Helmut4 Client

The purpose of this guide is to assist you in upgrading the Helmut4 client to a newer version.

Updating the client is generally straightforward. On Windows, an uninstaller is available, which removes the client and the Helmut4-related extensions.

We recommend running the uninstaller (Windows) or manually deleting the client (macOS) in the first place, before installing the new one. Please refer as well to: Optional update script for central client distribution

Running the new client installer defaults to updating the client and the Adobe-Helmut4 extensions.

It is important to note that when updating Helmut4 and Adobe simultaneously, Adobe applications should be updated first; otherwise, the extensions will not be available.

For further information, please consult the supported Adobe versions or Helmut4 client tech specs.

Update procedure till version 4.7 and earlier

Consider to update the Helmut4 client on every workstation in advance.

Note: Updating the Helmut4 server first may lead to compatibility issues, as the client might lack certain dependencies introduced as part of new features or changes.

Update procedure from version 4.7 and earlier to version 4.8 and newer

As a result of the underlaying java framework update, pre-populating the client in advance is not feasible, as the client version 4.8 and newer is incompatible with earlier versions. This also applies vice versa: a client version 4.7 and earlier cannot be utilized with a server version 4.8 and newer.

Autologin file

Due to a change in the length of security keys, it is necessary for ALL autologin files to be replaced with newly created ones.

These new files need to be generated after the server has been updated to the desired version, such as version 4.8.0.

Helmut4: Server vs client version

Every stable/snapshot release has a dedicated client. The specific client version for the server can be found on the admin webpage or via API/URL.

For more details, please refer to the following link: Request Helmut4 client via URL.

If you'd like to obtain it ahead of time, please don't hesitate to submit a ticket.

Optional update script for central client distribution

When updating the server, it is essential to also update the client application. The dedicated client includes release-related changes as well as panel extensions used within Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.

We strongly recommend performing a clean uninstall of the client for both Windows and Mac.

Please refer to Helmut4 Panel Extensions for the names of the latest and deprecated extensions.

Below are two (optional) scripts that might assist you with this procedure when deploying the client with a software deployment system:

Windows Script

This batch script will silently uninstall and then reinstall the Helmut4 client.

@echo off
:: Helmut Client Silent Installation Script
:: Purpose: Automates the uninstallation of previous versions and installation of Helmut Client

:: MoovIT - B. Dimmel
:: Version 4.2
:: Date: Apr 4th 2023

:: Changelog: Nov 6th 2025
:: Major Features Due To Refactoring:
:: - Automatic version detection from server
:: - Silent uninstallation of previous versions
:: - Cleanup of Adobe extensions and temporary files
:: - Installation of new client version
:: - Automatic startup configuration

color 1F

:: Configuration Variables
:: ---------------------
:: Local folder path for Helmut4 client installer
set "helmutpath=C:\temp\helmut4"

:: Helmut4 server address (IP or DNS name only, no protocol or slashes)
set "helmut4-server=192.168.122.220"

:: Default client version (will be updated automatically if server is accessible)
set "clientversion=4.9.0"

:: Check for existing installer
if exist "%helmutpath%\Helmut_Client_Setup_%clientversion%.exe" (
    echo Found existing Helmut4 client installer
    echo.
    goto terminateH4process
) else (
    echo Helmut4 client installer not found - attempting download
    echo.
    goto downloadClient
)

:downloadClient
:: Auto-detect server version and protocol
:: Tests both HTTP and HTTPS to determine available protocol
set baseUrl=%helmut4-server%/v1/license/version

rem Function to test a URL and capture the response
set "protocol=http"
for %%p in (http https) do (
    for /f "tokens=*" %%i in ('powershell -Command "try { (Invoke-WebRequest -Uri '%%p://%baseUrl%' -UseBasicParsing -TimeoutSec 5).StatusCode } catch { '' }"') do (
        if %%i==200 (
            set "protocol=%%p"
            goto :found
        )
    )
)
echo.
echo Error: Unable to detect Helmut4 server version!
exit /b

:found
:: Retrieve current version from server
for /f "usebackq tokens=*" %%i in (`powershell -Command "(Invoke-WebRequest -Uri '%protocol%://%baseUrl%' -UseBasicParsing).Content | ConvertFrom-Json | Select-Object -ExpandProperty version"`) do (
    set clientversion=%%i
)
echo Detected Helmut4 version %clientversion% using %protocol%
echo.

:: Download client installer
set "downloadurl=%protocol%://%helmut4-server%/v1/client/Helmut_Client_Setup_%clientversion%.exe"
if not exist "%helmutpath%" mkdir "%helmutpath%"
::Downloading client installer via bitsadmin
bitsadmin /transfer "Download of Helmut4 client: v%clientversion%" /download /priority foreground "%downloadurl%" "%helmutpath%\Helmut_Client_Setup_%clientversion%.exe"

if not exist "%helmutpath%\Helmut_Client_Setup_%clientversion%.exe" (
    echo Error: Download failed, exiting script!
    exit /b
)
echo Client download completed successfully
echo.

:terminateH4process
:: Stop all running instances of Helmut4
:: Handles both legacy (pre-4.8.0) and current versions
taskkill /F /T /IM "javaw.exe" >nul 2>&1
timeout /t 2 >nul 2>&1
taskkill /F /T /IM "Helmut4.exe" >nul 2>&1
echo Terminated existing Helmut4 processes
echo.

:: Uninstall existing Helmut4 installation
if exist "C:\Program Files\MoovIT GmbH\Helmut4\Uninstall Helmut4.exe" (
    cd /d "C:\Program Files\MoovIT GmbH\Helmut4"
    echo Uninstalling previous Helmut4 version...
    echo.
    start /wait "" "C:\Program Files\MoovIT GmbH\Helmut4\Uninstall Helmut4.exe" /S
    timeout /t 40 /nobreak >nul

    echo Helmut4 client uninstalled.
) else (
    echo No existing Helmut4 installation found
)
rd /s /q "C:\Program Files\MoovIT GmbH\Helmut4"
echo.

:removeExtensions
:: Clean up extension directories and temporary files
echo Removing extension directories and cache...
set "extensions=de.moovit.AME_WS de.moovit.HELMUT de.moovit.HELMUT_ADOBE_INVISIBLE_PANEL de.moovit.HELMUT_ADOBE_WINDOW_EXTENSION de.moovit.PREMIERE_WS Helmut4"
set "extensions_path=C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions"
for %%e in (%extensions%) do (
    Rmdir /S /Q "%extensions_path%\%%e" 2>nul
)

:: Clean up user-specific temporary files
for /D %%D in (C:\Users\*) do (
    del "%%D\AppData\Local\Temp\stream-engine-4*.jar" /F /Q 2>nul
    if exist "%%D\AppData\Local\Temp\cep_cache" (
        forfiles /P "%%D\AppData\Local\Temp\cep_cache" /M *_de.moovit.* /C "cmd /c if @isdir==TRUE rmdir /s /q @file" 2>nul
        forfiles /P "%%D\AppData\Local\Temp\cep_cache" /M *Helmut* /C "cmd /c if @isdir==TRUE rmdir /s /q @file" 2>nul
    )
)
echo.
echo Adobe extensions and temporary files have been deleted.
echo.

:: Install new Helmut4 Client
echo Installing Helmut4 client v%clientversion% ...
cd /d "%helmutpath%"
start /wait "" "%helmutpath%\Helmut_Client_Setup_%clientversion%.exe" /S
timeout /t 30 /nobreak >nul

:: Check if client has been installed properly
if exist "C:\Program Files\MoovIT GmbH\Helmut4\Helmut4.exe" (
    echo.
    ) else (
    echo Error during installation - Helmut4.exe is missing!
    exit /b
)

:: Configure auto-start
echo.
echo Configuring automatic startup...
echo.
robocopy "C:\Users\Public\Desktop" "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp" Helmut4.lnk /is >nul 2>&1
del /f "C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Helmut4.lnk" >nul 2>&1

echo.
echo Helmut4 Client has been installed successfully.
echo.

:: Wait for installation to complete
timeout /t 5 /nobreak >nul

:: Launch Helmut4 client in detached mode
start "" cmd /c "start "" "C:\Program Files\MoovIT GmbH\Helmut4\Helmut4.exe" & exit"

exit /b

macOS Script

This shell script is designed to uninstall the Helmut4 application along with its dedicated extensions, followed by the installation of the Helmut4 client.

#!/bin/bash

# Uninstall + Install Helmut Client on macOS

# MoovIT
# Version 1.3
# Date: Apr 4th 2023

# Changelog: Mar 15th 2024
# Minor refactoring
# Verify existence of pkg installer

# Define variables for installer path and client version
helmutpath="/Volumes/MacHD/Users/Shared"
clientversion="4.9.0"
installpath="$helmutpath/Helmut_Client_Setup_$clientversion.pkg"

# Check if the installer package file exists
if [ ! -f "$installpath" ]; then
    echo "Error: Installer package file '$installpath' not found. Aborting."
    exit 1
fi

# Terminate running Helmut4 instance
pkill "Helmut4"
echo "Helmut process terminated"

# Delete users' moovIT panel cache
rm -rf "/Users/*/Library/Caches/CSXS/cep_cache/PPRO_*_de.moovit.HELMUT_ADOBE_INVISIBLE_PANEL"
rm -rf "/Users/*/Library/Caches/CSXS/cep_cache/PPRO_*_de.moovit.HELMUT"
rm -rf "/Users/*/Library/Caches/CSXS/cep_cache/AME_*_de.moovit.AME_WS"
# Old extension
rm -rf "/Users/*/Library/Caches/CSXS/cep_cache/PPRO_*_de.moovit.PREMIERE_WS"

# Delete all moovIT panel extensions (safeline version)
rm -rf "/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/de.moovit.AME_WS"
rm -rf "/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/de.moovit.HELMUT"
rm -rf "/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/de.moovit.HELMUT_ADOBE_INVISIBLE_PANEL"
# Old extensions
rm -rf "/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/de.moovit.PREMIERE_WS"

# Delete old Helmut4 application
rm -rf "/Applications/Helmut4.app"

# Install Helmut4
installer -pkg "$installpath" -target /Applications/

echo "Update finished"

# Display dialog message
osascript -e 'display dialog "Helmut4 client installed!" with title "MoovIT-Helmut4"'