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How to Update Cursor to the Latest Version: A Complete Guide

Keeping your Cursor IDE up to date ensures you have access to the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. This guide covers multiple methods to update Cursor and troubleshoot common update issues.

Automatic Updates​

The easiest way to update Cursor is through the automatic update feature:

  1. Open Cursor
  2. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) in the bottom left corner
  3. Select "Check for Updates"
  4. If an update is available, click "Download Update"
  5. Once downloaded, click "Restart to Update"

Manual Update Methods​

Method 1: Download Latest Version​

If automatic updates aren't working, you can manually download and install the latest version:

  1. Visit the official Cursor website
  2. Click "Download" to get the latest version
  3. Close your current Cursor instance
  4. Run the downloaded installer
  5. Follow the installation prompts

Method 2: Using Command Line (Windows)​

For Windows users who prefer command line:

# First, close Cursor
taskkill /F /IM "Cursor.exe"

# Remove existing installation
rd /s /q "%LocalAppData%\Programs\Cursor"

# Download and install the latest version
# You'll need to manually download and run the installer

Method 3: Using Terminal (macOS)​

For macOS users:

# First, close Cursor
killall Cursor

# Remove existing installation
rm -rf "/Applications/Cursor.app"

# Download and install the latest version
# You'll need to manually download and run the installer

Verifying Your Update​

To verify your Cursor version:

  1. Open Cursor
  2. Click Help > About
  3. Check the version number
  4. Compare with the latest version on the Cursor website

Troubleshooting Update Issues​

Common Issues and Solutions​

  1. Update Fails to Download

    • Check your internet connection
    • Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus
    • Clear the update cache: 
      # Windows
      rd /s /q "%LocalAppData%\Cursor\Cache"

      # macOS
      rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cursor/Cache

  2. Installation Errors

    • Ensure Cursor is completely closed
    • Run the installer as administrator
    • Clear temporary files: 
      # Windows
      rd /s /q "%temp%\Cursor"

      # macOS
      rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/Cursor

  3. Application Won't Start After Update

    • Uninstall completely and reinstall
    • Check system requirements
    • Verify file permissions

Advanced Troubleshooting​

If you're still experiencing issues:

  1. Clean Installation

    • Uninstall Cursor completely
    • Remove all related files and folders
    • Restart your computer
    • Install the latest version fresh

  2. Log File Analysis

    • Check update logs: 
      # Windows
      type "%LocalAppData%\Cursor\logs\main.log"

      # macOS
      cat ~/Library/Logs/Cursor/main.log

Best Practices​

  1. Before Updating

    • Save all open files
    • Backup your settings
    • Close all instances of Cursor
    • Check system requirements

  2. After Updating

    • Verify all extensions work
    • Test key features
    • Check settings persistence

Keeping Cursor Up to Date​

To ensure you always have the latest version:

  1. Enable automatic updates:
    • Settings > Updates > Check "Automatically download updates"
  2. Regularly check for updates manually
  3. Follow Cursor's release notes for new versions

System Requirements​

Ensure your system meets the minimum requirements:

  • Windows: Windows 10 or later
  • macOS: macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later
  • Linux: Ubuntu 20.04 or compatible distribution
  • RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended)
  • Storage: 1GB free space
  • Processor: Multi-core processor
  • Internet: Stable connection for updates

Conclusion​

Keeping Cursor updated is essential for the best development experience. Whether you prefer automatic updates or manual installation, this guide provides all the methods you need to keep your Cursor IDE current.

Last updated: February 2025 - This guide covers Cursor version 0.43 and later.