Desktop Client refuses to start due to WebView2 runtime version 114.0.1823.37

Microsoft has released version 114.0.1823.37 of a component that the Desktop Client depends on - the WebView2 Runtime. This version of the WebView2 runtime contains a regression that makes the Desktop Client crash during startup. An issue has been open with Microsoft and others have been reported affected.

For corporate customers with controlled IT environment we currently advise them to stop automatic updates until either the workaround have been distributed or a fully functional build of WebView2 have been released.

Microsoft have released a new build (114.0.1823.43 and later) that should resolve the underlying issue. This update will roll out via automatic updates and should reach most users 9-11th of June 2023.

We have developed two different solutions to the problem. Both solutions expect the auto update feature to be installed in your environment. By using the auto update feature the user does not need admin rights and the patch can be installed by the user them self.

We have applied a work-around to our latest stable version of Lime CRM Desktop - version 11.1.2918. You can download a special installer that installs this version by clicking on this link.

Make sure that you shut down the desktop client before running the installer. Run the installer by double clicking on it and follow the steps described. You should now be able to use the Desktop Client again.

This is the recommended solution to the problem.

This solution should be used if you want to continue to use an older version of the Lime CRM Desktop client. The solution is compatible with Version 11.0 or greater of the Lime CRM Desktop Client.

This solution will apply a hot-patch to the existing installation, effectively replacing the DLL files that is responsible for communicating with WebView2.

Follow the guide below, in order to apply the hot-patch:

1. Ensure that you don't have any instances of the Desktop Client running.
2. Download this installer
3. Run the installer by double clicking on it and follow the steps described. You should now be able to use the Desktop Client again.

The instructions provided in this section is intended to be read by IT Administrators that needs to bulk update installations in their organisation.

It's possible to perform silent installations of the fixes described above. The only thing you need to do is to add the /VERYSILENT flag to the installer:

.\limecrm-update-full-2023-06-05-1.0.0.exe /VERYSILENT

or

.\limecrm-update-hotfix-2023-06-05-1.0.0.exe /VERYSILENT

Some organisations have disabled the service that makes it possible to auto update Lime CRM Desktop. The fixes described above does not work in those cases. In those cases, you have the following options:

We have applied a work-around to our latest stable version of Lime CRM Desktop - version 11.1.2918. You can download the latest stable version by clicking on this link.

If you manage a large amount of client installations, instructions for deployment or automated installation of the Desktop Client can be found here.

This solution should be used if you want to continue to use an older version of the Lime CRM Desktop client. The solution is compatible with Version 11.0 or greater of the Lime CRM Desktop Client.

This solution will apply a hot-patch to the existing installation, effectively replacing the DLL files that is responsible for communicating with WebView2.

Follow the guide below, in order to apply the hot-patch:

1. Ensure that you don't have any instances of the Desktop Client running.
2. Download the hot-patch.zip file (hot-patch.zip) and extract the zip file.
3. Open the folder C:\Program Files(x86)\Lundalogik\Lime CRM and copy the 2 files you just extracted in to this location. This will replace the existing files.
4. Hot-patch is now completed. You should now be able to use the Desktop Client again.

=== Alternative solution 3: Downgrade WebView2 === This solution is more advanced and should only be applied if you have to use an older version of the Lime CRM Desktop Client. Please beware that this solution will install a fixed version of the WebView2 runtime. This means that you will not get security updates from Microsoft for this release. == Prerequisites == These instructions are intended for System Administrators with basic knowledge about PowerShell scripts. You need to have Administrator privileges to apply this fix. Your Administrator must have full access to C:\Program Files(x86)\Lundalogik (the folder where Lime CRM is installed). (You must modify the script your self if you have installed Lime CRM somewhere else. == Instructions == - Save the content below as a Powershell file on your computer, e.g. C:\tmp\webview-fix.ps1. If you're using a 32 bit architecture, please modify the first line of the script and set it to “x86”. - Open PowerShell as an Administrator and execute it. <code> $ARCH=“x64” $NAME=“Microsoft.WebView2.FixedVersionRuntime” $VERSION=“113.0.1774.57” $FULL_NAME=“$NAME.$VERSION.$ARCH” $WEBVIEW2_URI=“https://builds.lundalogik.com/api/v1/builds/$NAME.$ARCH/versions/$VERSION/file/” $DOWNLOAD_DEST=“$env:temp\webview2.cab” $LIME_CRM=“${Env:ProgramFiles(x86)}\Lundalogik\Lime CRM” $ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue' Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $WEBVIEW2_URI -OutFile $DOWNLOAD_DEST expand “$DOWNLOAD_DEST” -F:* “$LIME_CRM” if (Test-Path “$LIME_CRM\WebView2”) { Remove-Item “$LIME_CRM\WebView2” -Recurse -Force } Rename-Item “$LIME_CRM\$FULL_NAME” “$LIME_CRM\WebView2” </code>