directory listing of https://download.owncloud.com/desktop/ownCloud/stable/ to see what is available. E.g. there is .../stable/2.7/... which includes every update to 2.7.x up to, but not including 2.8.x.
Changelog
To learn about all bug fixes and changes, please read the full change log at owncloud.com/changelog/desktop
