What is new in Aspera for desktop?

IBM Aspera for desktop is a software product that provides easy access for secure, fast, and reliable file transfer solutions for Aspera servers. It offers various features, including high-speed transfers, bandwidth control, and real-time file synchronization.

The updates for IBM Aspera for desktop are released regularly, providing new functions and improvements. To stay informed about the latest updates, you can visit the official IBM Aspera website or sign up for product notifications. If you are not subscribed, go to the notification subscription service. In the Product lookup type IBM Aspera to receive the Aspera for desktop product notifications.

June 2026

June 1. Version 1.0.19.

Enhancements
  • Improved the application’s error view with a new Dismiss All action, making it faster to clear issues. Also fixed an issue where duplicate errors could occasionally appear in the list.
Resolved issues
  • Resolved an issue where in-app package uploads to Faspex 5 were failing.

May 2026

May 27. Version 1.0.18.

New features
  • Shares integration: Link Shares accounts using local user authentication. Supports file browsing, upload and download, and file synchronization. Requires IBM Aspera Shares 1.11.1 or later.
  • Windows: Keyboard shortcut to open the application log folder.
  • New RPC methods (integration support): Allow external applications to interact with the desktop app programmatically:
    • test_ssh_ports – Check TCP connectivity to a specified SSH port.
    • authenticate – Validate connectivity to a remote HSTS.
    • show_save_file_dialog – Open the system save dialog and return the selected path.
    • show_transfer_monitor – Display the transfer rate graph for a specific transfer.
    • show_transfer_manager – Open the Transfer Activity view.
    • show_about – Open the About view.
    • get_directory_listing – Browse and traverse directories.
Enhancements
  • Drag-and-drop reliability on Windows.
  • Automatic update error messages with more context.
  • Startup behavior when the database fails to load.
Resolved issues
  • Windows: Drag-and-drop resolving incorrect files.
  • Folder browser search text persisting after navigation.
  • Transfers from Shares not opening the Transfer Activity view.
  • macOS crashes in certain drag-and-drop scenarios.

April 2026

April 22. Version 1.0.17.

New features
  • HSTS

    Tree view - The tree view supports keyboard and mouse navigation, drag‑and‑drop transfers, and context menu actions. It allows single and multiple selection, batch operations, and loads items as needed when scrolling

December 2025

December 16. Version 1.0.16.

New features

October 2025

October 30. Version 1.0.15.

Enhancements
  • The application now uses a Windows EXE (.exe) installer that does not require elevated permissions to install the application. For more information, see: Installation.

September 2025

September 22. Version 1.0.14.

New features
  • Introduced the ability to decrypt .aspera-env files after download.
  • Enabled start and stop functionality for sync automation tasks.
  • Implemented customization for the default target rate in transfers.
  • Provided an option to force-start queued transfers.
  • Integrated support for setting a decryption passphrase in package automation.
Enhancements
  • Transfers now display the remaining time until completion.
Resolved isssues
  • Fixed an issue where the app was unable to sync with the HSTS root directory.
  • Corrected the async default target rate, which was previously set too low.
  • Resolved a problem where changing the transfer queue size required restarting the app.

July 2025

July 9 . Version 1.0.13.

Resolved issues
  • Unable to browse AoC accounts that have read-only home folders.
Enhancements
  • Queued transfers are preserved when the application restarts.

June 2025

June 26 . Version 1.0.12.

Enhancements
  • File and package transfers now require the correct decryption password. Transfers fail immediately if an incorrect password is provided, ensuring proper security during immediate decryption.
  • Enhanced AoC and Faspex 5 inbox handling by enabling separate accounts for each configuration to direct data to different local directories.

May 2025

May 19. Version 1.0.11.

New features
  • Implemented a diagram that displays live transfer activity to improve monitoring efficiency. To access it, start a transfer, click the three-dot menu, then select View speed.
Resolved issues
  • Fixed an issue where AoC users might need to log back in frequently.
  • Fixed other minor issues.

April 2025

April 22. Version 1.0.10.

New features
  • Added the ability to see the current status and details of the configured inbox and sync jobs.
  • This release adds support for configuring a deletion policy for sync jobs, including local and remote signature files.