--- title: "Alchemy May 2026" description: "What changed in Alchemy in May 2026." product: "Alchemy" edition: "Public" type: "reference" url: "https://docs.cloudhouse.com/public/whats-new/whats-new-in-2026/alchemy-may-2026/" --- # Alchemy May 2026 For the most recent component versions of Alchemy, see [Alchemy Current Component Versions](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/public/alchemy-current-component-versions/index.md). 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.