Skip to content

Alchemy Public

Feature reference 4 min read View Markdown

Alchemy May 2026#

For the most recent component versions of Alchemy, see Alchemy Current Component Versions.

Applies to: Alchemy

Auto Packager#

The following table outlines each version of Auto Packager that has been released this month, alongside the release date.

Release Dates Current Version Number AAV Version Number
20th May 2026 V4.7.2605.60 V4.7.2602.26904

New features#

The following new features are included within this month's release of Auto Packager.

Support for .url internet shortcuts#

Auto Packager now captures .url internet shortcuts alongside .lnk shortcuts. Shortcuts that target http, https, ftp or file locations are recorded in the package's shortcut configuration, including the target URL and the icon location and index. Icon files referenced by a shortcut are redirected to the package's own program data folder so that the icon is still available when the package is deployed. A .url shortcut with an empty target is skipped, and an error is logged. .lnk and .url shortcuts can be captured within the same package.

Note

.url shortcuts are deployed by Package Runtimes 4.7.2603.4250, which is included in this release of Auto Packager.

Virtualisation of EnvironmentVariables.xml in Foundry mode#

When Auto Packager is used in Foundry mode, the environment variable definitions in the EnvironmentVariables.xml file within the application bundle are now virtualised in the package.

Other enhancements#

The following additional enhancement is included within this month's release of Auto Packager.

Updated component version#

The following component version has been updated:

  • Updated Package Runtimes component version to 4.7.2603.4250.

This release also contains internal build and release-pipeline improvements, with no change to functionality.

Fixed issues#

The following issues have been fixed within this month's release of Auto Packager.

Release Date Version Number
20th May 2026 V4.7.2605.60
Affects Versions: V4.7.2602.64697
Fix Version: V4.7.2605.60
Problem
The installfonts.bat file generated by Auto Packager did not install fonts correctly. For example, in a package for SAP GUI, the fonts rendered poorly compared with a native installation.
Cause
The batch file registered fonts under the WOW6432Node Fonts registry key instead of the native HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts key, and used the replace command, which is unreliable for this purpose. In addition, the per-user fonts folder (AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts) was on the packager exclusion list, so fonts installed there were not captured.
Solution
Fonts are now always registered in the native Fonts registry key, and the batch file uses copy instead of replace. An exception has been added to the exclusion list for the per-user fonts folder. Fonts installed in C:\Windows\Fonts, in the per-user fonts folder, or in any custom location are now captured and installed correctly.
Affects Versions: V4.7.2602.64697
Fix Version: V4.7.2605.60
Problem
Auto Packager could not complete packaging of QGIS on Windows 11. Desktop capture appeared to stall at around 75% during short-path analysis. In addition, the QGIS file association was written without an application name or application icon, so the context menu for .qgs files did not work.
Cause
During short-path analysis, Auto Packager checked every entry in the AAV log by querying the file system for a short (8.3) path equivalent, even for paths that could not be short paths. With around 200,000 entries under C:\Program Files\, and a cold file system cache, this took several hours. Separately, the file association was written with a null application name and application icon, with the icon pointing at a batch file.
Solution
Short-path analysis now identifies short paths with a lightweight check for the ~ character and no longer queries the file system for each entry. File associations are now always written with an application name and application icon. QGIS packages now complete packaging on Windows 11, and the .qgs context menu works.

Package runtimes#

The following table outlines each version of Package Runtimes that has been released this month, alongside the release date.

Release Date Version Number
20th May 2026 V4.7.2603.4250

New features#

The following new feature is included within this release of Package Runtimes.

Deployment of .url shortcuts#

Package Runtimes now deploys .url internet shortcuts contained in a package. A shortcut, such as a desktop help.url that opens the default browser, is created on deployment with its target URL, icon location and icon index. If a shortcut has an invalid or empty target URL, it is skipped and an error is logged, and the remaining shortcuts are still created. Shortcuts are removed on uninstall, and are updated on redeployment if the URL or icon has changed.

Other enhancements#

There are no additional enhancements included within this release of Package Runtimes.

Fixed issues#

No issues have been fixed within this release of Package Runtimes.