How to Update DaVinci Resolve: A Step-by-Step Guide

DaVinci Resolve is renowned for its advanced video editing, color grading, and audio post-production capabilities, making it a top choice for both professionals and enthusiasts.

To keep your software running smoothly and to gain access to the latest features and improvements, regularly update DaVinci Resolve. Whether you’re installing a minor update or moving from one major version to another, this step-by-step guide will help you through the process.

If you’re installing a newer version over your current installation, all you need to do is run the new installer—it will overwrite the previous version without losing any settings.

However, when updating from one major version to another, such as moving from Resolve 17 to 18 or 18 to 19, additional precautions must be taken. Always back up your project databases (now called project libraries starting in Resolve 18) before installing a major update. I’ll show you how to do that in the following steps.

Backing up individual projects using the Project Export feature (.drp files) is also highly recommended, especially for important or in-progress projects.

Side Note: As a best practice, export .drp backups at the end of each workday for projects that span multiple days, and store those backups on an external or secondary drive. This ensures that you have a safe fallback in case something happens to the database, project library, or system drive.

Let’s get started. Here is the step-by-step process.

DaVinci Resolve Update Prompt

Step 0: Back Up Your Existing Projects Before Updating

It’s recommended, and just good practice, to back up your projects. Especially when making a major revision update.

To back up your project, go to the File Menu, and select Export Project. The short cut is Ctrl+E on windows, and Cmd+E on Mac.

DaVinci Resolve Update BackUp Projects

A prompt will pop up for you to name the back up and select a location.

DaVinci Resolve Update BackUp

Step 1: Downloading the Latest Version of DaVinci Resolve

There are two ways to get the latest version of DaVinci Resolve. You can go directly to their website and download it, or the software itself will prompt you when an update is available.

I chose to download by clicking the prompt that popped up, but if you want to download it directly from the website and install it, I have a step-by-step guide on installing Resolve, which can be found here.

DaVinci Resolve Update Prompt

If you click out of the update box, or just want to check for updates, that can be done by clicking on “DaVinci Reslove”, next to the File menu, and then clicking “Check for Updates”.

DaVinci Resolve Update Check

Tips:

  • Make sure your system meets the requirements for the new update.
  • Back up your existing projects before updating.

Step 2: Starting the Installation Process

The software package will be download as a zip file. Extract this zip file, or double click on the executable within the zip file, and Windows will automatically extract it.

The program itself will then do another extraction to prepare for install.

Select the component you want to install/update, and click next.

DaVinci Resolve Update

Step 3: Accepting the Terms and Conditions

DaVinci Control Panels will be installed without any additional prompts.

DaVinci Resolve Update

The DaVinci Resolve Setup Wizard will then launch. Click next after the wizard checks that your computer meets the minimum requirements.

Accept the license agreement.

Accept the default install location, or select a new location.

Start the actual installation process.

DaVinci Resolve Update

Once Resolve is installed, select finish.


Step 4: Installation of Components

Screenshot Reference: 4

The installer offered various components such as DaVinci Control Panels, Fairlight Audio Accelerator, Visual C++ Redistributable, etc.

Depending on what you selected, those will now be installed


Step 5: Restart Your Computer

DaVinci Resolve Update

Step 6: Completing the Installation

Once installation is complete, click “OK”.

DaVinci Resolve Update

You can now launch DaVinci Resolve by clicking the shortcut on your desktop or from your applications folder.

DaVinci Resolve Installation Complete Windows

Conclusion:

Updating DaVinci Resolve ensures you’re always working with the latest tools, features, and performance improvements. With this guide, the process is simple and straightforward. If you run into any issues during installation, be sure to check the official support resources or reach out to their community forums.

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