The original developer of Clash for Windows stopped development in November 2023 and removed the official repository. 0.20.39 is the final version - there are no more automatic updates. Here is what that means in practice.

Do you still need to update?

  • Already on 0.20.39: there is nothing to update to. The end of maintenance does not stop the app from working.
  • On an older build (e.g. 0.19.x): upgrading to 0.20.39 is worthwhile - just run the new installer over the existing install. Subscriptions and settings live in your user directory and survive.
  • Before any reinstall, a quick data backup is cheap insurance.

Checking the core version

The bottom of the Settings page shows the Core version (Premium cores are date-named, e.g. 2023.08.17). Or ask the API:

curl http://127.0.0.1:9090/version

Swapping the core (advanced, optional)

The bundled Premium core is also discontinued. Most users should not swap it; if you need newer protocols (VLESS, Hysteria2), the practical path is a maintained client such as Clash Verge Rev rather than transplanting a core into CFW - the client and core are tightly coupled and manual swaps often fail to start.

Security advice

  • Download only from trusted mirrors and verify the file hash before installing (certutil -hashfile file SHA256).
  • Discontinued software receives no security fixes. CFW's main attack surface is running scripts inside untrusted profiles - so never import configs from unknown sources, especially ones containing a script section.
Tip: if your provider's subscription someday adds node types the Premium core does not understand, those nodes will be missing or the profile will error - that is usually the signal to consider migrating clients.