Merge pull request 'feat(autoupdate): detect install type' (#7) from feature/auto-update into master

Reviewed-on: #7

CarManagerV3.sln

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 
 Microsoft Visual Studio Solution File, Format Version 12.00
 # Visual Studio Version 18
-VisualStudioVersion = 18.3.11520.95 d18.3
+VisualStudioVersion = 18.3.11520.95
 MinimumVisualStudioVersion = 10.0.40219.1
 Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "CarManagerV3", "CarManagerV3\CarManagerV3.csproj", "{93CA258B-A645-41A8-A24F-59036ABC173F}"
 EndProject
+Project("{54435603-DBB4-11D2-8724-00A0C9A8B90C}") = "CarManager3Setup", "CarManager3Setup\CarManager3Setup.vdproj", "{47ED51EB-1DD0-B8F0-88C8-92C6E3E06030}"
+EndProject
 Global
 	GlobalSection(SolutionConfigurationPlatforms) = preSolution
 		Debug|Any CPU = Debug|Any CPU
@@ -15,6 +17,9 @@ Global
 		{93CA258B-A645-41A8-A24F-59036ABC173F}.Debug|Any CPU.Build.0 = Debug|Any CPU
 		{93CA258B-A645-41A8-A24F-59036ABC173F}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
 		{93CA258B-A645-41A8-A24F-59036ABC173F}.Release|Any CPU.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
+		{47ED51EB-1DD0-B8F0-88C8-92C6E3E06030}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug
+		{47ED51EB-1DD0-B8F0-88C8-92C6E3E06030}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release
+		{47ED51EB-1DD0-B8F0-88C8-92C6E3E06030}.Release|Any CPU.Build.0 = Release
 	EndGlobalSection
 	GlobalSection(SolutionProperties) = preSolution
 		HideSolutionNode = FALSE

CarManagerV3/App.config

@@ -1,6 +1,21 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
 <configuration>
+    <configSections>
+        <sectionGroup name="userSettings" type="System.Configuration.UserSettingsGroup, System, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089" >
+            <section name="CarManagerV3.Properties.Settings" type="System.Configuration.ClientSettingsSection, System, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089" allowExeDefinition="MachineToLocalUser" requirePermission="false" />
+        </sectionGroup>
+    </configSections>
     <startup> 
         <supportedRuntime version="v4.0" sku=".NETFramework,Version=v4.7.2" />
     </startup>
+    <userSettings>
+        <CarManagerV3.Properties.Settings>
+            <setting name="DataLocation" serializeAs="String">
+                <value />
+            </setting>
+            <setting name="AllowPrerelease" serializeAs="String">
+                <value>False</value>
+            </setting>
+        </CarManagerV3.Properties.Settings>
+    </userSettings>
 </configuration>

CarManagerV3/CarManagerV3.csproj

@@ -15,20 +15,33 @@
     <UpdateRequired>false</UpdateRequired>
     <MapFileExtensions>true</MapFileExtensions>
     <ApplicationRevision>0</ApplicationRevision>
-    <ApplicationVersion>1.0.0.%2a</ApplicationVersion>
+    <ApplicationVersion>1.4.2</ApplicationVersion>
     <IsWebBootstrapper>false</IsWebBootstrapper>
     <UseApplicationTrust>false</UseApplicationTrust>
     <BootstrapperEnabled>true</BootstrapperEnabled>
-    <GenerateAssemblyInfo>false</GenerateAssemblyInfo>
+    <!--<GenerateAssemblyInfo>false</GenerateAssemblyInfo>-->
     <UseWindowsForms>true</UseWindowsForms>
     <ImportWindowsDesktopTargets>true</ImportWindowsDesktopTargets>
     <ApplicationIcon>CarMgm_Icon.ico</ApplicationIcon>
+    <AssemblyTitle>CarManager3</AssemblyTitle>
+    <Product>CarManager3</Product>
+    <Version>1.4.2</Version>
+    <Authors>Jaro Digital</Authors>
+    <Company>Jaro Digital</Company>
+    <Title>Car Manager 3</Title>
+    
   </PropertyGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
     <Compile Update="Forms\Components\CarCard.cs">
       <SubType>UserControl</SubType>
     </Compile>
+    <Compile Update="Properties\Settings.Designer.cs">
+      <DesignTimeSharedInput>True</DesignTimeSharedInput>
+      <AutoGen>True</AutoGen>
+      <DependentUpon>Settings.settings</DependentUpon>
+    </Compile>
     <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.CSharp" Version="4.7.0" />
+    <PackageReference Include="Newtonsoft.Json" Version="13.0.4" />
     <PackageReference Include="System.Data.DataSetExtensions" Version="4.5.0" />
     <PackageReference Include="System.Net.Http" Version="4.3.4" />
   </ItemGroup>
@@ -47,4 +60,10 @@
   <ItemGroup>
     <Content Include="CarMgm_Icon.ico" />
   </ItemGroup>
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <None Update="Properties\Settings.settings">
+      <Generator>SettingsSingleFileGenerator</Generator>
+      <LastGenOutput>Settings.Designer.cs</LastGenOutput>
+    </None>
+  </ItemGroup>
 </Project>

CarManagerV3/Forms/CarDetailsForm.Designer.cs

@@ -85,15 +85,15 @@
             tableLayoutPanel1.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 30, 4);
             tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1";
             tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 8;
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 250F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 251F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 38F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 37F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 38F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 37F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 38F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 37F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 38F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 37F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 38F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 37F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 38F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 37F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 50F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 51F));
-            tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 562);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 563);
             tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0;
             // 
             // pbxCarImage
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
             pbxCarImage.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 4);
             pbxCarImage.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             pbxCarImage.Name = "pbxCarImage";
-            pbxCarImage.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(530, 242);
+            pbxCarImage.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(530, 243);
             pbxCarImage.SizeMode = System.Windows.Forms.PictureBoxSizeMode.Zoom;
             pbxCarImage.TabIndex = 0;
             pbxCarImage.TabStop = false;
@@ -113,9 +113,9 @@
             // 
             label1.AutoSize = true;
             label1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 250);
+            label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 251);
             label1.Name = "label1";
-            label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 38);
+            label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 37);
             label1.TabIndex = 1;
             label1.Text = "Make:";
             label1.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
             // tbxMake
             // 
             tbxMake.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            tbxMake.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 254);
+            tbxMake.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 255);
             tbxMake.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             tbxMake.Name = "tbxMake";
             tbxMake.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(450, 27);
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@
             label2.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
             label2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 288);
             label2.Name = "label2";
-            label2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 38);
+            label2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 37);
             label2.TabIndex = 3;
             label2.Text = "Model:";
             label2.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
@@ -157,9 +157,9 @@
             // 
             label3.AutoSize = true;
             label3.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            label3.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 326);
+            label3.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 325);
             label3.Name = "label3";
-            label3.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 38);
+            label3.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 37);
             label3.TabIndex = 5;
             label3.Text = "Year:";
             label3.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
@@ -168,9 +168,9 @@
             // 
             label4.AutoSize = true;
             label4.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            label4.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 364);
+            label4.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 362);
             label4.Name = "label4";
-            label4.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 38);
+            label4.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 37);
             label4.TabIndex = 6;
             label4.Text = "Color:";
             label4.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
@@ -179,9 +179,9 @@
             // 
             label5.AutoSize = true;
             label5.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            label5.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 402);
+            label5.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 399);
             label5.Name = "label5";
-            label5.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 38);
+            label5.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 37);
             label5.TabIndex = 7;
             label5.Text = "Mileage:";
             label5.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
@@ -190,9 +190,9 @@
             // 
             label6.AutoSize = true;
             label6.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            label6.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 440);
+            label6.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 436);
             label6.Name = "label6";
-            label6.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 38);
+            label6.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(74, 37);
             label6.TabIndex = 8;
             label6.Text = "Price:";
             label6.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
@@ -205,16 +205,16 @@
             flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblID);
             flowLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
             flowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.RightToLeft;
-            flowLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 482);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 477);
             flowLayoutPanel1.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             flowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowLayoutPanel1";
-            flowLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(5, 6, 5, 6);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(5);
-            flowLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(530, 76);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(530, 82);
             flowLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 9;
             // 
             // btnSave
             // 
-            btnSave.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(442, 10);
+            btnSave.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(442, 9);
             btnSave.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             btnSave.Name = "btnSave";
             btnSave.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(75, 29);
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@
             // 
             // btnDelete
             // 
-            btnDelete.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(361, 10);
+            btnDelete.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(361, 9);
             btnDelete.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             btnDelete.Name = "btnDelete";
             btnDelete.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(75, 29);
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@
             // lblID
             // 
             lblID.AutoSize = true;
-            lblID.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(331, 6);
+            lblID.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(331, 5);
             lblID.Name = "lblID";
             lblID.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(24, 20);
             lblID.TabIndex = 2;
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@
             // tbxColor
             // 
             tbxColor.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            tbxColor.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 368);
+            tbxColor.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 366);
             tbxColor.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             tbxColor.Name = "tbxColor";
             tbxColor.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(450, 27);
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
             // 
             // nudMileage
             // 
-            nudMileage.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 406);
+            nudMileage.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 403);
             nudMileage.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             nudMileage.Maximum = new decimal(new int[] { 999999, 0, 0, 0 });
             nudMileage.Name = "nudMileage";
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@
             // nudPrice
             // 
             nudPrice.DecimalPlaces = 2;
-            nudPrice.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 444);
+            nudPrice.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 440);
             nudPrice.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             nudPrice.Maximum = new decimal(new int[] { 999999, 0, 0, 0 });
             nudPrice.Name = "nudPrice";
@@ -287,12 +287,12 @@
             tableLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(lblAge, 1, 0);
             tableLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(tbxAge, 2, 0);
             tableLayoutPanel2.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            tableLayoutPanel2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 330);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(83, 329);
             tableLayoutPanel2.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
             tableLayoutPanel2.Name = "tableLayoutPanel2";
             tableLayoutPanel2.RowCount = 1;
             tableLayoutPanel2.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 100F));
-            tableLayoutPanel2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(450, 30);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(450, 29);
             tableLayoutPanel2.TabIndex = 10;
             // 
             // nudYear
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@
             lblAge.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(153, 0);
             lblAge.Name = "lblAge";
             lblAge.RightToLeft = System.Windows.Forms.RightToLeft.No;
-            lblAge.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(144, 30);
+            lblAge.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(144, 29);
             lblAge.TabIndex = 4;
             lblAge.Text = "Age";
             lblAge.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleRight;
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@
             // 
             AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(8F, 20F);
             AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
-            ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 562);
+            ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 563);
             Controls.Add(tableLayoutPanel1);
             FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedDialog;
             Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);

CarManagerV3/Forms/Components/AnimatedProgressBar.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.ComponentModel;
+using System.Data;
+using System.Drawing;
+using System.Drawing.Drawing2D;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+
+namespace CarManagerV3
+{
+    public class AnimatedProgressBar : UserControl
+    {
+        private Timer animationTimer;
+        private float animationPosition = 0f;
+        private Color primaryColor = Color.FromArgb(0, 120, 215);
+        private Color secondaryColor = Color.FromArgb(100, 180, 255);
+        private Color backgroundColor = Color.FromArgb(240, 240, 240);
+
+        public AnimatedProgressBar()
+        {
+            this.SetStyle(
+                ControlStyles.AllPaintingInWmPaint |
+                ControlStyles.UserPaint |
+                ControlStyles.OptimizedDoubleBuffer |
+                ControlStyles.ResizeRedraw,
+                true);
+
+            this.Height = 8;
+
+            // Initialize animation timer
+            animationTimer = new Timer();
+            animationTimer.Interval = 20; // 50 FPS
+            animationTimer.Tick += AnimationTimer_Tick;
+            animationTimer.Start();
+        }
+
+        private void AnimationTimer_Tick(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            animationPosition += 2f;
+            if (animationPosition > this.Width + 100)
+            {
+                animationPosition = -100;
+            }
+            this.Invalidate();
+        }
+
+        protected override void OnPaint(PaintEventArgs e)
+        {
+            base.OnPaint(e);
+
+            Graphics g = e.Graphics;
+            g.SmoothingMode = SmoothingMode.AntiAlias;
+            g.PixelOffsetMode = PixelOffsetMode.HighQuality;
+
+            // Draw background with rounded corners
+            using (GraphicsPath path = GetRoundedRect(ClientRectangle, 4))
+            {
+                using (SolidBrush bgBrush = new SolidBrush(backgroundColor))
+                {
+                    g.FillPath(bgBrush, path);
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Create animated gradient bar
+            float barWidth = 100f;
+            RectangleF barRect = new RectangleF(animationPosition, 0, barWidth, this.Height);
+
+            if (barRect.Right > 0 && barRect.Left < this.Width)
+            {
+                using (GraphicsPath barPath = GetRoundedRect(barRect, 4))
+                {
+                    // Create gradient brush
+                    using (LinearGradientBrush gradientBrush = new LinearGradientBrush(
+                        barRect,
+                        Color.Transparent,
+                        Color.Transparent,
+                        LinearGradientMode.Horizontal))
+                    {
+                        ColorBlend colorBlend = new ColorBlend();
+                        colorBlend.Colors = new Color[] {
+                            Color.FromArgb(0, primaryColor),
+                            primaryColor,
+                            secondaryColor,
+                            primaryColor,
+                            Color.FromArgb(0, primaryColor)
+                        };
+                        colorBlend.Positions = new float[] { 0f, 0.2f, 0.5f, 0.8f, 1f };
+                        gradientBrush.InterpolationColors = colorBlend;
+
+                        // Clip to control bounds
+                        Region oldClip = g.Clip;
+                        using (GraphicsPath clipPath = GetRoundedRect(ClientRectangle, 4))
+                        {
+                            g.SetClip(clipPath);
+                            g.FillPath(gradientBrush, barPath);
+                            g.Clip = oldClip;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Draw subtle border
+            using (GraphicsPath borderPath = GetRoundedRect(ClientRectangle, 4))
+            {
+                using (Pen borderPen = new Pen(Color.FromArgb(220, 220, 220), 1))
+                {
+                    g.DrawPath(borderPen, borderPath);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        private GraphicsPath GetRoundedRect(RectangleF rect, float radius)
+        {
+            GraphicsPath path = new GraphicsPath();
+            float diameter = radius * 2;
+
+            path.AddArc(rect.X, rect.Y, diameter, diameter, 180, 90);
+            path.AddArc(rect.Right - diameter, rect.Y, diameter, diameter, 270, 90);
+            path.AddArc(rect.Right - diameter, rect.Bottom - diameter, diameter, diameter, 0, 90);
+            path.AddArc(rect.X, rect.Bottom - diameter, diameter, diameter, 90, 90);
+            path.CloseFigure();
+
+            return path;
+        }
+
+        public void StartAnimation()
+        {
+            animationTimer.Start();
+        }
+
+        public void StopAnimation()
+        {
+            animationTimer.Stop();
+        }
+
+        //protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
+        //{
+        //    if (disposing)
+        //    {
+        //        animationTimer?.Stop();
+        //        animationTimer?.Dispose();
+        //    }
+        //    base.Dispose(disposing);
+        //}
+
+        // Properties for customization
+        public Color PrimaryColor
+        {
+            get => primaryColor;
+            set
+            {
+                primaryColor = value;
+                this.Invalidate();
+            }
+        }
+
+        public Color SecondaryColor
+        {
+            get => secondaryColor;
+            set
+            {
+                secondaryColor = value;
+                this.Invalidate();
+            }
+        }
+
+        public Color ProgressBackColor
+        {
+            get => backgroundColor;
+            set
+            {
+                backgroundColor = value;
+                this.Invalidate();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Forms/Components/AnimatedProgressBar.resx

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<root>
+  <!-- 
+    Microsoft ResX Schema 
+    
+    Version 2.0
+    
+    The primary goals of this format is to allow a simple XML format 
+    that is mostly human readable. The generation and parsing of the 
+    various data types are done through the TypeConverter classes 
+    associated with the data types.
+    
+    Example:
+    
+    ... ado.net/XML headers & schema ...
+    <resheader name="resmimetype">text/microsoft-resx</resheader>
+    <resheader name="version">2.0</resheader>
+    <resheader name="reader">System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <resheader name="writer">System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <data name="Name1"><value>this is my long string</value><comment>this is a comment</comment></data>
+    <data name="Color1" type="System.Drawing.Color, System.Drawing">Blue</data>
+    <data name="Bitmap1" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded serialized .NET Framework object]</value>
+    </data>
+    <data name="Icon1" type="System.Drawing.Icon, System.Drawing" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded string representing a byte array form of the .NET Framework object]</value>
+        <comment>This is a comment</comment>
+    </data>
+                
+    There are any number of "resheader" rows that contain simple 
+    name/value pairs.
+    
+    Each data row contains a name, and value. The row also contains a 
+    type or mimetype. Type corresponds to a .NET class that support 
+    text/value conversion through the TypeConverter architecture. 
+    Classes that don't support this are serialized and stored with the 
+    mimetype set.
+    
+    The mimetype is used for serialized objects, and tells the 
+    ResXResourceReader how to depersist the object. This is currently not 
+    extensible. For a given mimetype the value must be set accordingly:
+    
+    Note - application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64 is the format 
+    that the ResXResourceWriter will generate, however the reader can 
+    read any of the formats listed below.
+    
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with 
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+    
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.soap.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with 
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Soap.SoapFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized into a byte array 
+            : using a System.ComponentModel.TypeConverter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+    -->
+  <xsd:schema id="root" xmlns="" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:msdata="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xml-msdata">
+    <xsd:import namespace="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" />
+    <xsd:element name="root" msdata:IsDataSet="true">
+      <xsd:complexType>
+        <xsd:choice maxOccurs="unbounded">
+          <xsd:element name="metadata">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" use="required" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="assembly">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:attribute name="alias" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="data">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+                <xsd:element name="comment" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="2" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="3" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="4" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="resheader">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+        </xsd:choice>
+      </xsd:complexType>
+    </xsd:element>
+  </xsd:schema>
+  <resheader name="resmimetype">
+    <value>text/microsoft-resx</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="version">
+    <value>2.0</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="reader">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="writer">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+</root>

CarManagerV3/Forms/Components/CarCard.Designer.cs

@@ -29,81 +29,82 @@
         private void InitializeComponent()
         {
             System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager resources = new System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager(typeof(CarCard));
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel();
+            tableLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel();
-            this.lblCarDetails = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            lblCarDetails = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
-            this.lblCarName = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            lblCarName = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
-            this.pbxCar = new System.Windows.Forms.PictureBox();
+            pbxCar = new System.Windows.Forms.PictureBox();
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
+            tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
-            ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.pbxCar)).BeginInit();
+            ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)pbxCar).BeginInit();
-            this.SuspendLayout();
+            SuspendLayout();
             // 
             // tableLayoutPanel1
             // 
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 1;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 1;
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 100F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 100F));
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.lblCarDetails, 0, 2);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblCarDetails, 0, 2);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.lblCarName, 0, 1);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblCarName, 0, 1);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.pbxCar, 0, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(pbxCar, 0, 0);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.MaximumSize = new System.Drawing.Size(210, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.MaximumSize = new System.Drawing.Size(184, 0);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1";
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1";
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 3;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 3;
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 130F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 122F));
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(210, 200);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(184, 188);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0;
             // 
             // lblCarDetails
             // 
-            this.lblCarDetails.AutoSize = true;
+            lblCarDetails.AutoSize = true;
-            this.lblCarDetails.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 174);
+            lblCarDetails.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 166);
-            this.lblCarDetails.Name = "lblCarDetails";
+            lblCarDetails.Name = "lblCarDetails";
-            this.lblCarDetails.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(101, 16);
+            lblCarDetails.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(92, 15);
-            this.lblCarDetails.TabIndex = 5;
+            lblCarDetails.TabIndex = 5;
-            this.lblCarDetails.Text = "2009 - 13.000km";
+            lblCarDetails.Text = "2009 - 13.000km";
             // 
             // lblCarName
             // 
-            this.lblCarName.AutoSize = true;
+            lblCarName.AutoSize = true;
-            this.lblCarName.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            lblCarName.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            this.lblCarName.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Arial", 13.8F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Bold, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, ((byte)(0)));
+            lblCarName.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Arial", 13.8F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Bold, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, 0);
-            this.lblCarName.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 130);
+            lblCarName.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 122);
-            this.lblCarName.Name = "lblCarName";
+            lblCarName.Name = "lblCarName";
-            this.lblCarName.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(204, 44);
+            lblCarName.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(178, 44);
-            this.lblCarName.TabIndex = 4;
+            lblCarName.TabIndex = 4;
-            this.lblCarName.Text = "Skoda Fabia fdsdfsdfsdfsdf";
+            lblCarName.Text = "Skoda Fabia fdsdfsdfsdfsdf";
-            this.lblCarName.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleLeft;
+            lblCarName.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleLeft;
             // 
             // pbxCar
             // 
-            this.pbxCar.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            pbxCar.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
-            this.pbxCar.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("pbxCar.Image")));
+            pbxCar.ErrorImage = (System.Drawing.Image)resources.GetObject("pbxCar.ErrorImage");
-            this.pbxCar.ImageLocation = "";
+            pbxCar.Image = (System.Drawing.Image)resources.GetObject("pbxCar.Image");
-            this.pbxCar.InitialImage = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("pbxCar.InitialImage")));
+            pbxCar.ImageLocation = "";
-            this.pbxCar.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 3);
+            pbxCar.InitialImage = (System.Drawing.Image)resources.GetObject("pbxCar.InitialImage");
-            this.pbxCar.Name = "pbxCar";
+            pbxCar.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 3);
-            this.pbxCar.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(204, 124);
+            pbxCar.Name = "pbxCar";
-            this.pbxCar.SizeMode = System.Windows.Forms.PictureBoxSizeMode.Zoom;
+            pbxCar.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(178, 116);
-            this.pbxCar.TabIndex = 3;
+            pbxCar.SizeMode = System.Windows.Forms.PictureBoxSizeMode.Zoom;
-            this.pbxCar.TabStop = false;
+            pbxCar.TabIndex = 3;
+            pbxCar.TabStop = false;
             // 
             // CarCard
             // 
-            this.AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(8F, 16F);
+            AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(7F, 15F);
-            this.AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
+            AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
-            this.AutoSize = true;
+            AutoSize = true;
-            this.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control;
+            BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control;
-            this.Controls.Add(this.tableLayoutPanel1);
+            Controls.Add(tableLayoutPanel1);
-            this.Name = "CarCard";
+            Name = "CarCard";
-            this.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(210, 200);
+            Size = new System.Drawing.Size(184, 188);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
-            this.tableLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
+            tableLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
-            ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.pbxCar)).EndInit();
+            ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)pbxCar).EndInit();
-            this.ResumeLayout(false);
+            ResumeLayout(false);
-            this.PerformLayout();
+            PerformLayout();
 
         }
 

CarManagerV3/Forms/Components/CarCard.cs

@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
 
         public async void LoadImage()
         {
+            this.CarImage = null; // Clear current image
             this.CarImage = pbxCar.InitialImage; // Set to loading image
             await Task.Run(() =>
             {
@@ -58,6 +59,10 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
                 {
                     this.CarImage = img;
                 }
+                else
+                {
+                    this.CarImage = pbxCar.ErrorImage; // Set to error image if loading fails
+                }
             });
         }
 

CarManagerV3/Forms/MainForm.Designer.cs

@@ -49,10 +49,14 @@
             addCarToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
             importToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
             clearSearchToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
+            settingsToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
             toolsToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
             openWelcomeScreenToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
             clearRecentFilesToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
             imageList1 = new System.Windows.Forms.ImageList(components);
+            aboutToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
+            checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
+            gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
             tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
             tlpControls.SuspendLayout();
             tlpSearch.SuspendLayout();
@@ -170,7 +174,7 @@
             // 
             menuStrip1.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.ButtonFace;
             menuStrip1.ImageScalingSize = new System.Drawing.Size(20, 20);
-            menuStrip1.Items.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] { fileToolStripMenuItem, editToolStripMenuItem, toolsToolStripMenuItem });
+            menuStrip1.Items.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] { fileToolStripMenuItem, editToolStripMenuItem, toolsToolStripMenuItem, aboutToolStripMenuItem });
             menuStrip1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
             menuStrip1.Name = "menuStrip1";
             menuStrip1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(902, 28);
@@ -231,7 +235,7 @@
             // 
             // editToolStripMenuItem
             // 
-            editToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] { addCarToolStripMenuItem, importToolStripMenuItem, clearSearchToolStripMenuItem });
+            editToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] { addCarToolStripMenuItem, importToolStripMenuItem, clearSearchToolStripMenuItem, settingsToolStripMenuItem });
             editToolStripMenuItem.Name = "editToolStripMenuItem";
             editToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(49, 24);
             editToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Edit";
@@ -257,6 +261,13 @@
             clearSearchToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Clear Search";
             clearSearchToolStripMenuItem.Click += clearSearchToolStripMenuItem_Click;
             // 
+            // settingsToolStripMenuItem
+            // 
+            settingsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "settingsToolStripMenuItem";
+            settingsToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(174, 26);
+            settingsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Settings";
+            settingsToolStripMenuItem.Click += settingsToolStripMenuItem_Click;
+            // 
             // toolsToolStripMenuItem
             // 
             toolsToolStripMenuItem.DisplayStyle = System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItemDisplayStyle.Text;
@@ -289,6 +300,27 @@
             imageList1.Images.SetKeyName(0, "Icon_Search.png");
             imageList1.Images.SetKeyName(1, "Icon_Add.png");
             // 
+            // aboutToolStripMenuItem
+            // 
+            aboutToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] { checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem, gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem });
+            aboutToolStripMenuItem.Name = "aboutToolStripMenuItem";
+            aboutToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(64, 24);
+            aboutToolStripMenuItem.Text = "About";
+            // 
+            // checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem
+            // 
+            checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem.Name = "checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem";
+            checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(224, 26);
+            checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Check for Updates";
+            checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem.Click += checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem_Click;
+            // 
+            // gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem
+            // 
+            gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem.Name = "gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem";
+            gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(224, 26);
+            gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Git Repository";
+            gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem.Click += gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem_Click;
+            // 
             // MainForm
             // 
             AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(8F, 20F);
@@ -339,5 +371,9 @@
         private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem importToolStripMenuItem;
         private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem exitToolStripMenuItem;
         private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem clearRecentFilesToolStripMenuItem;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem settingsToolStripMenuItem;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem aboutToolStripMenuItem;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem;
     }
 }

CarManagerV3/Forms/MainForm.cs

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ using System.Linq;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using System.Windows.Forms;
 using CarManagerV3.Forms;
+using CarManagerV3.Manager;
+using CarManagerV3.Util;
 
 namespace CarManagerV3
 {
@@ -13,13 +15,30 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         List<Car> cars = new List<Car>();
         string filepath = "";
 
-        public MainForm()
+        public static MainForm GetMainForm()
+        {
+            // This is a singleton pattern to ensure only one instance of MainForm exists.
+            // If you need to access the MainForm instance, you can use this method.
+            return Application.OpenForms.OfType<MainForm>().FirstOrDefault() ?? new MainForm();
+        }
+
+        public MainForm(string pathToOpen = "")
         {
             InitializeComponent();
+            if (Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation == "")
+            {
+                Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData) + "\\CarManagerV3";
+                Properties.Settings.Default.Save();
+            }
 
             // Open the most recent file if it exists. Otherwise, use default filepath.
             List<string> recentFiles = SafeManager.GetRecentPaths();
-            if (recentFiles.Count > 0)
+            if (!String.IsNullOrEmpty(pathToOpen))
+            {
+                filepath = pathToOpen;
+                SafeManager.AddRecentPath(filepath);
+            }
+            else if (recentFiles.Count > 0)
             {
                 filepath = recentFiles[0];
             }
@@ -43,6 +62,30 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
             }
 
             refreshRecents();
+            try
+            {
+                if (Updater.IsUpdateAvailable(Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease))
+                {
+                    if (InstallModeDetector.IsInstalledViaMsi())
+                    {
+                        UpdatePromptForm updatePrompt = new UpdatePromptForm(Updater.GetCurrentVersion(true), Updater.GetLatestVersion(Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease));
+                        updatePrompt.ShowDialog();
+                    } else
+                    {
+                        DialogResult updateResult = MessageBox.Show($"A new version of Car Manager is available! \nYour Version: {Updater.GetCurrentVersion(true)} \nLatest Version: {Updater.GetLatestVersion(Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease)} \n\nDo you want to open the Git repository to download the update?", "Update Available", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo, MessageBoxIcon.Information);
+                        if (updateResult == DialogResult.Yes)
+                        {
+                            Updater.OpenReleasePage(Updater.GetLatestVersion(Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease));
+                        }
+                    }
+                    
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Console.Error.WriteLine("Error checking for updates: " + ex.Message);
+            }
+
 
         }
 
@@ -90,7 +133,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="_cars">The cars.</param>
         /// <param name="updateGlobal">if set to <c>true</c> [update global].</param>
-        private async void refreshCars(List<Car> _cars, bool updateGlobal = true)
+        private async void refreshCars(List<Car> _cars, bool updateGlobal = true, bool force = false)
         {
 
             this.Text = "Car Manager - " + System.IO.Path.GetFileName(filepath);
@@ -120,12 +163,12 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
                     }
                     // compare details
                     // Console.WriteLine($"[L] Checking car: {car.Id} | Car Color: {car.Color} | Ex Color: {existingCar.Color}");
-                    if (existingCar.IsChanged(car))
+                    if (existingCar.IsChanged(car) || force)
                     {
                         Console.WriteLine($"[L] Updating car: {car.Id}");
                         // changes
                         card = existing;
-
+                        if (force) card.LoadImage(); // reload image if forced refresh
                     }
                     else
                     {
@@ -291,7 +334,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         private void openToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
         {
             OpenFileDialog dlgOpen = new OpenFileDialog();
-            dlgOpen.Filter = "CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
+            dlgOpen.Filter = "Compatible Files (*.csv;*.cars)|*.csv;*.cars|CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|Car Manager CSV (*.cars)|*.cars|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
             dlgOpen.Title = "Open Car Data File";
             // Default to users documents
             dlgOpen.InitialDirectory = SafeManager.getRecentFolder();
@@ -337,7 +380,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         private void saveAsToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
         {
             SaveFileDialog dlgSave = new SaveFileDialog();
-            dlgSave.Filter = "CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
+            dlgSave.Filter = "Compatible Files (*.csv;*.cars)|*.csv;*.cars|CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|Car Manager CSV (*.cars)|*.cars|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
             dlgSave.Title = "Save Car Data File As";
             // Default to users documents
             dlgSave.InitialDirectory = SafeManager.getRecentFolder();
@@ -370,7 +413,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
             if (result == DialogResult.Yes)
             {
                 OpenFileDialog dlgOpen = new OpenFileDialog();
-                dlgOpen.Filter = "CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
+                dlgOpen.Filter = "Compatible Files (*.csv;*.cars)|*.csv;*.cars|CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|Car Manager CSV (*.cars)|*.cars|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
                 dlgOpen.Title = "Import Car Data File";
                 // Default to users documents
                 dlgOpen.InitialDirectory = SafeManager.getRecentFolder();
@@ -394,7 +437,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
                         if (mergeAsNewFileResult == DialogResult.Yes)
                         {
                             SaveFileDialog dlgSave = new SaveFileDialog();
-                            dlgSave.Filter = "CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
+                            dlgSave.Filter = "Compatible Files (*.csv;*.cars)|*.csv;*.cars|CSV Files (*.csv)|*.csv|Car Manager CSV (*.cars)|*.cars|All Files (*.*)|*.*";
                             dlgSave.Title = "Save Merged Car Data File As";
                             // Default to users documents
                             dlgSave.InitialDirectory = SafeManager.getRecentFolder();
@@ -519,5 +562,49 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         {
             SafeManager.ClearRecentPaths();
         }
+
+        private void settingsToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            SettingsForm settingsForm = new SettingsForm();
+            settingsForm.FormClosed += (s2, e2) =>
+            {
+                // refresh cars in case data location changed
+                List<Car> cars_ = SafeManager.ReadCars(filepath);
+                refreshCars(cars_, false, true);
+                System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("Refreshed!");
+            };
+            settingsForm.ShowDialog();
+
+        }
+
+        private void checkForUpdatesToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                if (Updater.IsUpdateAvailable(Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease))
+                {
+                    UpdatePromptForm updatePrompt = new UpdatePromptForm(Updater.GetCurrentVersion(true), Updater.GetLatestVersion(Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease));
+                    updatePrompt.ShowDialog();
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    MessageBox.Show($"You are already using the latest version. \nYour Version: {Updater.GetCurrentVersion(true)} \nLatest Version: {Updater.GetLatestVersion(Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease)}", "No Updates Available", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information);
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                MessageBox.Show("Error checking for updates: " + ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
+            }
+        }
+
+        private void gitRepositoryToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            // Open the Git repository in the user's default browser
+            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo
+            {
+                FileName = "https://git.jaro.digital/frozd/carmanager-3",
+                UseShellExecute = true
+            });
+        }
     }
 }

CarManagerV3/Forms/MainForm.resx

@@ -117,6 +117,9 @@
   <resheader name="writer">
     <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
   </resheader>
+  <metadata name="menuStrip1.TrayLocation" type="System.Drawing.Point, System.Drawing, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a">
+    <value>17, 17</value>
+  </metadata>
   <assembly alias="System.Drawing" name="System.Drawing, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a" />
   <data name="btnNewCar.Image" type="System.Drawing.Bitmap, System.Drawing" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64">
     <value>
@@ -139,9 +142,6 @@
         VXs21p8MAVc2KdQAvwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==
 </value>
   </data>
-  <metadata name="menuStrip1.TrayLocation" type="System.Drawing.Point, System.Drawing, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a">
-    <value>17, 17</value>
-  </metadata>
   <metadata name="imageList1.TrayLocation" type="System.Drawing.Point, System.Drawing, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a">
     <value>153, 17</value>
   </metadata>
@@ -150,15 +150,15 @@
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         LCBQdWJsaWNLZXlUb2tlbj1iNzdhNWM1NjE5MzRlMDg5BQEAAAAmU3lzdGVtLldpbmRvd3MuRm9ybXMu
         SW1hZ2VMaXN0U3RyZWFtZXIBAAAABERhdGEHAgIAAAAJAwAAAA8DAAAAYAQAAAJNU0Z0AUkBTAIBAQIB
-        AAGAAQABgAEAARQBAAEUAQAE/wEhAQAI/wFCAU0BNgcAATYDAAEoAwABUAMAARQDAAEBAQABIAYAARn/
+        AAGYAQABmAEAARQBAAEUAQAE/wEhAQAI/wFCAU0BNgcAATYDAAEoAwABUAMAARQDAAEBAQABIAYAARn/
         AP8AzAADCAEKAyMBMgMuAUYDFgEe/wAtAAMIAQoDIwEyAk8BTgGXAlYBVAGrAy4BRv8ALQADIwEyAk8B
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         XQHMBP/UAAMDAQQDDwETA0QBewJPAU4BlwNNAZIDQAFuAwYBBwMpAT0DTgGYAlsBWQHAAk8BTgGXAyMB
         MgMIAQowAANdAcwE/9AAAxMBGgMxAU0DRAF5AlwBWQHBAmEBXQHPAl0BWwHKAlcBVQG0Az8BbQNSAaMC
         WwFZAcADTgGYAygBPDgAA10BzAT/zAADAwEEAzEBTQJZAVcBvAJgAV0BzgNLAYwDQAFvA0ABbwNLAYwC
-        YAFdAc4BhgFzAVMB9AJTAVEBogMpAT08AANdAcwE/8wAAw8BEwNEAXkCYAFdAc4DBgEIBAIIAAQCAwYB
+        YAFdAc4BfAFtAVMB9AJTAVEBogMpAT08AANdAcwE/8wAAw8BEwNEAXkCYAFdAc4DBgEIBAIIAAQCAwYB
         CAJgAV0BzgM+AWsDBAEFKAADXQHMLP+4AANEAXkDWgG/A0sBjAQCEAAEAgNLAYwCWgFYAbcDQQFxKAAD
-        UgGjA10BzANdAcwDXQHMA10BzAOOAfUE/wNdAcwDXQHMA10BzANdAcwDXQHMuAACTwFOAZcCYAFdAc4D
+        UgGjA10BzANdAcwDXQHMA10BzAOFAfUE/wNdAcwDXQHMA10BzANdAcwDXQHMuAACTwFOAZcCYAFdAc4D
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CarManagerV3/Forms/NetCredentials.Designer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+namespace CarManagerV3.Forms
+{
+    partial class NetCredentials
+    {
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Required designer variable.
+        /// </summary>
+        private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Clean up any resources being used.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="disposing">true if managed resources should be disposed; otherwise, false.</param>
+        protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
+        {
+            if (disposing && (components != null))
+            {
+                components.Dispose();
+            }
+            base.Dispose(disposing);
+        }
+
+        #region Windows Form Designer generated code
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Required method for Designer support - do not modify
+        /// the contents of this method with the code editor.
+        /// </summary>
+        private void InitializeComponent()
+        {
+            flowLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
+            label1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            label2 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            label3 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            tbxUsername = new System.Windows.Forms.TextBox();
+            label4 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            tbxPassword = new System.Windows.Forms.TextBox();
+            flowLayoutPanel2 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
+            btnAccept = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            btnCancel = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            flowLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel2.SuspendLayout();
+            SuspendLayout();
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel1
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label1);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label2);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label3);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(tbxUsername);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label4);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(tbxPassword);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.TopDown;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowLayoutPanel1";
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(349, 248);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0;
+            // 
+            // label1
+            // 
+            label1.AutoSize = true;
+            label1.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Segoe UI", 14F);
+            label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 10);
+            label1.Name = "label1";
+            label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(232, 25);
+            label1.TabIndex = 0;
+            label1.Text = "Enter Network Credentials";
+            // 
+            // label2
+            // 
+            label2.AutoSize = true;
+            label2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 35);
+            label2.Name = "label2";
+            label2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(308, 30);
+            label2.TabIndex = 1;
+            label2.Text = "Your network requires credentials to access data through the proxy";
+            // 
+            // label3
+            // 
+            label3.AutoSize = true;
+            label3.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 85);
+            label3.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 20, 3, 0);
+            label3.Name = "label3";
+            label3.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(86, 15);
+            label3.TabIndex = 2;
+            label3.Text = "Your username";
+            // 
+            // tbxUsername
+            // 
+            tbxUsername.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 103);
+            tbxUsername.Name = "tbxUsername";
+            tbxUsername.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(308, 23);
+            tbxUsername.TabIndex = 3;
+            // 
+            // label4
+            // 
+            label4.AutoSize = true;
+            label4.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 139);
+            label4.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 10, 3, 0);
+            label4.Name = "label4";
+            label4.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(84, 15);
+            label4.TabIndex = 4;
+            label4.Text = "Your password";
+            // 
+            // tbxPassword
+            // 
+            tbxPassword.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 157);
+            tbxPassword.Name = "tbxPassword";
+            tbxPassword.PasswordChar = '*';
+            tbxPassword.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(308, 23);
+            tbxPassword.TabIndex = 5;
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel2
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(btnAccept);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(btnCancel);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Bottom;
+            flowLayoutPanel2.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.RightToLeft;
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 198);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Name = "flowLayoutPanel2";
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(349, 50);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.TabIndex = 1;
+            // 
+            // btnAccept
+            // 
+            btnAccept.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Top | System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Right;
+            btnAccept.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(271, 3);
+            btnAccept.Name = "btnAccept";
+            btnAccept.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(75, 23);
+            btnAccept.TabIndex = 0;
+            btnAccept.Text = "Save";
+            btnAccept.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            btnAccept.Click += btnAccept_Click;
+            // 
+            // btnCancel
+            // 
+            btnCancel.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(190, 3);
+            btnCancel.Name = "btnCancel";
+            btnCancel.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(75, 23);
+            btnCancel.TabIndex = 1;
+            btnCancel.Text = "Cancel";
+            btnCancel.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            // 
+            // NetCredentials
+            // 
+            AcceptButton = btnAccept;
+            AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(7F, 15F);
+            AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
+            CancelButton = btnCancel;
+            ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(349, 248);
+            ControlBox = false;
+            Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel2);
+            Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel1);
+            FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedDialog;
+            MaximizeBox = false;
+            Name = "NetCredentials";
+            StartPosition = System.Windows.Forms.FormStartPosition.CenterParent;
+            Text = "Enter Network Credentials";
+            TopMost = true;
+            Load += NetCredentials_Load;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel2.ResumeLayout(false);
+            ResumeLayout(false);
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label3;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.TextBox tbxUsername;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label4;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.TextBox tbxPassword;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnAccept;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnCancel;
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Forms/NetCredentials.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.ComponentModel;
+using System.Data;
+using System.Drawing;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Net;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+
+namespace CarManagerV3.Forms
+{
+    public partial class NetCredentials : Form
+    {
+        public NetCredentials()
+        {
+            InitializeComponent();
+        }
+
+        public NetworkCredential GetCredentails()
+        {
+            return new NetworkCredential(tbxUsername.Text, tbxPassword.Text);
+        }
+
+        private void NetCredentials_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            this.BringToFront();
+            this.Focus();
+        }
+
+        private void btnAccept_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            this.DialogResult = DialogResult.OK;
+            this.Close();
+        }
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Forms/NetCredentials.resx

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<root>
+  <!--
+    Microsoft ResX Schema
+
+    Version 2.0
+
+    The primary goals of this format is to allow a simple XML format
+    that is mostly human readable. The generation and parsing of the
+    various data types are done through the TypeConverter classes
+    associated with the data types.
+
+    Example:
+
+    ... ado.net/XML headers & schema ...
+    <resheader name="resmimetype">text/microsoft-resx</resheader>
+    <resheader name="version">2.0</resheader>
+    <resheader name="reader">System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <resheader name="writer">System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <data name="Name1"><value>this is my long string</value><comment>this is a comment</comment></data>
+    <data name="Color1" type="System.Drawing.Color, System.Drawing">Blue</data>
+    <data name="Bitmap1" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded serialized .NET Framework object]</value>
+    </data>
+    <data name="Icon1" type="System.Drawing.Icon, System.Drawing" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded string representing a byte array form of the .NET Framework object]</value>
+        <comment>This is a comment</comment>
+    </data>
+
+    There are any number of "resheader" rows that contain simple
+    name/value pairs.
+
+    Each data row contains a name, and value. The row also contains a
+    type or mimetype. Type corresponds to a .NET class that support
+    text/value conversion through the TypeConverter architecture.
+    Classes that don't support this are serialized and stored with the
+    mimetype set.
+
+    The mimetype is used for serialized objects, and tells the
+    ResXResourceReader how to depersist the object. This is currently not
+    extensible. For a given mimetype the value must be set accordingly:
+
+    Note - application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64 is the format
+    that the ResXResourceWriter will generate, however the reader can
+    read any of the formats listed below.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.soap.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Soap.SoapFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized into a byte array
+            : using a System.ComponentModel.TypeConverter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+    -->
+  <xsd:schema id="root" xmlns="" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:msdata="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xml-msdata">
+    <xsd:import namespace="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" />
+    <xsd:element name="root" msdata:IsDataSet="true">
+      <xsd:complexType>
+        <xsd:choice maxOccurs="unbounded">
+          <xsd:element name="metadata">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" use="required" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="assembly">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:attribute name="alias" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="data">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+                <xsd:element name="comment" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="2" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="3" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="4" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="resheader">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+        </xsd:choice>
+      </xsd:complexType>
+    </xsd:element>
+  </xsd:schema>
+  <resheader name="resmimetype">
+    <value>text/microsoft-resx</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="version">
+    <value>2.0</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="reader">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="writer">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+</root>

CarManagerV3/Forms/SettingsForm.Designer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,268 @@
+namespace CarManagerV3.Forms
+{
+    partial class SettingsForm
+    {
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Required designer variable.
+        /// </summary>
+        private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Clean up any resources being used.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="disposing">true if managed resources should be disposed; otherwise, false.</param>
+        protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
+        {
+            if (disposing && (components != null))
+            {
+                components.Dispose();
+            }
+            base.Dispose(disposing);
+        }
+
+        #region Windows Form Designer generated code
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Required method for Designer support - do not modify
+        /// the contents of this method with the code editor.
+        /// </summary>
+        private void InitializeComponent()
+        {
+            System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager resources = new System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager(typeof(SettingsForm));
+            flowLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
+            label1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            label2 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            flowLayoutPanel2 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
+            btnAccept = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            btnDiscard = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            tableLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel();
+            lblDataLocation = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            tbxDataLocation = new System.Windows.Forms.TextBox();
+            cbxPreRelease = new System.Windows.Forms.CheckBox();
+            tableLayoutPanel2 = new System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel();
+            btnReset = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            flowLayoutPanel3 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
+            lblEnv = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            flowLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel2.SuspendLayout();
+            tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
+            tableLayoutPanel2.SuspendLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel3.SuspendLayout();
+            SuspendLayout();
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel1
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label1);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label2);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Top;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.TopDown;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowLayoutPanel1";
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(11, 13, 11, 13);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(499, 86);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0;
+            // 
+            // label1
+            // 
+            label1.AutoSize = true;
+            label1.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Segoe UI", 14F);
+            label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(14, 13);
+            label1.Name = "label1";
+            label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(100, 32);
+            label1.TabIndex = 2;
+            label1.Text = "Settings";
+            // 
+            // label2
+            // 
+            label2.AutoSize = true;
+            label2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(14, 45);
+            label2.Name = "label2";
+            label2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(276, 20);
+            label2.TabIndex = 3;
+            label2.Text = "Adjust settings related to Car Manager 3";
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel2
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(btnAccept);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(btnDiscard);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            flowLayoutPanel2.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.RightToLeft;
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(249, 30);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(0);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Name = "flowLayoutPanel2";
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(240, 44);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.TabIndex = 2;
+            // 
+            // btnAccept
+            // 
+            btnAccept.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Top | System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Right;
+            btnAccept.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(151, 4);
+            btnAccept.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
+            btnAccept.Name = "btnAccept";
+            btnAccept.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(86, 31);
+            btnAccept.TabIndex = 0;
+            btnAccept.Text = "Save";
+            btnAccept.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            btnAccept.Click += btnAccept_Click;
+            // 
+            // btnDiscard
+            // 
+            btnDiscard.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(59, 4);
+            btnDiscard.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
+            btnDiscard.Name = "btnDiscard";
+            btnDiscard.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(86, 31);
+            btnDiscard.TabIndex = 1;
+            btnDiscard.Text = "Discard";
+            btnDiscard.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            btnDiscard.Click += btnDiscard_Click;
+            // 
+            // tableLayoutPanel1
+            // 
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 2;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 100F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblDataLocation, 0, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(tbxDataLocation, 1, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(cbxPreRelease, 1, 1);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 86);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1";
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10, 0, 10, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 3;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(499, 531);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 3;
+            // 
+            // lblDataLocation
+            // 
+            lblDataLocation.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Left | System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Right;
+            lblDataLocation.AutoSize = true;
+            lblDataLocation.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 6);
+            lblDataLocation.Name = "lblDataLocation";
+            lblDataLocation.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(102, 20);
+            lblDataLocation.TabIndex = 0;
+            lblDataLocation.Text = "Data Location";
+            lblDataLocation.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleLeft;
+            // 
+            // tbxDataLocation
+            // 
+            tbxDataLocation.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            tbxDataLocation.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(121, 3);
+            tbxDataLocation.Name = "tbxDataLocation";
+            tbxDataLocation.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(365, 27);
+            tbxDataLocation.TabIndex = 1;
+            // 
+            // cbxPreRelease
+            // 
+            cbxPreRelease.AutoSize = true;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.SetColumnSpan(cbxPreRelease, 2);
+            cbxPreRelease.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 36);
+            cbxPreRelease.Name = "cbxPreRelease";
+            cbxPreRelease.RightToLeft = System.Windows.Forms.RightToLeft.Yes;
+            cbxPreRelease.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(164, 24);
+            cbxPreRelease.TabIndex = 3;
+            cbxPreRelease.Text = "Pre-Release channel";
+            cbxPreRelease.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            // 
+            // tableLayoutPanel2
+            // 
+            tableLayoutPanel2.AutoSize = true;
+            tableLayoutPanel2.ColumnCount = 2;
+            tableLayoutPanel2.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F));
+            tableLayoutPanel2.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F));
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel2, 1, 1);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(btnReset, 0, 1);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel3, 0, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Bottom;
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 543);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Name = "tableLayoutPanel2";
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10, 0, 10, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.RowCount = 2;
+            tableLayoutPanel2.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel2.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle());
+            tableLayoutPanel2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(499, 74);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.TabIndex = 4;
+            // 
+            // btnReset
+            // 
+            btnReset.AutoSize = true;
+            btnReset.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 33);
+            btnReset.Name = "btnReset";
+            btnReset.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(130, 30);
+            btnReset.TabIndex = 3;
+            btnReset.Text = "Revert to default";
+            btnReset.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            btnReset.Click += btnReset_Click;
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel3
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel3.AutoSize = true;
+            flowLayoutPanel3.AutoSizeMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoSizeMode.GrowAndShrink;
+            tableLayoutPanel2.SetColumnSpan(flowLayoutPanel3, 2);
+            flowLayoutPanel3.Controls.Add(lblEnv);
+            flowLayoutPanel3.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            flowLayoutPanel3.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 5);
+            flowLayoutPanel3.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(0, 5, 0, 5);
+            flowLayoutPanel3.Name = "flowLayoutPanel3";
+            flowLayoutPanel3.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(479, 20);
+            flowLayoutPanel3.TabIndex = 4;
+            // 
+            // lblEnv
+            // 
+            lblEnv.AutoSize = true;
+            lblEnv.ForeColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.GrayText;
+            lblEnv.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 0);
+            lblEnv.Name = "lblEnv";
+            lblEnv.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(131, 20);
+            lblEnv.TabIndex = 0;
+            lblEnv.Text = "Environment: %E%";
+            // 
+            // SettingsForm
+            // 
+            AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(8F, 20F);
+            AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
+            ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(499, 617);
+            Controls.Add(tableLayoutPanel2);
+            Controls.Add(tableLayoutPanel1);
+            Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel1);
+            FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedSingle;
+            Icon = (System.Drawing.Icon)resources.GetObject("$this.Icon");
+            MaximizeBox = false;
+            MinimizeBox = false;
+            Name = "SettingsForm";
+            Text = "Settings";
+            TopMost = true;
+            Load += SettingsForm_Load;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel2.ResumeLayout(false);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
+            tableLayoutPanel2.ResumeLayout(false);
+            tableLayoutPanel2.PerformLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel3.ResumeLayout(false);
+            flowLayoutPanel3.PerformLayout();
+            ResumeLayout(false);
+            PerformLayout();
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnAccept;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnDiscard;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel tableLayoutPanel1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label lblDataLocation;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.TextBox tbxDataLocation;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel tableLayoutPanel2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnReset;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.CheckBox cbxPreRelease;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel3;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label lblEnv;
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Forms/SettingsForm.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.ComponentModel;
+using System.Data;
+using System.Drawing;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+using CarManagerV3.Util;
+
+namespace CarManagerV3.Forms
+{
+    public partial class SettingsForm : Form
+    {
+        // Settings map (Maps settings to controls and default values + optional change event handler function that takes previous and new value)
+        private readonly Dictionary<string, ISettingBinding> settingsMap = new();
+
+        public SettingsForm()
+        {
+            InitializeComponent();
+            initializeSettingsMap();
+        }
+
+        private void initializeSettingsMap()
+        {
+            // Initialize the settings map with setting keys, associated controls, default values, and optional change event handlers
+            settingsMap["DataLocation"] =
+                new SettingBinding<string>(
+                    control: tbxDataLocation,
+                    defaultValue: Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData) + "\\CarManagerV3",
+                    read: () => Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation,          // strongly typed
+                    write: v => Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation = v,     // strongly typed
+                    onChange: (before, after) =>
+                    {
+                        // TODO: handle path change if needed
+                    });
+
+            settingsMap["AllowPrerelease"] =
+                new SettingBinding<bool>(
+                    control: cbxPreRelease,
+                    defaultValue: false,
+                    read: () => Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease,
+                    write: v => Properties.Settings.Default.AllowPrerelease = v);
+
+            lblEnv.Text = lblEnv.Text.Replace("%E%", InstallModeDetector.IsInstalledViaMsi() ? "Installed via MSI" : "Running in portable mode");
+
+        }
+
+        private void SettingsForm_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            loadSettings();
+        }
+
+        private void loadSettings()
+        {
+            foreach (var kvp in settingsMap)
+                kvp.Value.Load();
+        }
+
+        private void saveSettings()
+        {
+            foreach (var kvp in settingsMap)
+                kvp.Value.Save();
+
+            Properties.Settings.Default.Save();
+        }
+
+        private void resetSettings()
+        {
+            DialogResult confirmReset = MessageBox.Show(
+                "Are you sure you want to reset all settings to their default values? This action cannot be undone.",
+                "Confirm Reset",
+                MessageBoxButtons.YesNo,
+                MessageBoxIcon.Warning);
+
+            if (confirmReset != DialogResult.Yes)
+                return;
+
+            foreach (var kvp in settingsMap)
+                kvp.Value.Reset();
+
+            Properties.Settings.Default.Save();
+            loadSettings();
+        }
+
+        private void btnAccept_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            saveSettings();
+            this.Close();
+        }
+
+        private void btnDiscard_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            this.Close();
+        }
+
+        private void btnReset_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            resetSettings();
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal interface ISettingBinding
+    {
+        void Load();
+        void Save();
+        void Reset();
+    }
+
+    internal sealed class SettingBinding<T> : ISettingBinding
+    {
+        private readonly Control control;
+        private readonly T defaultValue;
+        private readonly Func<T> read;
+        private readonly Action<T> write;
+        private readonly Action<T, T>? onChange;
+
+        public SettingBinding(Control control, T defaultValue, Func<T> read, Action<T> write, Action<T, T>? onChange = null)
+        {
+            this.control = control;
+            this.defaultValue = defaultValue;
+            this.read = read;
+            this.write = write;
+            this.onChange = onChange;
+        }
+
+        public void Load()
+        {
+            T value = read();
+            ApplyToControl(value);
+        }
+
+        public void Save()
+        {
+            T before = read();
+            T after = ReadFromControl();
+
+            write(after);
+
+            if (onChange != null && !EqualityComparer<T>.Default.Equals(before, after))
+                onChange(before, after);
+        }
+
+        public void Reset() => write(defaultValue);
+
+        private void ApplyToControl(T value)
+        {
+            switch (control)
+            {
+                case TextBox tb:
+                    tb.Text = value?.ToString() ?? string.Empty;
+                    break;
+
+                case CheckBox cb:
+                    cb.Checked = value is bool b ? b : Convert.ToBoolean(value);
+                    break;
+
+                default:
+                    throw new NotSupportedException($"Control type '{control.GetType().Name}' not supported for {typeof(T).Name}.");
+            }
+        }
+
+        private T ReadFromControl()
+        {
+            object result = control switch
+            {
+                TextBox tb when typeof(T) == typeof(string) => tb.Text,
+                CheckBox cb when typeof(T) == typeof(bool) => cb.Checked,
+                _ => throw new NotSupportedException($"Cannot read {typeof(T).Name} from control type '{control.GetType().Name}'.")
+            };
+
+            return (T)result;
+        }
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Forms/UpdatePromptForm.Designer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+namespace CarManagerV3.Forms
+{
+    partial class UpdatePromptForm
+    {
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Required designer variable.
+        /// </summary>
+        private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Clean up any resources being used.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="disposing">true if managed resources should be disposed; otherwise, false.</param>
+        protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
+        {
+            if (disposing && (components != null))
+            {
+                components.Dispose();
+            }
+            base.Dispose(disposing);
+        }
+
+        #region Windows Form Designer generated code
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Required method for Designer support - do not modify
+        /// the contents of this method with the code editor.
+        /// </summary>
+        private void InitializeComponent()
+        {
+            flowLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            label2 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            lblInstalledVersion = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            lblLatestVersion = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            tableLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel();
+            flowLayoutPanel2 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
+            btnInstallUpdate = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            btnDismissUpdate = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            btnReadChangelog = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
+            flowLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
+            tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel2.SuspendLayout();
+            SuspendLayout();
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel1
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblUpdateTitleStatic);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label2);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblInstalledVersion);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblLatestVersion);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Top;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.TopDown;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 20);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowLayoutPanel1";
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(846, 125);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0;
+            // 
+            // lblUpdateTitleStatic
+            // 
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic.AutoSize = true;
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Segoe UI", 14F);
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 0);
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic.Name = "lblUpdateTitleStatic";
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(298, 32);
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic.TabIndex = 4;
+            lblUpdateTitleStatic.Text = "A new Version is Available!";
+            // 
+            // label2
+            // 
+            label2.AutoSize = true;
+            label2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 32);
+            label2.Name = "label2";
+            label2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(600, 20);
+            label2.TabIndex = 5;
+            label2.Text = "A new version of Car Manager 3 has been released. Update now to get the latest features.";
+            // 
+            // lblInstalledVersion
+            // 
+            lblInstalledVersion.AutoSize = true;
+            lblInstalledVersion.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 57);
+            lblInstalledVersion.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 5, 3, 0);
+            lblInstalledVersion.Name = "lblInstalledVersion";
+            lblInstalledVersion.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(123, 20);
+            lblInstalledVersion.TabIndex = 6;
+            lblInstalledVersion.Text = "Your version: ?.?.?";
+            // 
+            // lblLatestVersion
+            // 
+            lblLatestVersion.AutoSize = true;
+            lblLatestVersion.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Segoe UI", 9F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Bold);
+            lblLatestVersion.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 77);
+            lblLatestVersion.Name = "lblLatestVersion";
+            lblLatestVersion.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(144, 20);
+            lblLatestVersion.TabIndex = 7;
+            lblLatestVersion.Text = "Latest version: ?.?.?";
+            // 
+            // tableLayoutPanel1
+            // 
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 2;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel2, 1, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(btnReadChangelog, 0, 0);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Bottom;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 393);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1";
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 1;
+            tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F));
+            tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(846, 47);
+            tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 1;
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel2
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(btnInstallUpdate);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Controls.Add(btnDismissUpdate);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
+            flowLayoutPanel2.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.RightToLeft;
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(423, 0);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(0);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Name = "flowLayoutPanel2";
+            flowLayoutPanel2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(423, 47);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.TabIndex = 0;
+            // 
+            // btnInstallUpdate
+            // 
+            btnInstallUpdate.AutoSize = true;
+            btnInstallUpdate.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(320, 3);
+            btnInstallUpdate.Name = "btnInstallUpdate";
+            btnInstallUpdate.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(100, 30);
+            btnInstallUpdate.TabIndex = 0;
+            btnInstallUpdate.Text = "Update now";
+            btnInstallUpdate.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            btnInstallUpdate.Click += btnInstallUpdate_Click;
+            // 
+            // btnDismissUpdate
+            // 
+            btnDismissUpdate.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(220, 3);
+            btnDismissUpdate.Name = "btnDismissUpdate";
+            btnDismissUpdate.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(94, 29);
+            btnDismissUpdate.TabIndex = 1;
+            btnDismissUpdate.Text = "Dismiss";
+            btnDismissUpdate.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            btnDismissUpdate.Click += btnDismissUpdate_Click;
+            // 
+            // btnReadChangelog
+            // 
+            btnReadChangelog.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 3);
+            btnReadChangelog.Name = "btnReadChangelog";
+            btnReadChangelog.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(94, 29);
+            btnReadChangelog.TabIndex = 1;
+            btnReadChangelog.Text = "Changelog";
+            btnReadChangelog.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            btnReadChangelog.Click += btnReadChangelog_Click;
+            // 
+            // UpdatePromptForm
+            // 
+            AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(8F, 20F);
+            AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
+            ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(866, 450);
+            Controls.Add(tableLayoutPanel1);
+            Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel1);
+            FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedDialog;
+            MaximizeBox = false;
+            MinimizeBox = false;
+            Name = "UpdatePromptForm";
+            Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10, 20, 10, 10);
+            Text = "Update Car Manager 3";
+            TopMost = true;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
+            tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.ResumeLayout(false);
+            flowLayoutPanel2.PerformLayout();
+            ResumeLayout(false);
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label lblUpdateTitleStatic;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label lblInstalledVersion;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label lblLatestVersion;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel tableLayoutPanel1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnInstallUpdate;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnDismissUpdate;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Button btnReadChangelog;
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Forms/UpdatePromptForm.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.ComponentModel;
+using System.Data;
+using System.Drawing;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+using CarManagerV3.Manager;
+
+namespace CarManagerV3.Forms
+{
+    public partial class UpdatePromptForm : Form
+    {
+        public UpdatePromptForm(string currentVersion, string latestVersion)
+        {
+            InitializeComponent();
+            lblInstalledVersion.Text = lblInstalledVersion.Text.Replace("?.?.?", currentVersion);
+            lblLatestVersion.Text = lblLatestVersion.Text.Replace("?.?.?", latestVersion);
+            if (Updater.IsLatestVersionPrerelease())
+            {
+                lblLatestVersion.Text += " (Pre-release)";
+            }
+
+        }
+
+        private void btnDismissUpdate_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            this.Close();
+        }
+
+        private void btnInstallUpdate_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            PleaseWait loadForm = new PleaseWait("Downloading the newest version...");
+            try
+            {
+                this.Enabled = false;
+                loadForm.Show();
+                Application.DoEvents();
+                //return;
+                Updater.DownloadNewestInstaller();
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                MessageBox.Show("An error occurred while trying to download the update: " + ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
+            }
+            this.Enabled = true;
+            loadForm.Close();
+            this.Close();
+
+        }
+
+        private void btnReadChangelog_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {
+            Updater.OpenReleasePage();
+        }
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Forms/UpdatePromptForm.resx

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<root>
+  <!--
+    Microsoft ResX Schema
+
+    Version 2.0
+
+    The primary goals of this format is to allow a simple XML format
+    that is mostly human readable. The generation and parsing of the
+    various data types are done through the TypeConverter classes
+    associated with the data types.
+
+    Example:
+
+    ... ado.net/XML headers & schema ...
+    <resheader name="resmimetype">text/microsoft-resx</resheader>
+    <resheader name="version">2.0</resheader>
+    <resheader name="reader">System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <resheader name="writer">System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <data name="Name1"><value>this is my long string</value><comment>this is a comment</comment></data>
+    <data name="Color1" type="System.Drawing.Color, System.Drawing">Blue</data>
+    <data name="Bitmap1" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded serialized .NET Framework object]</value>
+    </data>
+    <data name="Icon1" type="System.Drawing.Icon, System.Drawing" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded string representing a byte array form of the .NET Framework object]</value>
+        <comment>This is a comment</comment>
+    </data>
+
+    There are any number of "resheader" rows that contain simple
+    name/value pairs.
+
+    Each data row contains a name, and value. The row also contains a
+    type or mimetype. Type corresponds to a .NET class that support
+    text/value conversion through the TypeConverter architecture.
+    Classes that don't support this are serialized and stored with the
+    mimetype set.
+
+    The mimetype is used for serialized objects, and tells the
+    ResXResourceReader how to depersist the object. This is currently not
+    extensible. For a given mimetype the value must be set accordingly:
+
+    Note - application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64 is the format
+    that the ResXResourceWriter will generate, however the reader can
+    read any of the formats listed below.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.soap.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Soap.SoapFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized into a byte array
+            : using a System.ComponentModel.TypeConverter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+    -->
+  <xsd:schema id="root" xmlns="" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:msdata="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xml-msdata">
+    <xsd:import namespace="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" />
+    <xsd:element name="root" msdata:IsDataSet="true">
+      <xsd:complexType>
+        <xsd:choice maxOccurs="unbounded">
+          <xsd:element name="metadata">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" use="required" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="assembly">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:attribute name="alias" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="data">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+                <xsd:element name="comment" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="2" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="3" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="4" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="resheader">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+        </xsd:choice>
+      </xsd:complexType>
+    </xsd:element>
+  </xsd:schema>
+  <resheader name="resmimetype">
+    <value>text/microsoft-resx</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="version">
+    <value>2.0</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="reader">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="writer">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+</root>

CarManagerV3/Forms/Util/PleaseWait.Designer.cs

@@ -28,65 +28,90 @@
         /// </summary>
         private void InitializeComponent()
         {
-            this.progressBar1 = new System.Windows.Forms.ProgressBar();
+            label1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
-            this.label1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            lblContent = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
-            this.label2 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
+            animatedProgressBar1 = new AnimatedProgressBar();
-            this.SuspendLayout();
+            flowLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel();
-            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
-            // progressBar1
+            SuspendLayout();
-            // 
-            this.progressBar1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 62);
-            this.progressBar1.Name = "progressBar1";
-            this.progressBar1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(422, 23);
-            this.progressBar1.Style = System.Windows.Forms.ProgressBarStyle.Marquee;
-            this.progressBar1.TabIndex = 0;
-            this.progressBar1.Click += new System.EventHandler(this.progressBar1_Click);
             // 
             // label1
             // 
-            this.label1.AutoSize = true;
+            label1.AutoSize = true;
-            this.label1.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Microsoft Sans Serif", 10.2F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Bold, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, ((byte)(0)));
+            label1.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Microsoft Sans Serif", 12F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Bold, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, 0);
-            this.label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 13);
+            label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 10);
-            this.label1.Name = "label1";
+            label1.Name = "label1";
-            this.label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(121, 20);
+            label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(140, 25);
-            this.label1.TabIndex = 1;
+            label1.TabIndex = 1;
-            this.label1.Text = "Please wait...";
+            label1.Text = "Please wait...";
+            label1.UseWaitCursor = true;
             // 
-            // label2
+            // lblContent
             // 
-            this.label2.AutoSize = true;
+            lblContent.AutoSize = true;
-            this.label2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 33);
+            lblContent.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 40);
-            this.label2.Name = "label2";
+            lblContent.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 5, 3, 10);
-            this.label2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(133, 16);
+            lblContent.Name = "lblContent";
-            this.label2.TabIndex = 2;
+            lblContent.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(144, 20);
-            this.label2.Text = "Saving your changes";
+            lblContent.TabIndex = 2;
+            lblContent.Text = "Saving your changes";
+            lblContent.UseWaitCursor = true;
+            // 
+            // animatedProgressBar1
+            // 
+            animatedProgressBar1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 73);
+            animatedProgressBar1.Name = "animatedProgressBar1";
+            animatedProgressBar1.PrimaryColor = System.Drawing.Color.FromArgb(0, 120, 215);
+            animatedProgressBar1.ProgressBackColor = System.Drawing.Color.FromArgb(240, 240, 240);
+            animatedProgressBar1.SecondaryColor = System.Drawing.Color.FromArgb(100, 180, 255);
+            animatedProgressBar1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(408, 22);
+            animatedProgressBar1.TabIndex = 3;
+            animatedProgressBar1.UseWaitCursor = true;
+            // 
+            // flowLayoutPanel1
+            // 
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Top | System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.Bottom;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label1);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(lblContent);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(animatedProgressBar1);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = System.Windows.Forms.FlowDirection.TopDown;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowLayoutPanel1";
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(437, 153);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 4;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.UseWaitCursor = true;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.WrapContents = false;
             // 
             // PleaseWait
             // 
-            this.AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(8F, 16F);
+            AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(8F, 20F);
-            this.AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
+            AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
-            this.AutoSize = true;
+            AutoSize = true;
-            this.ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(446, 97);
+            ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(437, 153);
-            this.ControlBox = false;
+            ControlBox = false;
-            this.Controls.Add(this.label2);
+            Controls.Add(flowLayoutPanel1);
-            this.Controls.Add(this.label1);
+            FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedDialog;
-            this.Controls.Add(this.progressBar1);
+            Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(3, 4, 3, 4);
-            this.FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedDialog;
+            MaximizeBox = false;
-            this.MaximizeBox = false;
+            MinimizeBox = false;
-            this.MinimizeBox = false;
+            Name = "PleaseWait";
-            this.Name = "PleaseWait";
+            ShowIcon = false;
-            this.ShowIcon = false;
+            ShowInTaskbar = false;
-            this.ShowInTaskbar = false;
+            StartPosition = System.Windows.Forms.FormStartPosition.CenterParent;
-            this.Text = "Please Wait";
+            Text = "Please Wait";
-            this.ResumeLayout(false);
+            TopMost = true;
-            this.PerformLayout();
+            UseWaitCursor = true;
+            flowLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
+            flowLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
+            ResumeLayout(false);
 
         }
 
         #endregion
-
-        private System.Windows.Forms.ProgressBar progressBar1;
         private System.Windows.Forms.Label label1;
-        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label2;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.Label lblContent;
+        private AnimatedProgressBar animatedProgressBar1;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel1;
     }
 }

CarManagerV3/Forms/Util/PleaseWait.cs

@@ -5,12 +5,18 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
 {
     public partial class PleaseWait : Form
     {
-        public PleaseWait()
+        public PleaseWait(string content = "Saving your changes...")
         {
             InitializeComponent();
+
+            this.SetStyle(ControlStyles.OptimizedDoubleBuffer |
+                         ControlStyles.AllPaintingInWmPaint |
+                         ControlStyles.UserPaint, true);
+
             // loading animation
-            progressBar1.Style = ProgressBarStyle.Marquee;
+            animatedProgressBar1.StartAnimation();
-            progressBar1.MarqueeAnimationSpeed = 30;
+            lblContent.Text = content;
+
 
         }
 

CarManagerV3/Manager/ImageManager.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 using System;
 using System.Drawing;
+using System.Net;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+using CarManagerV3.Forms;
 
 namespace CarManagerV3
 {
@@ -9,13 +12,16 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
     internal class ImageManager
     {
 
-        private static string _imagePath = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData) + "\\CarManagerV3\\images";
+        private static string _imagePath = Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation + "\\images";
+        private static NetworkCredential myNetCred = null;
+        private static bool disableImageFetch = false;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Initializes the image folder by creating it if it does not exist.
         /// </summary>
         public static void InitializeImageFolder()
         {
+            _imagePath = Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation + "\\images";
             string path = _imagePath;
             
             if (!System.IO.Directory.Exists(path))
@@ -34,6 +40,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         /// <returns>The image path for this Car.</returns>
         public static string GetImagePath(Car car)
         {
+            _imagePath = Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation + "\\images";
             string basePath = $"{_imagePath}/";
             string fileName = $"{car.Make}_{car.Model}_{car.Year}_{car.Color}.png";
             return basePath + fileName;
@@ -88,17 +95,63 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
             {
                 return;
             }
+            if (disableImageFetch) return;
             string url = $"https://cdn.imagin.studio/getimage?customer=hrjavascript-mastery&zoomType=fullscreen&make={car.Make}&modelFamily={car.Model}&modelYear={car.Year}&angle=front&paintDescription={car.Color}&fileType=png";
             //add Referer header to avoid 403 error
             using (var client = new System.Net.WebClient())
             {
                 client.Headers.Add("Referer", "http://localhost");
+                
                 try
                 {
+                    client.Credentials = myNetCred;
+                    client.Proxy.Credentials = myNetCred;
+                    //DEBUG:: if (myNetCred == null) throw new WebException();
                     client.DownloadFile(url, path);
                 }
-                catch 
+                catch (WebException ex)
                 {
+                    // is status code 407?
+                    //if (ex.Response is HttpWebResponse response && response.StatusCode == HttpStatusCode.ProxyAuthenticationRequired)
+                    //{
+                    //    Console.Error.WriteLine("Proxy authentication required. Prompting for credentials.");
+                    //}
+
+                    if (myNetCred != null)
+                    {
+                        DialogResult disableImgDialogRetry = MessageBox.Show("Something went wrong when fetching images. Are you credentials correct? Do you want to disable Image fetching for this session or rety with different credentials?", "Invalid Credentials", MessageBoxButtons.RetryCancel, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
+                        if(disableImgDialogRetry == DialogResult.Cancel)
+                        {
+                            disableImageFetch = true;
+                            return;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    NetCredentials netCredForm = new NetCredentials();
+                    DialogResult dialogRes = netCredForm.ShowDialog();
+                    netCredForm.BringToFront();
+                    netCredForm.Focus();
+                    if (dialogRes == DialogResult.OK)
+                    {
+                        NetworkCredential netcred = netCredForm.GetCredentails();
+                        myNetCred = netcred;
+                        FetchImage(car);
+                        return;
+                    } else
+                    {
+                        DialogResult disableImgDialog = MessageBox.Show("Do you want to disable image fetching for this session?", "Disable Image fetching?", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo, MessageBoxIcon.Question);
+                        if(disableImgDialog == DialogResult.Yes)
+                        {
+                            disableImageFetch = true;
+                        } else
+                        {
+                            FetchImage(car);
+                            return;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    Console.Error.WriteLine(ex.Message);
                     // if error, use fallback image no_image_available.png
                     //System.IO.File.Copy($"{_imagePath}/no_image_available.png", path);
                 }

CarManagerV3/Manager/SafeManager.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         /// <summary>
         /// The path of the txt file that contains recently opened file paths.
         /// </summary>
-        private static readonly string recentPathsFile = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData) + "\\CarManagerV3\\recent_paths.txt";
+        private static string recentPathsFile = Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation + "\\recent_paths.txt";
 
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -46,16 +46,17 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         /// Initializes a file and its parent folders at a specified path if they do not already exist.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="path">The path of the file.</param>
-        public static void initializeFileAndFolders(string path)
+        public static void initializeFileAndFolders(string path, bool folderOnly = false)
         {
             try
             {
-                string directory = Path.GetDirectoryName(path);
+                //string directory = Path.GetDirectoryName(path);
-                if (!Directory.Exists(directory))
+                Console.WriteLine($"Initializing file and folders for path: {path}");
+                if (!Directory.Exists(path))
                 {
-                    Directory.CreateDirectory(directory);
+                    Directory.CreateDirectory(path);
                 }
-                InitializeFile(path);
+                if(!folderOnly) InitializeFile(path);
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
@@ -204,6 +205,7 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
             List<string> paths = new List<string>();
             try
             {
+                recentPathsFile = Properties.Settings.Default.DataLocation + "\\recent_paths.txt";
                 initializeFileAndFolders(recentPathsFile);
                 if (File.Exists(recentPathsFile)) //TODO: Remove
                 {

CarManagerV3/Manager/Updater.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Reflection;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Text.Encodings.Web;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+
+namespace CarManagerV3.Manager
+{
+    internal class Updater
+    {
+
+        private static readonly string GitApiUrl = "https://git.jaro.digital/api/v1";
+        private static readonly string GitRepoOwner = "frozd";
+        private static readonly string GitRepoName = "carmanager-3";
+        private static readonly string GitApiRepoUrl = $"{GitApiUrl}/repos/{GitRepoOwner}/{GitRepoName}";
+        private static readonly string LatestReleaseEndpoint = $"{GitApiRepoUrl}/releases/latest";
+        private static readonly string PreReleaseEndpoint = $"{GitApiRepoUrl}/releases?limit=1&pre-release=true";
+        private static string latestVersionCache = null;
+        private static DateTime lastChecked = DateTime.MinValue;
+        private static readonly int CacheDurationMinutes = 60;
+        private static bool cacheIncludesPrerelease = false;
+        private static readonly string debugVersion = null;//"1.2.0";
+        private static bool isLatestVersionPrerelease = false;
+
+        public static string GetCurrentVersion(bool cutTrailingZeros = false)
+        {
+            //DEBUG::
+            if (debugVersion != null)
+            {
+                return debugVersion;
+            }
+
+            var asm = Assembly.GetEntryAssembly()!;
+            Version v = asm.GetName().Version ?? new Version(0, 0, 0, 0);
+            string VersionString = v.ToString();
+            if(cutTrailingZeros)
+            {
+                // Remove trailing .0 parts
+                while (VersionString.EndsWith(".0"))
+                {
+                    VersionString = VersionString.Substring(0, VersionString.Length - 2);
+                }
+                return VersionString;
+            }
+            return VersionString;
+        }
+
+        private static bool IsCacheValid(bool includePreRelease = false)
+        {
+            return includePreRelease == cacheIncludesPrerelease && latestVersionCache != null && (DateTime.Now - lastChecked).TotalMinutes < CacheDurationMinutes;
+        }
+
+        private static void InvalidateCache()
+        {
+            latestVersionCache = null;
+            lastChecked = DateTime.MinValue;
+        }
+
+        private static void SetCache(string version, bool includePreRelease = false)
+        {
+            latestVersionCache = version;
+            cacheIncludesPrerelease = includePreRelease;
+            lastChecked = DateTime.Now;
+        }
+
+
+        public static string GetLatestVersion(bool includePreRelease = false)
+        {
+            if (IsCacheValid(includePreRelease))
+            {
+                System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("Using cached latest version: " + latestVersionCache);
+                return latestVersionCache;
+            }
+            string latestVersion = null;
+            // Get the latest stable version first
+            using (var client = new System.Net.Http.HttpClient())
+            {
+                var response = client.GetAsync(LatestReleaseEndpoint).Result;
+                if (response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+                {
+                    var content = response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync().Result;
+                    dynamic release = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(content);
+                    latestVersion = release.tag_name;
+                    isLatestVersionPrerelease = false;
+                }
+            }
+            // If pre-release is requested, check for the latest pre-release version
+            if (includePreRelease)
+            {
+                using (var client = new System.Net.Http.HttpClient())
+                {
+                    UrlEncoder encoder = System.Text.Encodings.Web.UrlEncoder.Default;
+                    var response = client.GetAsync(PreReleaseEndpoint).Result;
+                    if (response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+                    {
+                        
+                        var content = response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync().Result;
+                        dynamic releases = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(content);
+                        //System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("Fetched pre-release versions, count: " + releases.Count);
+                        if (releases.Count > 0)
+                        {
+                            var preReleaseVersion = releases[0].tag_name.ToString();
+                            //System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("Latest unstable version: " + preReleaseVersion);
+                            
+                            // Compare versions and return the newer one
+                            if (IsNewerVersion(preReleaseVersion, latestVersion))
+                            {
+                                latestVersion = preReleaseVersion;
+                                isLatestVersionPrerelease = true;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("Failed to fetch pre-release versions, status code: " + response.StatusCode + " at: " + PreReleaseEndpoint);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            SetCache(latestVersion, includePreRelease);
+            return latestVersion;
+
+        }
+
+        public static bool IsNewerVersion(string versionA, string versionB)
+        {
+            if (versionA == null) return false;
+            if (versionB == null) return true;
+            Version vA = new Version(versionA.TrimStart('v'));
+            Version vB = new Version(versionB.TrimStart('v'));
+            return vA > vB;
+        }
+
+
+        public static void DownloadNewestInstaller(bool includePreRelease = false)
+        {
+            string latestVersion = GetLatestVersion(includePreRelease);
+            if (latestVersion == null)
+            {
+                throw new Exception("Could not fetch latest version from Git API.");
+            }
+
+            string releaseUrl = $"{GitApiRepoUrl}/releases/tags/{latestVersion}";
+            using (var client = new System.Net.Http.HttpClient())
+            {
+                var response = client.GetAsync(releaseUrl).Result;
+                if (response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+                {
+                    var content = response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync().Result;
+                    dynamic release = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(content);
+                    string downloadUrl = null;
+                    foreach (var asset in release.assets)
+                    {
+                        // file that ends with .msi
+                        if (asset.name.ToString().EndsWith(".msi"))
+                        {
+                            downloadUrl = asset.browser_download_url;
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    if (downloadUrl != null)
+                    {
+
+
+                        // Download the installer to the users set Data dir, run it, and then exit the application.
+                        string tempFilePath = System.IO.Path.Combine(System.IO.Path.GetTempPath(), $"CarManagerInstaller_{latestVersion}.msi");
+                        using (var downloadClient = new System.Net.WebClient())
+                        {
+                            downloadClient.DownloadFile(downloadUrl, tempFilePath);
+                        }
+                        // Use ProcessStartInfo with UseShellExecute to launch the MSI file
+                        var processStartInfo = new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo
+                        {
+                            FileName = tempFilePath,
+                            UseShellExecute = true
+                        };
+                        System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(processStartInfo);
+
+
+                        Application.Exit();
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        throw new Exception("Could not find installer asset in the latest release.");
+                    }
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    throw new Exception("Could not fetch release information from Git API.");
+
+                }
+
+            }
+        }
+
+        public static bool IsUpdateAvailable(bool includePreRelease = false)
+        {
+            string currentVersion = GetCurrentVersion();
+            string latestVersion = GetLatestVersion(includePreRelease);
+            return IsNewerVersion(latestVersion, currentVersion);
+        }
+
+        public static void OpenReleasePage(string version = null)
+        {
+            if (version == null)
+            {
+                version = GetLatestVersion(true);
+            }
+            string releaseUrl = $"https://git.jaro.digital/{GitRepoOwner}/{GitRepoName}/releases/tag/{version}";
+            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo
+            {
+                FileName = releaseUrl,
+                UseShellExecute = true
+            });
+        }
+
+        public static bool IsLatestVersionPrerelease()
+        {
+            // Ensure we have the latest version info in cache
+            return isLatestVersionPrerelease;
+        }
+    }
+}

CarManagerV3/Program.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System;
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Windows.Forms;
 
 namespace CarManagerV3
@@ -9,11 +10,13 @@ namespace CarManagerV3
         /// The main entry point for the application.
         /// </summary>
         [STAThread]
-        static void Main()
+        static void Main(string[] args)
         {
+            string pathToOpen = null;
+            if (args.Length > 0) pathToOpen = args[0];
             Application.EnableVisualStyles();
             Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
-            Application.Run(new MainForm());
+            Application.Run(new MainForm(pathToOpen));
         }
     }
 }

CarManagerV3/Properties/Settings.Designer.cs

@@ -22,5 +22,29 @@ namespace CarManagerV3.Properties {
                 return defaultInstance;
             }
         }
+        
+        [global::System.Configuration.UserScopedSettingAttribute()]
+        [global::System.Diagnostics.DebuggerNonUserCodeAttribute()]
+        [global::System.Configuration.DefaultSettingValueAttribute("")]
+        public string DataLocation {
+            get {
+                return ((string)(this["DataLocation"]));
+            }
+            set {
+                this["DataLocation"] = value;
+            }
+        }
+        
+        [global::System.Configuration.UserScopedSettingAttribute()]
+        [global::System.Diagnostics.DebuggerNonUserCodeAttribute()]
+        [global::System.Configuration.DefaultSettingValueAttribute("False")]
+        public bool AllowPrerelease {
+            get {
+                return ((bool)(this["AllowPrerelease"]));
+            }
+            set {
+                this["AllowPrerelease"] = value;
+            }
+        }
     }
 }

CarManagerV3/Properties/Settings.settings

@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 <?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
-<SettingsFile xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/2004/01/settings" CurrentProfile="(Default)">
+<SettingsFile xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/2004/01/settings" CurrentProfile="(Default)" GeneratedClassNamespace="CarManagerV3.Properties" GeneratedClassName="Settings">
-  <Profiles>
+  <Profiles />
-    <Profile Name="(Default)" />
+  <Settings>
-  </Profiles>
+    <Setting Name="DataLocation" Type="System.String" Scope="User">
-  <Settings />
+      <Value Profile="(Default)" />
+    </Setting>
+    <Setting Name="AllowPrerelease" Type="System.Boolean" Scope="User">
+      <Value Profile="(Default)">False</Value>
+    </Setting>
+  </Settings>
 </SettingsFile>

CarManagerV3/Properties/launchSettings.json

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+  "profiles": {
+    "CarManagerV3": {
+      "commandName": "Project"
+    }
+  }
+}

CarManagerV3/Util/InstallModeDetector.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+using Microsoft.Win32;
+
+namespace CarManagerV3.Util
+{
+    public static class InstallModeDetector
+    {
+        private const string _keyPath = @"Software\Jaro Digital\CarManager3";
+        private const string KeyPath = _keyPath;
+        private const string ValueName = "InstallType";
+
+        public static bool IsInstalledViaMsi()
+        {
+            // Prefer HKLM if your MSI is per-machine; fallback to HKCU if per-user.
+            System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine($"Checking registry for install type at HKLM\\{KeyPath} and HKCU\\{KeyPath}");
+            object? val =
+                Registry.GetValue($@"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\{KeyPath}", ValueName, null)
+                ?? Registry.GetValue($@"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\{KeyPath}", ValueName, null);
+
+            return val is string s && string.Equals(s, "MSI", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        }
+
+        public static bool IsPortable() => !IsInstalledViaMsi();
+
+        public static string GetInstallType()
+        {
+            object? val =
+                Registry.GetValue($@"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\{KeyPath}", ValueName, null)
+                ?? Registry.GetValue($@"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\{KeyPath}", ValueName, null);
+            return val as string ?? "Unknown";
+        }
+    }
+}

README.md

@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+
+![Logo](https://static.clsw.app/brands/carmgm/Logo/CarMgm_Logo@0.5.png "Logo")
+
+
 # Car Manager 3
 
 This is a simple school project in C# - Honestly you shouldn't be looking at this if you don't know me.